‘Mission of Mercy' to New Orleans

About two years ago, Hurricane Katrina affected thousands of people. The devastation and chaos brought about by Katrina left many families homeless and without hope of recovery.
It is in such times that people like Dr. Scott Danoff, D.D.S., made a significant difference in many lives.
Danoff, a 50-year-old prosthodontist from Great Neck, felt compelled to go to the New Orleans area to offer his dental skills after reading an article about the hurricane in the American Dental Association News.
&#8220It did not take me long to decide to go and I also decided to bring my two oldest daughters, 21-year-old Katie and 19-year-old Jaclyn along with me.
More than a hundred dentists from 34 states joined Danoff on a &#8220Mission of Mercy,” to help put a smile back on the faces of the people of New Orleans. It took Danoff about two weeks to gather the necessary supplies to create a portable lab.
He also contacted the local prosthodontists in New Orleans to inquire about volunteers.
Once there, Danoff felt as if he had transplanted into a scene from the series &#8220M*A*S*H.” &#8220I expected Hawkeye and Trapper John to walk by,” Danoff said in describing his experience in New Orleans.
Despite terrible weather conditions, Danoff remembers that people began forming a line at 2 a.m. the night before their dental treatment facility was set to open.
After days of nearly non-stop work Danoff, who was helped by daughters Katie and Jaclyn and the other dentists helped over 3500 hundred people who were in dire need of dental care.
Asked whether he would go on a similar mission - if there ever should be the need - he said, &#8220I would go on another one of these missions in the drop of a hat.”
Danoff serves as a great example of a doctor who makes a difference. Since the &#8220mission of mercy,” he has volunteered for charities like &#8220Give Back a Smile.” This program assists those who have been the victims of domestic violence.
Wanting to show high school students how important it is to help, Danoff invites in students from the local high school so they can watch him at work.
His charitable work reaches overseas as well. Danoff belongs to a group that collects money for the Alyn Hospital, a total rehabilitation center for children in Jerusalem.
&#8220There is no question I would recommend these kinds of activities for anyone who wants to feel good about themselves, while making a difference in someone's life,” Danoff said.
He still remembers how grateful everyone in New Orleans was. One woman went back home after her treatment and returned just four hours later with a homemade cake. It was the only way she had of showing her gratitude to Danoff and the other dentists on the mission.
Danoff reflected, &#8220These patients were amongst the most appreciative I have ever seen in 23 years of practice.”
Anyone interested in helping others in need and would like further information on &#8220Give Back a Smile,” should contact Dr. Scott Danoff 516-606-4922.