Grants awarded for 2007-08                                                

  by David Bridgham, CDT - President WSC Inc.

In the past 7 years, WSC, Inc. has awarded $44,500 in competitive grants to dental lab associations in the eleven western states. These grants are designed to allow state associations to risk innovative programs that would be difficult, if not impossible, without the support of the regional conference.

In addition to the competitive grants, WSC, Inc. has supported the state associations’ efforts in promoting education with more than $31,000 to date.

Seven of our eleven western states applied for the 2007-08 competitive grants. We were able to award $1,500 each for a total of $10,500 in grants.

WSC, Inc. congratulates the following recipients of the WSC Inc. Competitive Grants for 2007-08:

1) NDLA (NV) - Membership drive and all day meeting in the fall of 2007 and early 2008. Expenses for a part time ex-director for this activity.

2) WSDLA (WA) - Web site redesign allowing for the posting of newsletters, photos and meeting registration information. This will enhance the state association’s effectiveness.

3) CDLA (CA) - Software and hardware for improved web site that will feature newsletters, membership directory, member only section and other links. Grant will fund “Dreamweaver” software and services to maintain and make changes in-house.

4) ADLA (AZ) - Summer educational weekend in Flagstaff for two 8 hr. CE classes as well as OSHA classes.

5) OADL (OR) - Traveling C.E. courses at regional sites for member and non-member labs for up to 3 hrs. of C.E. This is an addition to Oregon’s outreach program for membership development.

6) ISDLA (ID) - Hope to double attendance at annual meeting with grant $$ for speakers. This is building on last year’s success that WSC’s grant helped make possible.

7) DLAM (MT) - An enhanced C.E. meeting that includes an 8 hour seminar and a one hour infection control class.

WSC, Inc. is a federation of eleven western states’ dental laboratory associations that creates a forum for these states at its annual spring conference in Reno—this year May 1-3 — and is a strong advocate for the National Association of Dental laboratories.  WSC, Inc. also maintains this website - www.wsci.us. These activities keep all eleven western states in touch with each other and helps promote each state’s activities.

The competitive grant application process is administered by President David Bridgham, CDT, Secretary/Treasurer Charles Lemke, CDT, and Trustee Scott Dyer, CDT.