A smile...pass it on

“So, is it a command or a request?”

What? I was standing in line at the grocery store, double checking that I got everything that I came in to get. I must have had a very puzzled look on my face as I looked at the older gentleman in line ahead of me. He repeated, “Is that a command or a request?” as he pointed at my Smile Generation t-shirt.

“Well,” I replied, “I suppose most people smile when they look at it, so it must just be a given.”

“Hmmm…” he said fighting off a smile of his own, “I just have fun reading people’s t-shirts.”

I explained to him, “If you were out at the Irvine Marketplace at lunch time today, you would’ve seen a few hundred of us wandering around with this shirt on. It’s for the launch of our new website called The Smile Generation.”

I turned around so he could read the back of my shirt. “We have several hundred dental offices across 5 states.”

He just smiled at me, so I smiled back. He said, “You have a nice smile.”

I replied, “We have good dentists.”

He laughed.

When he got to the register, the checker asked if he wanted to donate $1 to the City of Hope for pediatric cancer research. He said he would, and she asked him to write his name on one of the cards they hang up around the store. Instead of writing his name, he pointed to me and said, “I want to write down her company’s name because she’s just been so nice. And I like her smile.” I flashed him my pearly whites again, thanking Dr. Reagan and Dr. Buehler in my head for all the work they did in my mouth. Then I turned around so he could see the back of the shirt and get the spelling right.

I smiled and said, “Thank you,” and he smiled back before gathering his groceries and wishing me a good day.

How do I wear my t-shirt? Well, I started wearing mine for charity:water. Then I wore it so I could wear a t-shirt and jeans to work. Next thing you know, I’m wearing it for pediatric cancer research. How will you wear it?

The t-shirts have been printed and they’re being stacked in the boxes, they’ll be loaded on the truck to be shipped to your office.  The t-shirts are almost here but we still haven’t reached our goal.

$20 is all it takes.  $20 is 4 trips to Starbucks, its outfield seats at the Angels game, it’s a top from Forever 21, but for one person it can be clean drinking water for 20 years.

That’s the donation we are looking for as part of our charity: water “Smile Gen Days” campaign.  So far we have raised $16,153 towards clean drinking water.  But we’re only half way there.  The goal is $30,000.

So donate today at www.mycharitywater.org/smilegen and wear your shirt with pride, the question is how will you wear it?

Each weekday from now until June 11^th we will show a new video of members of the PDS Family wearing their shirts.  Make sure you come back to see what’s next.

DrBicuspid.com recently posted an article by our President Steve Thorne. Steve focuses on “optimizing your practice” in these changing economic times in an article entitled”The Art of Modern Denstistry”.  Visit Dr. Bicuspid and check it out:

http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=pmt&pag=dis&ItemID=304372&wf=34

The Cover of HOW Magazine

“32 Reasons” is the name of Pacific Dental Services corporate brochure. It provides “32 Reasons” to join Pacific Dental Services.

32 Reasons Featured in HOW Magazine

Well we now have one more reason to be proud of “32 Reasons”. Our brochure was listed as the 16th best Brochure-Merit category in How Magazine’s 2010 International Design Awards. How Magazine is an industry leading design magazine.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

The Red Cross team working their magic.

100 lives. In one day 33 brave people were able to save 100 lives for 30 minutes of their time. It’s incredible isn’t it?

When you see the poster on the wall promoting the event or you recieve an e-mail in your inbox your first thought isn’t (at least mine isn’t) “man I can save 3 people’s lives today”. It’s more like” I’ve got so much work to do today how can I find the time.” or “Do I really want to get poked in the arm?”  But when I really look at it; I saved 3 lives today.

Albert and John from the IT team, doing their part.

I’m not a doctor, I’m not a dentist. I don’t save lives.   I’m in Marketing, I spend my day trying to convince you how cool things are or why you can’t live without my product or service.  But not today, today I’m a life saver.  So thank you 33 brave life savers for giving up your time, your arm, and your blood. Thank you to everyone who volunteered who wasn’t able to give, all of  you made a difference today.

Michelle Moreno showing off her new Cheetah Snuggy

If saving lives isn’t cool enough, think how great Michelle Moreno felt she won a cheetah print Snuggie in the blood drive raffle.  Looking good Michelle!

We’re going to do it again in November and maybe next time you’ll get the chance to save a life.  If you’re not here at support contact your local Red Cross.

Give blood and save a life or maybe 3.

Dr. Raether and her family celebrate with Linda Ryan, Joe Saporito, and Marvine Martinez

First off we want to congratulate Dr. Gail Raether for becoming Colorado’s first owner doctor. Dr. Raether provides the clinical leadership at River Point Dental Group and Orthodontics in Sheridan. Congratulations Dr. Raether.

Regional Partner Joe Saporito presents Dr. Raether with a key to her future.

We also wanted to recognize our January “I’m a Big Deal Winner” Ryan Lucio who also is from River Point Dental Group in Sheridan where he serves as the Operations Manager.

Dr. Ashleigh Harrison, Dr. Vidhya Sampath and Regional Partner Joe Saporito congratulate Operations Manager Ryan Lucio.

Ryan was the unanimous choice this month! His team sent in wonderful stories regarding his character, team spirit, professional attire, commitment to excellence, PPE, and his professional daily attitude and demeanor under any circumstances!

Way to go Colorado, don’t stop a rockin!

Congratulations to our Colorado PDS November “I’m a Big Deal Award” – Employee of the Month

Dr. Tuchklaper is Kind of a Big Deal

Dr. Scott Tuchklaper – Associate Dentist from Orchard Dental Group and Orthodontics in Westminster, CO.

Dr T won a $250 Gift Certificate to Knezel Photography for a Family Photo with his brand new sweet baby daughter, and a commemorative plaque.

The Colorado Region “I’m a Big Deal Award”  Award Criteria is:

Must be Excellent in the following areas

• Can do attitude, passion and purpose
• Perfect Patient Experience
• Attendance
• Appearence
• Teamwork

Great job Dr. T!

Congratulations to our first Colorado PDS “Rockstar Employee of the Month”

Left to Right: Linda Ryan, Debbi Rogers, Samantha Mastreno, Joe Saporito

Samantha Mastreno – Operations Manager Trainee from Prominent Point Dental Group in Colorado Springs.

Samantha received a $100 Visa Gift card, Free Boost, and a beautiful trophy.

The Colorado Region PDS Rockstar Award Criteria is:

Must be Excellent in the following areas

• Can do attitude, passion and purpose
• Perfect Patient Experience
• Attendance
• Appearence
• Teamwork

Great job Samantha!

COMOM Volunteers Hard At Work

On Sept 11th and 12th at the Adams County Regional Park Complex in Brighton, CO over 800 people volunteered at the Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) event.  COMOM is a large-scale dental clinic where more than 100 portable dental stations are set up in a public arena, and dental screenings and services are provided at no charge to those who attend. This weekend alone COMOM served over 1,300 patients that underwent over 6,000 procedures amounting to over $973,000 in free dental care.

The Colorado Region of Pacific Dental Services had over 40 team members that were part of the COMOM volunteer team. It was an incredible effort by Regional Support Manager Linda Ryan and her team as she was able to recruit 50 percent of the total Colorado team to serve at the event. The team went above and beyond the call of duty, performing multiple jobs throughout the two days and doing whatever task was necessary. Many of the team members stayed past their committed time frame continuing to assist in the serving of patients.

A satisfied patient.

Patients began getting in line at 11 pm on Thursday evening hoping to be first in line when the dental clinic opened their doors Friday at 5am. Procedures that were completed were cleanings, fillings, some root canal treatments, temporary partial dentures/denture repair, and extractions.

Many of the attendees hadn’t seen the dentist in years due to lack of dental insurance and simply not having the money for proper dental care.  One common theme was that parents in attendance had sacrificed their own oral health for the oral health of their children. This was an opportunity for the parents as well as the children to finally see a dentist.

Dr. O'Neill helping those in the community.

After treatment patients were provided with instructions on how to care for their teeth and received a hygiene package filled with a toothbrush and toothpaste. The attendees were eternally grateful for all of the volunteers that had participated and the care that they received. “You gave me something I’d never be able to do on my own…a smile!” said one of the COMOM patients.

This weekend was an amazing example of people doing something for others without thought of something in return.