Around the State
Second District
Chester-Delaware at CVIM , West Chester
Volunteer dentists , hygienists , assistants , and staff members from the Dental Society of Chester County and Delaware County came together on December 2 at the Community Volunteers in Medicine ( CVIM ) in West Chester for a Give Kids A Smile ( GKAS ) event as part of CVIM ’ s Access to Care programs .
Nearly $ 10,000 worth of dental care and education was provided to 25 children , ranging from ages 3-17 . Transportation for children attending the event was provided from the help of an anonymous donation of $ 500 . Donations were also received from Drs . Cathy and Greg Mauro , Richard Pfeiffer and Frank Recupero .
PDA member dentists volunteering at the GKAS event included Drs . Tami Brady , Ron Heier , Bernie Logan , Neal Neuman , and Hilda Villegas . Enlisted by Meeting Coordinator Sara Michel , RDH , were dental assistants / dental students Sonja Zabala and Justine Czop .
CVIM ’ s Access to Care programs continue to provide dental care and education to those who would otherwise not receive this essential component of their health and well-being .
Third District
Partnership with Volunteers in Medicine , Wilkes-Barre
The Third District Dental Society , in partnership with Volunteers in Medicine ( VIM ), put together and donated 940 dental bags for preschoolers at the Luzerne County Head Start Inc . The dental bags contained a toothbrush , toothpaste and two flyers providing information on dental care for children . Volunteers spent many hours putting together the bags to bring awareness of the importance of dental care at a young age . Dr . Richard Grossman , 2022 PDA President-elect , and Dr . Irina Melnik , Third District Secretary , led this effort .
VIM holds a special place in Dr . Grossman ’ s heart , as he volunteers at the dental clinic two to three times a month . He has been doing so since the clinic opened its doors in 2011 . Dr . Grossman also takes pride in caring for low-income patients and works with Pre-K Counts and Wyoming Valley Children ’ s Association examining children ’ s teeth .
“ We always consider ourselves here in the Wyoming Valley the ‘ valley with the heart ,’” said Dr . Grossman . “ We ’ ve done this with HeadStart and a lot of times in conjunction with the United Way , and we are trying to take care of children who are underprivileged , so this is one good way of reaching out .”
18 MAY / JUNE 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL