The American Dental Association has announced Loree Bolin, DDS, as the 2020 Humanitarian Award recipient for improving quality of life and oral health in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Bolin, 65, founded the Health & Hope Foundation in 2014 after 25 years practicing family dentistry in Lake Stevens, Wash. The foundation works with local leaders in Tanzania to promote sustainable changes in disease prevention, economic opportunity and education.
The dentist also created the Tumaini Tutor School program, which provides free tutoring and a nutrition program to orphaned and vulnerable children in Tanzania. In addition, Dr. Bolin established the Women's Business Program, which offers business training and mentorship to Tanzanian women. Over 45 businesses established though the program were run by women in 2018, according to a foundation report.
The ADA donates $10,000 to a dental project of the recipient's choice — in this case, to the Health & Hope Foundation.