Portable Dental Project Report

The chair and light with a bunch of dental supplies is at New Horizons – in a very nice bathroom. However, with changes in Dentical, I find that two dental hygienists are taking care of cleaning of the teeth of all of the residents of the 14 houses that New Horizons runs for the live-in severely disabled adults.   I have also learned that Dr. Choi, a local GP gets paid to do dental care for their patients, and with his staff, he can do better, faster care than I can with the mobile clinic. 

So for now, I am doing exams in the houses, taking a few x-rays, referring to Dr. Choi and the hygienists, and completing the necessary paperwork showing an examination every 14-16 months, so that New Horizons has all clients get a dentist exam as required by law. 

The Salvation Army has no place for a dental operatory, so there I have my mobile dental cabinet from dental school, and the 35 pound dental “unit.”   I usually am there about one afternoon a week from 1-4 and clean teeth, take x-rays, do fillings and very simple extractions.  Some residents need removable appliances, and, to the best of my ability, I take impressions, and make the appliances in the small lab at our dental office.  Dr. Mishra has been wonderful about subsidizing many of the supplies I use.  But I am most grateful for the $500.00 allowance that Greater Van Nuys Rotary has allowed as some materials and supplies must be purchased.  Dr. Mishra has done several extractions that I cannot handle.

Two weeks ago Renee D’Auria took me to meet Joe Garcia.  Mr. Garcia in 1960 was 19 when he contracted polio.  He is paralyzed from the neck down.  His brother and sister-in-law took him to their home – with 5 little kids – rather than have him sent to a convalescent home.  He has lived there ever since.  He had only minor tooth problems.  But this is the first man I have ever met who is completely quadriplegic.  He is bright and intelligent, and has had excellent home dental care and diet.  Seems in great health, though now has sciatic nerve pain that means he cannot be seated any longer in a wheel chair.  I will be able to care for his teeth as I have a mobile unit(thank you Rotary!), magnifying glasses – with a headlamp (compliments of Dr. Mishra). 

I am working now with Sheri Polack to see if we can put together a documentary on the history of polio using Ruth Frank, wife of Rotarian Bill Frank, and Joe and Alyce Garcia.

Barbara Pampalone, DDS