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How to Not Hate the Dentist

June 4, 2019
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by Dr. Rob Strain, DDS AAACD

Even dentists can hate the dentist. Some of my most challenging patients have been fearful dentists. Fortunately, our profession has come a long way in the last 50 years. More powerful topical anesthetics, gentle injection techniques, sedation that has amnesic properties, dental lasers and faster, quieter drills have made a huge difference. More and more patients say, “I love my dentist!”

But there is a reason I love dentists. Most all of them give back. There are a number of local, national and international organizations that allow dentists and dental auxiliaries to get out of their own world and into the world of service to others.

Locally, Arizona SonShine provides free medical and dental services to the underserved. Large clinics are set up for weekend service in Payson (March), Prescott Valley (June) and Mesa (August). Lines are long for those seeking medical and dental care that consists primarily of immunizations, exams and emergency services. More information is at arizonasonshine.com.

Rebuilding America’s Warriors (RAW) is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help rebuild veterans who have been facially disfigured during their service. Plastic surgeons and dental specialists contribute their services. This includes dental treatment for disease created by a combination of dry desert conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan and use of aids such as chewing gum that combated the dry mouth. The combination of dry mouth and sugar is not a good one. More information is at rebuildingamericaswarriors.com.

Give Back a Smile is an organization run by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Volunteer members treat those who have suffered through sexual assault or domestic violence and have dental disease, further contributing to additional feelings of insecurity. Information is available at aacd.com/applyforGBAS.

The American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile program and America’s Tooth Fairy are organizations that provide services, mostly in inner cities, to needy children:adafoundation.org/en/give-kids-a-smile.

Ayuda International is one of a number of dental programs centered on encouraging dental health for the underserved. Services are provided primarily throughout Southern California, Mexico and Latin America. Currently, it is easier to provide services across the border to fly-in locations as driving across the border has resulted in attempted confiscation of equipment and vehicles. Information is available at ayudaint.org.

Perhaps the largest international organization is Doctors Without Borders. This organization responds to humanitarian crises, but also provides care, including dental care, to underserved third world countries. More information is at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Many other international organizations exist, often through individual local churches or national denominations.

To combat the limitations of once-a-year service to remote third world villages, Healthcare Mobilization is an organization devoted to training local talent to provide emergency services throughout the year. More information is at healthcaremobilization.org.

I am proud of my profession and what we do to change lives, both here and abroad. Many dentists quietly provide pro bono work in their own offices for selected needs. Knowing how dentists give back you might just want to tell your dentist, “Thanks for giving back AND thanks for treating me gently!”

Dr. Rob Strain is the author of “More Smile for Less $$$” and “Add Life to Your Smile.” He maintains a practice in Prescott and can be reached through his website at robstrain.com.

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Prescott Living Magazine

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Prescott Living Magazine
LOCAL NEWS: The Northern Arizona VA in Prescott has provided an update on their Homeless Veteran Program. . . .PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System’s Homeless Veteran Program, along with its community partners, housed 445 Veterans in 2022, exceeding their target goal by 157%.Nationally, the 2022 goal was to house 38,000 homeless Veterans— a goal that was exceeded by 6.3%. The Department of Veterans Affairs remains committed to ending Veteran homelessness and increasing housing placements is critical to achieving this goal.“This success is a result of efforts built on the evidence-based ‘Housing First’ approach, which prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing, then provides the Veteran with the support they need to stay housed,” said Steve Sample, Medical Center Director.In Northern Arizona, there are a variety of services designed to house homeless Veterans. The VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program includes VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers that provide formerly homeless Veterans with subsidized housing and a wraparound, interdisciplinary case management team to address issues that may have contributed to homelessness. The program provides justice outreach services, employment services, health care services through the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team, outreach, and transitional housing support. The VA also works closely with community partners to house homeless Veterans through a system called Coordinated Entry, where community agencies along with the VA regularly meet to coordinate efforts and ensure homeless Veterans do not fall through the cracks.“We are fortunate that there is so much support for helping homeless Veterans in our area,” said Jessica Taylor, Homeless Program Coordinator for the Northern Arizona VA. “This success could not have been possible without great collaboration between our community partners, Housing Authorities, Tribal partnerships, and support from our local communities.”Looking ahead, the VA will continue to explore new avenues to house homeless Veterans and overcome housing barriers. In collaboration with U.S VETS, Gorman & Company, and the Arizona Department of Housing, a supportive housing project on the grounds of the VA’s Fort Whipple campus is in the initial planning stages. The VA is also expanding outreach to ensure that homeless Veterans are aware of services available to them. For Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness— or if you know of homeless Veterans in need of assistance, call 877-424-3838.For more information on renting to or hiring homeless Veterans, visit: www.va.gov/homelessAbout the Northern Arizona VA: Through its main campus in Prescott, along with Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and Anthem— with additional clinics in Tuba City, Page, Kayenta, Chinle, Holbrook, and Polacca, the Northern Arizona VA provides services to approximately 33,000 Veterans over a catchment area of more than 65,000 square miles.. . .www.facebook.com/VAPrescott ... See MoreSee Less

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Empty Bowls of Prescott Arizona has announced that it will distribute $24,000 to local foodbanks! Their 2022 Empty Bowls fundraising event took place in September, and donations can be made year round on their website.prescott-empty-bowls.square.site ... See MoreSee Less

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