Open House – October 27, 2011

It has been said that La Clinica de Tolosa is a 'special place', but seeing ISbelieving!  Thank you to ALL who attended the Open House to witness the impressive results of the recently completed expansion and remodel project.  

Sincere THANKS to First 5 SLO County for helping to fund this project and to Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein and Health Agency Director Jeff Hamm for their part in securing the additional space. 

Finally, the PTC Board of Directors gratefully acknowledges Specialty Construction, Inc. -- Rudy Bachmann and Mike Seminara --- and the following team of professionals who were responsible for completing the much needed project so successfully and on time:

• Applied Telecom Technology
• Atascadero Glass, Inc.
• Bruington Plumbing, Inc.
• Clean Lines Cabinetry
• Computec Computer Services
• Hamrick & Associates, Inc.
• Henry Schein Dental
• Jed’s Home Repair & Maintenance
• Nevada Drywall Dynamics, Inc.
• Floor Connection, Inc.
• Lessi Construction, Inc.
• Paso Robles Heating and Air
• Pro-Coatings
• S.D. Franklin Electric, Inc.

Pictured from L to R: Jeff Hamm (SLO County Health Agency Director), Jon Hollister DDS ( PTC Board Member & Expansion Committee Chair), Mike Seminara (Specialty Construction, Inc. & Project Lead)

Expansion Efforts Increase Capacity at La Clinica de Tolosa

After nearly a year and a half of research, planning, design and negotiations, phase II of the expansion of La Clinica de Tolosa is ready to begin.   Thanks to the County of San Luis Obispo, the clinic will add to its footprint approximately 380 sq. feet to be acquired from the adjacent Public Health office next door.  The added space will allow for one more treatment chair (bringing the total chair count to seven) and an exam room that will double as a quiet room for those who have undergone surgery.  The added space will also allow for a little more storage space for records and a proper staff break area (no more hiding out in closets!).  Partial funding for the project will be provided by First 5 of San Luis Obispo County which will help offset additional staff and some equipment expenses.  Once the County office next door condenses its floor plan, demolition will begin to knock through the common wall.  If all goes well, the project should begin early this fall.    

Phase I was completed at the end of April 2010.  It involved optimizing the clinic’s current space by reconfiguring the floor plan to allow for two additional dental chairs.  Both phases are expected to help reduce the length of time to obtain an appointment and to increase the number of children served each month.  Currently, the average number of children seen each month is 950-1,000.

New Board Members

James Tedford, MD:  In September of 2010, PTC welcomed Dr. Tedford to its board of directors.  As a longtime county resident and pediatrician, Dr. Tedford is very aware of the health care needs of children in SLO County.    

Debbie Viborg, of Viborg Sand & Gravel, Inc., also joined the board in the fall of 2010.  Another longtime county resident, Debbie has been very involved in her family’s business and in the north county community for many years.  Her experience and first-hand connections will be of great benefit and support of our mission. 

Chuck Braun:  As of July 2011, PTC’s newest board member is Chuck Braun, another longtime county resident and business man.  Chuck is a State Farm Insurance agent with an office in Atascadero, current president of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the evening Kiwanis club in San Luis Obispo. 

Give Kids a Smile Clinics at La Clinica de Tolosa

On March 5th and 26th, La Clinica de Tolosa hosted two Give Kids A Smile® clinics (an annual initiative of the American Dental Association) in which free dental care was provided to school-aged children whose families can not otherwise afford dental care. 
Between the two days, a total of 51 children received a comprehensive exam, x-rays and treatment plan delivered by an all-volunteer team of local dental professionals comprised of 12 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 10 dental assistants, and 5 interns from Alan Hancock Dental Assisting Program (listed below).  Additional services provided included cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings, crowns, pulpotomies and extractions when necessary.  Appointments were made on a referral basis from school nurses and several collaborating agencies.  Dental supplies were donated by Henry Schein, Kerr, 3M ESPE, Septodont and Kavo. 

Volunteer Dentists:  Lee Hollister, Ian Leopold, Theron Stout, Dan Solomon, Brack Linscott, Duffy DeGraw, Craig Main, Deborah Amorteguy, Giancarlo Lauriente, Irma Perez-Martinez, Martin Dunne, and James Forester.

Volunteer Hygienists, Dental Assistants and Interns:  Joyce Helmintoller RDH, Angela Kentosh RDH, Anid Moors RDA, Kari Ibister RDA, Emma Sandoval RDA, Laurel Nordyke RDA, Wendi Hobbs RDA, Izabel Breese DA, Christina Knoll RDA, Veronica Ingraham RDA, Leslie Donovan RDA, Hailey Abillie-Murphy RDA, Allan Hancock College DA Interns---Kelly Hoover, McKenna Hawker,  Katie Stemper, and Tiffany White.

Volunteer Office Staff:  Mario Tobias, Angie Ahumada, Jeanne Edmundson, Stephanie Sandoval, and Suzanne Russell. 

A lesson about Sugar Bugs

In May of this year, Dr. Jimmy Forester, lead pediatric dentist at La Clinica de Tolosa, visited the North County Boys and Girls Club for an informal chat with approximately 30-35 children about the causes of tooth decay and how to prevent  unwelcome ‘sugar bugs’ from developing in their mouths.  The kids also got a chance to brush the teeth of a ‘toothy’ hippopotamus at the same time!

Operation School Bell

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. 

 

FUNDRAISING EVENTS 

2012 Fundraising Events are now in the planning process.  Check back here for more information in the coming months!

The ‘BIG BOTTLE’ Raffle – March 2011

Congratulations to Bob Spurgeon for winning the ‘BIG BOTTLE’ Raffle!  This Methuselah (equal to 8-750ml bottles) of 1991 Eberle Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, signed by winemaker, Gary Eberle, was donated by PTC board president, Marty Craven.  Approximately 772 raffle tickets were sold amounting to over $5,100 in proceeds for La Clinica de Tolosa.   Thank you Marty for the generous donation.  Cheers, Bob!

 

 

 

SIP for SMILES – Friday, April 29, 2011  

Sponsored by: Coast National Bank

NINER Wines Estates was the site for this year’s “end of the work week un-winder” on April 29th.  SIP provides an informal opportunity for stakeholders, supporters, and interested parties of La Clinica de Tolosa to gather and learn the latest happenings of the clinic (such as current efforts underway to expand its size).  At the same time, guests enjoyed Niner’s award-winning wines while sampling appetizers from Dining with Andre and the olive oils of Olio Nuevo.   The artisan crafted extra virgin olive oils were made available for sale that evening from which 50% of proceeds were donated to PTC for La Clinica de Tolosa by grower/producer, Art Kishiyama, which amounted to $424!  Thanks Art!  And, to wrap up the evening, two lucky raffle winners went home with magnums of Niner Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon!  Sincere gratitude goes to Coast National Bank for their sponsorship, and Niner Wine Estates for their generous hospitality. 

Continuing Education Course

Child & Adolescent Health: 
New Challenges for the 21st Century
Guest Speaker:   Carol Jahn, RDH,MS 
Sponsored by:
 

Over 30 dental professionals attended this half-day course on June 3rd presented by Carol Jahn, RDH MS, at the PG&E Energy Education Center.   The course was designed to supply practitioners with current research and information on the new health challenges facing children and adolescents.  Implications from the early-age adoption of adult behaviors and habits on health and life longevity were also discussed including strategies for oral health interventions.  Topics included exposure to tobacco, primary and second-hand smoke, asthma, obesity, the rising incidence of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, HPV and oral cancer, and preventive strategies for caries and gingivitis.  Ms. Jahn was presented a plaque of appreciation by PTC board president, Dr. Marty Craven as the class wrapped up.    

SUNSET BBQ – June 4th, 2011

Sponsored by:  

Although, this year’s event would have been more aptly named the “NO-SUNSET BBQ”, other than the inclement weather conditions, the 5th annual event went off without a hitch and proved to be very successful in the end raising funds for La Clinica de Tolosa. 

Just days before, the forecast of wet weather conditions for that weekend forced last minute adjustments be made to the venue which had been originally planned outdoors at the home of Dr. Ron Brunick (our host for the past 4 years).  But, thanks to Caryn Maddalena, Real Property Services Manager for the County of San Luis Obispo, the SLO Vets Hall was secured at the ‘eleventh hour’ and the rest is history!

Ed Miller and Ben Davis of Unfinished Business

Unfinished Business rocked the house, playing from beginning to end.  There’s no question---these guys are a major draw, and for that, PTC is very grateful!  Additionally, PTC is forever grateful to the Kiwanians of SLO de Tolosa for the abundant barbecue dinner and their unwavering support for the last 5 years.  Heart-felt thanks to Steve Owens and The Journal Magazine for advertising the event; to Eberle, Halter Ranch, St. Hilaire, Tolosa, and Wood wineries for pouring their outstanding wines; Dining with Andre for the spread of appetizers and the French shortcake for dessert; and Black Horse Espresso for providing their infamous coffee.  And, last but not least, PTC is extremely grateful to American Perspective Bank for lending their generous support by being this year’s sponsor.

Congratulations to Mark Crawford, the lucky winner of the ‘MAG-nificent Dozen’ wine raffle who went home with 12 magnums of premium Central Coast wines from Baileyana, Costa de Oro, Eberle, Edna Valley, Halter Ranch, Niner, Per Bacco Cellars, Tolosa, and Treana.