What happens to an old crown or bridge when it’s removed at the dentist’s office? For many patients, the material is of no further use. Yet the precious metals it contains can still be worth a considerable amount—and can make a big difference when donated. Dentists for Africa has been collecting dental gold and other precious metals for many years. They are professionally recycled, and the proceeds benefit the organization’s work in Kenya. Dental practices play an important role in this effort: They can inform their patients about the option to donate right during their treatment and collect the donated precious metals. The example of Dr. Reinhard Bocker and his practice, JENzahn, in Jena shows just how easily this can be integrated into everyday practice.
Dr. Reinhard Bocker has been collecting precious metal donations for Dentists for Africa since 2024. The dentist is familiar with the organization’s work not just from a distance: He has served in Kenya himself and has seen firsthand where support is needed and what a difference it can make. When old dental work is removed during a treatment, Bocker asks his patients about the possibility of making a donation. His experience shows that when patients take the material home, they often just leave it lying around afterward. “I have a few patients who took the metal home and actually intended to sell it. In the end, they didn’t go through with it—it’s just lying around somewhere.” The alternative is simple: With the patients’ consent, the precious metal can remain directly at the practice and be donated. A certificate in the waiting room also provides information about this commitment.
High Willingness to Donate
Bocker has found the willingness to donate to be exceptionally high. After less than a year of collecting, his practice was able to hand over 4,833.72 euros in precious metal donations to Dentists for Africa by the end of 2024. At that time, he estimated that around 90 percent of the patients approached had donated their old gold. “We are overwhelmed by our patients’ willingness to donate and thank each and every one of them for their support,” said Bocker during the handover ceremony at the time.
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Based on his experience, Bocker cannot confirm that collecting precious metals involves a significant amount of extra work for a dental practice. On the contrary: “That’s nonsense—it’s no trouble at all.” He also finds the conversations about it to be positive: “Patients donate their precious metals and, quite rightly, feel good about it.” The fact that he himself went on a mission to Kenya in 2015 and got to know the projects on the ground plays an important role here. Bocker can speak from personal experience about what Dentists for Africa does and why he decided to support the organization.
He doesn’t think large-scale campaigns in the dental office are necessary for this. In his view, well-presented information in the waiting room and a personal conversation are enough to make patients aware of this opportunity.
Collect precious metals through your dental practice or as a private individual: What works for Dr. Bocker in Jena can easily be implemented in other dental practices as well. Dentists for Africa provides collection boxes, information for patients, and the necessary documentation. Our contact person, Dr. Andreas Pathe, answers questions and helps practices get started. Private individuals can also participate: Anyone who still has dental gold, old crowns, or other dental restorations containing precious metals at home can donate them directly to Dentists for Africa.