NWR- Northern CA, Nevada SWR- Southern CA, Arizona MWR- Illinois, Texas ER- New York, New Jersey PR- Hawaii, Guam
NWR- Northern CA, Nevada SWR- Southern CA, Arizona MWR- Illinois, Texas ER- New York, New Jersey PR- Hawaii, Guam
NAFDA or National Association of Filipino Dentists in America is dedicated to advancing the dental profession and promoting the highest standard of oral health and oral healthcare.
Established in 1983, NAFDA is a voluntary membership organization for Filipino-American dentists in the United States. We provide continuing education, advocacy and other services for dentists and public information to promote good dental health. NAFDA is comprised of local dental societies throughout the United States that provide continuing education and service programs in their local communities.
NAFDA is a US-Based non-profit organization headquartered in California. We serve both Filipino and Filipino-American communities both locally and in the Philippines. Our missions in the Philippines serves the impoverished urban poor and rural areas of the Philippines with sustainable healthcare through surgical outreach programs with the cleft operation, primary care missions with medical, optical and dental missions, public health projects with livelihood program and provide water deep well system, scholarship for dental students and dental education training programs.
NAFDA is a state licensed non-profit health organization with the exclusive purpose to provide charitable dental care treatment and preventive dental health education on a long-term basis to children and adults living in deep poverty in the developing countries in the world. Dentists, health professionals, and non-health volunteers are needed on each team. While sharing our skills and resources with the underserved rural populations, team members will have an opportunity to experience the unique beauty of the country and its people that most tourists do not come to know.
(photo) NAFDA February 2019 South San Francisco, Ca. Speaker Dr. Anne Koch
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!
(photo) Dr Ditas Lizan oSan Diego Filipino Dental and CEU Dental Alumni USAwith our youngest cleft patient. St. Jude Hospital 2017 Thank you Dr Ely Blanes.
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
(photo) Bless the Children Foundation, Tondo Philippines 2017
52 Children received an eyeglasses. Thank you Dr Viven Abante and Dr Maricar Galdiano of SDFDA.
History of Nafda
T.M. Nayan, DDS, Historian.
Late in 1982, when the concept of forming a national assocation for Filipino dentist in America was made known, it was readily accepted with great interest and enthuiasm. This was due to the realization of the need for unity among Filipino dentists in America. Not only that, there was a moral consciousness to offer encouragement and some forms of assistance to the unlicensed colleagues. There was also the sense of responsibility to protect, present and be concerned with the interests of the members as well as the public that this profession serves. And then, there is also the need to enchance the image of the Filipino dentists in America thru the pursuit of high professional skill and excellence by way of continuing education participation.
Upon the initiative of Dr. Teofilio M. Nayan of Oakbrook Illinois, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO DENTIST IN AMERICA became a reality but not without the support and active participation of the sounding Members. In Chicago, he sought the support of the following colleagues; Dr. Alfredo C Azcona of Willowbrook, Illinois; Dr. Emma Alandy of Oakbrook, Illinois. Dr. Emma J. Ramos of Chicago; Dr. Narciso Hilo of Northbrook, Illinois; Dr. Amor Richards of Chicago; Dr. Lamberto Tomo Jr., of Orland Park, Illinois and Dr. Antonio Dumantay of Chicago. They all supported him.
On November 4, 1982, during the convention of the American Dental Assocation in Las Vegas, Nevada, conferences were set up with Filipino dental leaders in California. In one meeting, the following were present: Dr. Vicente de Ocampo, Jr. of San Franciscio; Dr. Daniel Barrientos of Los Angeles and Dr. Carlos Manlapaz of Los Angeles. Present at this meeting as observers were Dr. Primo E. Gonzalez, chairman, Phillippine Board of Dentistry and Dr. Diampo Lim, President of both Dr. Edgardo de la Vega, member of the California Board of Dental Examiners and Dr. Maria Paz mayoral pledged strong support in all these talks, there were pledges and strong suggestions for a strong association. Dr. Edgardo de la Vega became one of the strongest advocate of the association.
In New York City, during the greatest New York Winter Meeting in November of 1982. Dr Nayan also held informal conferences with those he became in contact with, spreading the word about the plan from a national organization of Filipino dentists. The first three dentist to show enthuiasm and interest were Dr. Orlando Sanidad of Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Emelda Sanidad of Baltimore, Maryland. and Dr. Manuel Cunanan, from Rhode Island. They became the advocates of the association in the eastern region.
After two postpontments, the organizational meeting was finally held in the downtown Conrad Hilton Hotel, Dining Room Number 414 in Chicago, Illinois on March 12, 1983.
Due to unavoidaible circumstances, some who pledge to attend were not able to come. The following were in attendance; Dr. Teofilo M. Nayan of Oakbrook Illinois, Edgardo de la Vega of Los Angeles, Marcelino Gamboa of San Francisco, Oscar Domondon of Los Angeles, Alfredo C. Azcona of Willowbrook, Illinois. Antonio de la Paz of Lawton, Oklahoma, Orlando S. Sanidad of Baltimore, Manuel Cunanan of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Maria Magat of San Francisco, Emma J. Ramos of Chicago, Emma Alandy of -akbrook Illinois, John. C. Bides of Los Angeles, Miguel S.L Ceronimo of San Franciscio, Narcisco Hilio of Northbrook, Illinois, Antonio Jimniez of San Francisco, Daniel V. Lapuz of San Franciscio, Maria Paz Mayoral of Los Angeles, Vicente de Ocampo, Jr. of San Francisco, Eugenia T. Panganiban of Los Angeles, Armando N. Sadorra of Bellflower, California. Emelda P. -Sanidad of Baltimore, Fernando Santiago of WSunnyvale, Califronia, Ricardo Tapidador of Waukegan, Illinois, Lamberto Torno Jr. of Orland Park, Illinois, Eliseo D. Trinidad of Oakland California, Felax A. Valde of Oxnard, California, Mario I. Velada of San Francisco, Arturo E. Villanueva of Los Angeles and Antonio Domantay of Chicago.
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 P.M. on the day of March 12, 1983. The delegation voted for Dr. Nayan to preside over the meeting. After the proposed Constitution and By-Laws, as drafted by Dr. Nayan, were discussed corrected and improved the ratification was done. After all other business were taken up, immediately an interim Election Committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Vicente de Ocampo, Jr. The election of officersproceeded and the Election Committee made known as the result as follows;
President - Teofilio M. NAyan, DDS
President Elect - Edgardo de La Vega. DDS
Vice President - Western Region
North - Marcelino Gamboa, DMD
South - Oscar Domondon, DDS
Central Region
North - Alfredo C. Azcona, DMD
South - Antonio de la Paz, DMD
Eastern Region
North - Manuel Cunan, DMD
South - Orlando S. Sanidad, DMD
Secetary - Marie Magat, DMD
Treasurer - Emma J. Ramos, DMD
BOARD OF GOVENORS: All otheres not elected were by unanimous vote of the body became MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.
Mrs. Cel de Vega became the first President of the Auxilary. In the evening, the officers and members of the Board of Govenors were inducted into the office at the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial CEnter. The inducing officer was Dr. Lucito Gamboa, the founder of the ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE PRACTICING PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA. Dr. Daniel V. Lapuz acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Dinner was served thru the courtesy of the Philippine American Dental Societiy of the Midwest. Vice Consul Edwardo Fernandez and his wife were guests representing the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago. He praised the NAFDA and wished it was the very best in years to come.
In April and May of 1983, the NAFPDA NEWSLETTER was published and circulated to the membership. Dr. Armando Sadorra, Publicity Chairman became the editor. The cost of the first issuer was donated by Dr and Mrs. Edgardo de la Vega.
On April 5, 1983 the NAFPDA was oficially incorporated under the statues of the State of Illinois as a Not for Profit Corporation NO. 26575625 with Employer No. 36-3227709. The following were the incorporators namely: Dr. Emma J. Ramos of Chicago, Dr. Emma Alandy of Oakbrook, Illinois and Dr. Alfredo C. Azcona of Willowbrook Illinois.
On April 9, 1983, the western region meeting was held at the Sierra Room of the Disneyland Hotel hosted by the Southern California under the leadership of Dr. Art Villanueva.
In the May issue of the NAFPDA NEWSLETTER, the first political victory was announced. The victory relates to the defeat of a bill that would have to require a foreign dental graduate to undergo additional dental education, to be prescribed by the California Dental Board of Examiners, in order to be permitted to take subsequent licensure examinations.
The bill was known as Assembly Bill No. 1028. The bill was defeated by the concerted efforts of the following: Dr. Art Villanueva and Dr. Nemesio Retuta who acted immediately and raised funds to hire buses to transport members from San Francisco to Sacramento in short notice; Dr. Edgardo de la Vega and Dr. Oscar Domondon testified against the bill citing its discriminatroy nature difficulty of enforcement and too expensive to implement. Other leaders were strategists against the bill were Dr. Dan Lapuz, the Task Force Comitee Chairman, Dr. Marie Magat, Secretary; Dr. Marcelino Gamboa, Northwest regional Vice President of NAFPDA; Dr. Miguel Geronimo, Dr. John Bides and Dr. Mario Velada. There were many other unnamed participants.
On May 27, 1982. a Northwestern Regional Meeting was held at the La Baie Restaurant in Burlingame California let by Northwestern Regional Vice President, Dr. Marcelino Gamboa. Other officers involved were Dr. Antonio Jiminez, Membership Commitee Chairman, Dr. Daniel V Lapuz, Dr Edgardo de la Vega. President Elect; Dr. Teofilio M. Nayan, President of NAFPDA NEWSLETTER was in attendance. The meeting was attended by almost fifty prospective members. All non-members signed up for membership that day.
On July 3, 1983, the second Board of Governor Meeting was held at the Biarritz Conference Room of the Riviera Room in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Romeo Basa Chairman of International Relations Commitee, lectured on "Dental and Musculo-skeletal Dysfunction".
In the August issue of JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, the NAFPDA annual meeting on September 30 and October 1, 1983 annoucement was listed in the List of Meetings page.
President- Noel Aguilar, DMD
Secretary- Maria Carmelita Galdiano, DDS
Assistant Secretary- Samuel Soliven, DDS
Treasurer- Ditas Lizan, DDS
Asst Treasurer- Dulce Vargas Loo, DDS
PRO San Diego- Florence Zaide, DDS
PRO San Diego- Ida Alfonso, DDS
PRO San Diego- Marylyn Agbuya, DDS
PRO San Diego- Lea Zolina, DDS
PRO Los Angeles- Jovy Barcena, DDS
PRO Los Angeles- Mor Usita, DDS
PRO Los Angeles- Mayjakie Gamboa, DDS
PRO San Francisco- Eileen Espina, DDS
PRO San Francisco- Lisa Pena, DDS
PRO San Francisco- Suzette Villanueva, DDS
Board of Directors
San Diego- Viven Abante, DDS
San Diego- Nita Largoza, DDS
San Diego- Virginia Mattson, DDS
Los Angeles- Ricardo Gutierrez, DDS
Los Angeles- Donna Calima, DDS
Los Angeles- Frank Ilem, DDS
New York- Nida Soriano, DDS
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