News & Events

Operation: Healthy Smiles 2010

Set to kick-off on September 1st, this year’s direct-ask campaign geared to raise funds to help cover costs of providing vital dental care to children in our County who are either under-insured or have no insurance at all will once again feature the Spirit of Giving dedication cards. In exchange for your tax-deductible donation of a set amount, you can elect to receive these cards which will allow you to express “Thanks” at any time of year to friends, colleagues, business partners, patients, etc., when an ordinary thank you card or gift is not enough.

Whether or not you choose to take advantage of the dedication cards, we hope you will take advantage of this giving opportunity before the end of the year. At the same time, you will be helping to ensure access to children’s dental care for low-income children at La Clinica de Tolosa.

SIP for SMILES @ EBERLE WINERY, April 30, 2010

On April 30th 2010, Eberle Winery played ‘host’ to what is hoped to become an annual North County affair.   Dubbed as a “week un-winder”, this year’s two hour event featured Eberle wines, appetizers prepared by the Paso Culinary Academy, and a live performance from musician Janine Eleich.  Art Kishiyama of Olio Nuevo olive oil and Danika Reed of Vivant Fine Cheese were also on hand with an impressive displays and samplings of their artisan products.  A 50/50 raffle offering the chance to win half the cash or 3 bottles of Eberle wine, including a magnum of their coveted Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, raised $650.  Larry Guittard, DDS and his wife Robin were the very lucky winners of both!!!  They elected to keep the wine but generously donated back the cash winnings!      

Dispelling the “CSI Effect” Myth: 
An overview of Contemporary Forensic Dentistry

Dr. Cardoza receives plaque in appreciation from PTC board member James Oates DDS and board vice president Maureen Titus RDHAP BS

Given the current popularity of forensic fair in television, the general public has gotten a skewed view of the true nature of forensic investigation.  This issue is commonly known as the “CSI effect”. 

On Friday, June 4th, Dr. Anthony “Rick” Cardoza, a forensic dental consultant for the County of San Diego, County of Imperial, State of California Department of Justice, and Director of the California Dental Identification Team addressed a group of dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants to dispel this myth as it relates to forensic odontology.  Talking points included forensic dental identification of decedents of varying postmortem states including: skeletal, fragmented, decomposed, burned remains and pattern injuries as they relate to bite mark investigation not only in human bites but animal bites as well.   The half-day continuing education course worth 4 CEU’s took place at the PG&E Community Center in San Luis Obispo and registration fees went to benefit La Clinica de Tolosa.

4th annual SUNSET BBQ – most successful on record!

Host Ron Brunick with PTC board member Dave Booker and wife Jennifer.

The home of Dr. Ron Brunick set the stage once again for the 4th annual SUNSET BBQ on Saturday, June 5th which turned out to be the most successful year on record in terms of attendance (184 people) and net proceeds of over $20,000!  Many would say the weather was a key factor—it happened to reach into the 90’s that day!  However, general consensus agrees success is attributed to several key ingredients that have been consistent since its beginning:  the incomparable venue, the much-in-demand band Unfinished Business, the barbeque dinner prepared by Kiwanis SLO de Tolosa, appetizers from Corner View Restaurant & Bar, and wine tasting from several local wineries.  This year’s wineries included Adelaida Cellars, Eberle Winery, St. Hilaire Vineyards, Tolosa Winery, and Wood Winery.

Additional highlights of the evening included a Themed Parties & Events Auction and a 50/50 Raffle which offered the chance to win The MAG-nificent ‘Virtual’ Baker’s Dozen bottles of wine, which actually amounted to 14(!!!) magnums, or half the cash collected from raffle ticket sales.  

Next year’s event is already in the works---mark your calendar for Saturday, June 4th---and keep checking this website for updates. 

Good News

Dr. James Forester promoted to Lead Pediatric Dentist at La Clinica de Tolosa

James Forester, DDS joined the staff at La Clinica de Tolosa in 2007 after completing his pediatric residency at Lutheran Medical Center at St. Joseph Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.  As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Forester brought with him specialized skills including child behavior management skills, surgical skills and licensing to administer oral sedation medications, and fluency in clinical dental Spanish.  This skill set has greatly reduced the number of children receiving dental care in the hospital setting, and has equated to more children in the 0-5 age group being treated more effectively and efficiently at La Clinica de Tolosa.  With him, Dr. Forester also brought his compassion and sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of children who need help the most.  His dedication has greatly influenced the staff at the clinic---some would say its ‘infectious’---which led to the decision to promote Dr. Forester to the position of Lead Pediatric Dentist in January of 2010

Second Pediatric Specialist Joins Staff at La Clinica de Tolosa

Dr. Irma Perez-Martinez, a dual-trained pediatric dentist and orthodontist, is the most recent addition to staff at La Clinica de Tolosa (as of March 31, 2010) after completing her residency at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry.  Completely fluent in Spanish, Dr. Perez-Martinez (or “Dr. Irma” as she is affectionately referred to by staff) will work part-time to provide dental care three days each week beginning in July.    

Expansion Efforts Increase Capacity at La Clinica de Tolosa

At the end of 2009, it became blatantly apparent that the demand for care at La Clinica de Tolosa had outgrown its capacity.  Over the last several years (since the addition of a pediatric dentist) the number of children treated at La Clinica de Tolosa has grown each month (up to 1,000), as has the waiting list to obtain a preventive care appointment (4-6 months, unlike emergency cases which are treated immediately).   This reality prompted the board of directors of Partnership for the Children to take action and form a committee to research and recommend appropriate action which has resulted in an expansion plan comprised of two-phases.

The first phase took place at the end of April.  It involved optimizing the clinic’s current space by reconfiguring the existing floor plan to allow for 2 additional dental chairs.  The additional chairs are expected to help reduce the length of time to obtain an appointment.           
The second phase is anticipated to take place within the next year and will involve expanding the existing footprint of the clinic to gain more square footage.  Partnership for the Children board of directors is working closely with County officials to gain additional space from the adjacent office space occupied by the County Health Department in Paso Robles.  Depending on the actual space gained, the hope is to add at least another three dental chairs, bringing the total chair count to nine at La Clinica de Tolosa.  With the assistance of funding from First 5 of San Luis Obispo County’s Children’s Dental Home Grant, this phase of expansion is expected to increase the number of children served each month. 

Operation School Bell

Assistance League president Bonnie Long (middle left) and PTC executive director Barbara Nicholson (middle right) are joined by Assistance League members Linda Falkenstien (far left) and Tina Solomon (far right).

Operation School Bell, a yearly philanthropic program of the Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County that provides suitable school clothes and a backpack to Kindergarten through sixth grade children in-need will kick-off this year in mid-August to dress approximately 1,100 students throughout the county.  Each student will be outfitted with new clothing including two pairs of jeans, a pair of shoes, socks, underwear, a jacket, and a new backpack.  As dental disease is the number one reason for school children to miss days of school, oral health care products including a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and dental floss was donated by Partnership for the Children of San Luis Obispo County on behalf of La Clinica de Tolosa as the target population Operation School Bell aims to serve is congruent with the population served at La Clinica de Tolosa.  More information about the Operation School Bell can be obtained by visiting www.alslocounty.org. 

WIC Collaboration Program Update

At the beginning of this year, La Clinica de Tolosa engaged in the “Early Intervention for Oral Health” program with the local Women Infants and Children (WIC) agency.  Funded by the Dental Health Foundation, the program involves using WIC offices as a delivery point to administer dental assessments and preventive treatments by La Clinica de Tolosa providers to one year olds (and any of their siblings present) on the days their parents are already scheduled to pick up their food vouchers.  At the same time, with the help of a WIC employee, parents are counseled about proper feeding, nutrition, brushing and good oral hygiene practices for their infants.  Follow-up care is scheduled at La Clinica de Tolosa thereby establishing a dental home for each child.  At the end of the visit, each child is sent home with a “goodie bag” filled with a toothbrush, a bib to encourage parents to wipe gums/teeth of the child after each feeding, some fun stickers (mainly for the older siblings), and bilingual educational material for parents and caregivers to reinforce the messages that were conveyed to them during the visit. 

Two half day sessions are offered each month---one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.  As of the end of May, 120 children received preventive treatment of which 80% of them were 2 years old or younger.  Of that 2 and under group 80% already had signs of dental decay. 

Farewell to Board Member Sara Horne

Having served on the board of directors for Partnership for the Children Sara Horne found it time to say ‘good-bye’ in May of this year.  Sara served as board secretary since 2004 and was honored for her commitment and contribution to the mission of the organization at the SUNSET BBQ on June 5th.