Team from Aspen Dental Giving Free Dental Care in Haiti: Day 1

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This week, three dentists and two hygienists from Aspen Dental offices are volunteering in Haiti to provide free dental care to Haitians in the town of Jacmel.

Moved by the devastation in Haiti in the aftermath of the island’s January 2010 earthquake, the team is offering their time to help address the fact that there is just one dentist per 100,000 people.

Leading the team is Dr. Chedly Schatzie Vincent, owner of two Aspen Dental practices in Fairfield and Norwalk, Connecticut.

Here’s an update from Dr. Vincent on Day 1 of her experience of bringing Smiles for Haiti:

We knew that we would be working with the underserved when we decided to volunteer our time to give free oral care to the communities here in Jacmel, Haiti. In fact, 80% of Haiti is considered poor, with a majority of the population living below the poverty line. It is very difficult for Haitians to have access to the proper health care. 

The five of us made the long trek from the northeastern U.S. to Port au Prince, Haiti, with thousands of units in supplies, packed tightly in over a dozen large boxes. We have everything we need for general hygiene care and preventative dentistry, including kits for tooth extractions and fillings, portable X-Ray machines, gauze, needles, sutures, and antibiotics, thanks to the support we’ve received from Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of products and services to dental practitioners.

After arriving at Port au Prince, we made the 3-hour drive to Jacmel. Through Restore Haiti, we are set up at a neighborhood clinic to administer full dental and oral treatment to Haitians living in the surrounding small towns. Restore Haiti helped us get connected with local lodging and transportation. Once settled, we began preparing for the morning’s travel and work. This included transporting  the boxes of supplies from the hotel to the clinic.

These towns generally don’t have power or the stable water systems that we are used to in the U.S. but we are making the most with what we are given in order to provide the proper dental care.

The island is vibrant and beautiful, but Haitians do not have access to the same resources that people may have in other developing countries. In addition to the oral treatments, extractions and fillings we expect to administer, we are prepared to also provide plenty of oral care education.

What we might take for granted, Haitians are hungry to learn about. And we are delighted to be able to provide our services.

We’ll be posting more updates from the Aspen Dental volunteer team in the coming days. Check back for more blog posts and photos!

© 2012, Kasey P.. All rights reserved.

Aspen dental practices best dentist selected by readers

We are pleased to celebrate with dentists and teams in the Lady Lake (Florida); Sun City, Florida; Bristol, Connecticut; and Mount Pleasant, Michigan practices on their award as "best dentists" and "top dentist" in their communities!

We could not prouder to work and attentive patient care these offices - and Aspen dental practices across the country - transport every day. The recognition of inhabitants in each region, through reader surveys in their local newspapers votes, is further proof for Aspen dental commitment to patients the care received, they need.

Here is a look at each of their special services:

Aspen dental Lady Lake, Florida Office
Dr. Paul Pimentel and his team at the Office Lady Lake won the 2012 readers choice awards for "favorite dentist" by the daily commercial & South Lake.

"I'm honored and pleased on behalf of the entire team for all the hard work, we practice Aspen dental Lady Lake recognized to be", said Dr. Pimentel.

Aspen dental clinic Sun City (Florida)
The Sun City Office celebrates an exciting by the South Shore News & Tribune "Best of South Shore 2012" vote to win. More than 6,500 readers voted in the poll reader Aspen dental office with the "Gold winner" award as the best dentist in the region.

"We're thrilled, awarded gold", said owner practice Dr. Dustin Dixon. "The team is motivated and committed the care patients get they need. It is nice to see that their hard work is recognised by the community."

Aspen dental practice in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, the Office for the second consecutive year in which Bristol has award observers with a "one of the best" is a reader's choice awards. Residents in the Bristol community with the name of this Office as one of the best practices in the field of dental.

"It is one of the best dentist named are in the second year and I couldn't be more proud... on my team,", said Dr. Yutdhasak Kjornrattanawanich, owner of the Aspen dental practice in Bristol. "I know that our team is coming into the Office every day for that patients treated comfortably and with respect are."

Mount Pleasant, Michigan Office
The Mount Pleasant Office was central Michigan life best Central Michigan 2012 people's Choice Awards winner of first place in the category "best dentist/jobs". More than 1,200 readers voted in the poll.

"We are thrilled that the best dentist in Mount Pleasant, are named", said lead dentist Dr. Alifiya Barodawalla. "Our team is committed to the patients, to visit our Office, and we look forward to continued access to high-quality, low-cost dental treatment in which to enable Mount Pleasant community."

Congratulations to all the winners!

© 2012, Kasey P... All rights reserved.

Aspen Dental Team Provides Free Care to Dozens During Dentists Who Care for ME Day in Maine

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Recently, dental professionals from three Aspen Dental offices in Maine provided free dental care to 70 patients as part of the fourth annual Dentists Who Care for ME day.

This year, 31 dentists from throughout the state, along with a large group of hygienists, dental assistants, and office staff, provided free care in 13 different locations.

The Aspen Dental practice in South Portland provided care on a first-come, first-served basis as patients lined up for hours before the office opened to ensure they would have a chance to be seen.

As Dentists Who Care for ME organizer Dr. Barry Saltz told the Portland Free Press, “None of these people have insurance, and these are people who have fallen on tough economic times and we’re here to help them. It’s a wonderful feeling for us to be able to carry out that service.”

By day’s end, the Aspen Dental team had donated more than $10,000 in free care that included services ranging from exams and cleanings to fillings and extractions.

Led by Dr. Justin Griffee (practice owner of Aspen Dental in South Portland, Portland, and Biddeford), the Aspen Dental team included:

Dr. Jeff Bellanti (South Portland), Dr. Sepand Gahnouni (Portland), Dr. Kristian Richardson (Biddeford), Amanda Benn, RDH (Portland), Lynn Jurczak, RDH (Biddeford), Sabrina Alaimo (Portland), Courtney Clark (South Portland), Ginger Flament (South Portland), Lindsey Jacobsen (Biddeford), Ruth Obrion (Biddeford), Crystal Coombs (Portland Area), Mason Barker (South Portland), Amy Payeur (South Portland), and Deb Huddy (Portland)

© 2012, Amanda H.. All rights reserved.

Aspen dental awards scholarships for students of at Boston University

We are pleased 3 on our new partnership with Boston University Goldman School of dental medicine and award two dental to announce academic year with $5,000 scholarships. The Aspen dental scholarship was awarded to Marina Gonchar, DMD, 14, and Benjamin Irzyk, DMD 14.

Aspen dental are here we proud to assist dental schools nationwide and help to reach dental students while studying their full potential. In turn helps us nourish the next generation of top dentists to ensure that patients have access to the quality health care they need.

We Marina and Benjamin about their career paths as dentists languages:

From left to right: Marina Gonchar, Joseph Calabrese, DMD, DMD 14; Benjamin Irzyk, DMD 14; Catherine Sarkis, JD, MBA

Marina Gonchar
DMD 14

What do you like most about dentistry?
I have to say that we are as if reviews make dentist, affecting not only the oral cavity, but the quality of the overall condition of the patient. Combines multiple skills to help provide care comprehensive patient dentistry. Many times at the dentist are the first that have the ability to identify the symptoms of diseases. I was really appreciating this point at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of dental medicine.

What are your professional goals as a dentist?
As a dentist is my primary goal, to be able to offer outstanding comprehensive dental care of my patients. This target to reach you must commit becomes a lifelong learners and stay current with the changes that technology brings. It is important also to the profession and your patients are always active in organized dentistry and in the service of the community outside of the Office.

Ben Irzyk
DMD 14

What influenced you to participate in dental school?
I remember what we wanted when we grew up in the 4th grade asked and I had written "Dentist." When I started in high school I reflect my hometown dentist. It turned out that after the first day in the Office, which I was addicted; I spent the rest of the summer hanging around the Office trying to learn as much as I could. Ultimately, I have my home during studies of the library and what I could assign to fact, my resume to build school dental clinic after my 4 years at the school. I am still so passionate and enthusiastic, a part of a such great professional like me 15 years ago.

What do you like most about dentistry?
The goal number one I did like a dentist is, my patients always in the first place. In an ideal world I would be lost in retirement with never a patient due to frustration or inadequate care or compassion for them. I would like the appropriate skills that allow me, clearly communicate with my patients more than a professional relationship but a trust and understanding. A dentist told me once: "Dentistry is the easy part." He said that the clinical work, every day we has been what to do and what we will do for the rest of our lives. To develop skills outside of the clinical area is what can really set a dentist, apart from the rest. The skills and the confidence must be solid, but listen to the patient and put them first can really go a long way.

Marina and Ben congratulations and good luck in your dental career!

© 2012, Arwinder Richter, DDS. All rights reserved.