Smiles for Haiti

Posted by Kyle Guerin and Chris Lorenz | February 3, 2010

“I had previously donated to the Red Cross to help Haiti and then I saw a special segment on CNN and I knew I had to do more.” said San Clemente Owner Doctor Darin Reagan.   That’s exactly what Dr. Reagan and his team at San Clemente Dental Group did.

The office decided that they would volunteer their services, come in on a Saturday and partner with their patients.  San Clemente Dental Group contacted their patients through e-mail and phone to offer an opportunity to receive previously diagnosed dentistry for a flat donation to the Red Cross in support of Haiti.

“We wanted to do something to make a difference and help those poor people and this was a way to get involved.” said Barb Vartanian office manager.  The office targeted patients who needed a crown or an onlay so that they could put their CEREC machine to work and provide patients with the “right fit” all in a day.

It was a great opportunity for the patient to get a great deal with a tax write-off, receive the dentistry they needed, and help someone in need.  Talk about a win, win, win for the patient.

Dr. Reagan and his team were able to win as well because it allowed them to strengthen their relationship with their patients and use their talents to help others who desperately need assistance.  At the end of the day the San Clemente team was able to see 10 patients and raise $5,000 for the victims of Haiti.

Great work Dr. Reagan, Barb, and the rest of the San Clemente team.

You can also watch the above video on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlXrxnteg8E

Tags: dental, haiti, Outreach, red cross, san clemente, san clemente dental group, we serve
Posted in Dentist, Outreach, Stories, modern dentistry | Comments

Colorado Mission of Mercy

Posted by Kyle Guerin | September 28, 2009

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.

Tags: colorado, comom, free dentistry, Outreach, Volunteer, we serve
Posted in Outreach, Uncategorized | Comments

we serve: water

Posted by Kyle Guerin | September 4, 2009

In the dental industry we use water everyday. We use it to cool our hand pieces, we use it to rinse, both with the spray and in the sink, and in the simplest form we use it when we brush our teeth. Now we are going to use it to change someone’s life.

One billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water.  That’s one in six of us.  Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.  Many people in the developing world, usually women and children, walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick.  PDS decided we wanted to help.

Pacific Dental Services agreed to donate $1 for every CAD/CAM Restoration done in the month of August to the non-profit organization charity: water.  The goal was to raise $10,000 to build two wells.  Through the hard work of the individual offices and the generous donations amongst employees, affiliated dentists and two partnering labs PDS was able to raise $11,800 and provide clean water to 590 people for the next 20 years.

To learn more about charity: water check out their website at www.charitywater.org

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AqlLyLeJuQ&feature=player_profilepage

Tags: cad cam, charity water, we serve, wells
Posted in Outreach, Stories | Comments