Meet jay grossman

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jay Grossman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jay below.

Jay, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
I was raised by my parents in Long Island NY. My mother, who has a Master’s Degree in counseling, choose to be a stay at home mom until I was a mid-teenager, and my father, chose a local job that had no travel and low stress so that he can be a participating father. The one-income family had financial challenges, like so many people, yet my parents were very giving. I recall bringing a youth from Harlem to our home one summer, and I introduced him as my cousin – not knowing that we were not related. My parents ultimately taught me to be color blind and philanthropic regardless of financial circumstances.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Founder of Concierge Dentistry, our mission is to deliver the finest dental care available. Using state-of-the-art dental technology, we provide modern imaging capabilities that allow you to clearly see the reasons for procedures and the intended results. We recognize that patients are individuals with different goals and needs, and we strive to provide a soothing and educational environment where extraordinary results are realized.

When I opened my private practice, after serving as a dental officer in the United States Navy, I also founded Homeless Not Toothless (HNT) in 1992. When passing veterans begging on the street near the Los Angeles VA, I decided giving money was no longer sufficient. One day, while reaching for another dollar bill to hand out to another homeless man, I handed him my business card instead and said, ‘Let me see what I can do about getting you out of pain and replacing those missing teeth so you can function by eating and look good for a job interview. That’ll give you more benefit than my giving you a buck.”

In the beginning, the Venice Family Center (VFC), a nonprofit that provides free health care services to the underserved located minutes away from Dr. Jay’s practice, quickly became a partner for HNT. Together, rules and guidelines were created for what is now HNT. First and foremost, all patients must prove a minimum of 90 days of sobriety, and secondly, all patients must be actively engaged in finding work.

Today, most of our patients are referred by the Veterans Health Administration, LA Department of Family Services, and local shelters.

CURRENT OPERATIONS
Since its inception in 1992, Homeless Not Toothless has provided more than $8.5 million in services to over 123,000 patients! The dentists who volunteer their time pay for all expenses and work with labs who donate their services.

Just over a decade after opening the HNT doors, Dr. Jay had the opportunity to join forces with actress and philanthropist Sharon Stone in her nonprofit, Planet Hope. Since then and together, the two rebuilt a dental facility to extend free dental care to the 28,000 foster youth living in Los Angeles.

My goal is to expand Homeless Not Toothless nationwide. This is my way of giving back to my community and doing what I can in helping to repair the world.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My mantra, chose, change and value, all came from famous quotes

Make a wise choice every day. Either Mark Twain or Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be the change you want to see in the world- Mahatma Ghandhi

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. – Albert Einstein

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My wife of 36 years. There are 8 billion people on this planet, choosing the right person to live with, to support your dreams, to inspire you, to lift you up when needed, and to be the wind under your wings always…is crucial
Choose the right partner in business and in love

Contact Info:

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