But ultimately, Kamal came to Humboldt County and Open Door because he wanted to continue practicing healthcare in a community and organization that embodied wholesome, community relationships, “Medicine encompasses what I believe is the noblest deed, helping people maintain good health and recover from illness. I had always wanted to develop close relationships with the families I take care of. I came to Open Door because it gives me the opportunity to practice the kind of medicine that isn’t driven by financial gain…I have always wanted to work in such an institution.”

Dr. Kamal Gurung works as a Pediatrician at our McKinleyville Community Health Center. Welcome Dr. Gurung!

It is also recommended that pregnant women see their dentist for preventive dental cleanings and evaluation. During pregnancy, increased acidity in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay. Vomiting during pregnancy can aggravate the problem by exposing the teeth to more gastric acid. The bacterium that is associated with tooth decay could be carried over to a newborn child, possibly passing the bacteria to the baby.

Pregnant women go through hormonal changes during pregnancy that can lead to gingivitis and inflammation of the gum tissue. Both can lead to a pre-term birth or low birth weight. Ideally, if a woman is planning a pregnancy, she should schedule an exam ahead of time to treat any dental problems. Certainly upon becoming pregnant, a woman should schedule an exam with her dentist right away. Dr Jung of the Willow Creek Community Health Center, explains, “Dental care during pregnancy should be a normal part of prenatal care. The woman’s body is changing and that affects her oral health and the future health of her child. Preventive and maintenance exams and cleanings are recommended for all pregnant women.”

UCSF Dental Intern Johanna Chung

One of the unique aspects of the Burre Dental Center is its connection to the School of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Fourth-year students and post-graduate residents rotate through the clinic, bringing their training to the clinic and getting a “real-world” experience in providing community dentistry. According to Tram Vu, fourth-year intern, “Our experience at Burre has provided confidence with both our clinical and patient relations skills. We have become more efficient with our time while still providing quality care and education. After our rotations, we definitely notice an improvement in speed and skills. We work with wonderful dental assistants, which is something that we do not have at UCSF. The dental assistants have exposed us to the effectiveness of four-handed dentistry. We see an amazing range of dental needs at Burre. We try to see an average of 10 a day here; at school, we average 3. As future dentists, our time at Burre has taught us the importance taking an active role in providing for the community.

UCSF Resident Grayson Palmer, DDS

Grayson Palmer, DDS Resident, explains, “We apply to be placed at a site and Burre is a very popular site because of the quality of our experience. I have done much more hands-on dentistry here than many of my classmates at other sites. This has been an amazing learning opportunity. I really enjoy working as a team with my assistant. I am now interested in continuing to work in a community health center. I’m hoping to continue on as a provider at Burre once my residency obligation is completed. My wife, daughter and I enjoy living in this community.

Johanna Chang just completed her second internship rotation at Burre. “I love working with the children, and I now recognize the importance of screening and education. This has been an incredibly challenging and inspiring experience. The lectures and clinics at school were mere shadows in comparison to what I’ve experienced and learned here. I have gained so much that only this kind of hands-on experience could give me. And I feel confident, with the great team around me, that we are providing patients with the best care possible. We are not compromising quality. I am grateful to train at a site where advancements in treatment alternatives are being used on a regular basis. The environment itself motivates me every day.”

According to Dr. Wright, “Our partnership with UCSF creates access to care that we wouldn’t have any other way. These students are not only skilled and eager to learn, they are committed to the highest standards of quality and care. They are learning valuable lessons while contributing to our knowledge, bringing with them the latest training and advancements in dentistry. It is a great association for the students, for our staff, and for our patients.”

Congressman Mike Thompson with the children of Smith River Elementary School celebrate the new Del Norte Dental Van by showing their teeth to the camera

This van, and a newly hired staff, will serve children in Del Norte County exclusively. This new van was funded by The California Endowment as part of its Building Healthy Communities: Del Norte County and Adjacent Tribal Lands initiative. The van will visit schools throughout Del Norte County, providing comprehensive dental screening and treatment to children. According to Barbara Davis, Dental Sites Administrator and Mobile Dental Service Coordinator, “We can do almost everything on the van that we can do in the clinic. We schedule several schools to visit during the school year. In this, our first year, we’re starting at Smith River School. We’ll stay there until all of the children who need dental care, and have parental consent, are screened and treated. We won’t leave until all of the kids are taken care of. Then we move on to the next school and do the same thing. This means we may only get to 3 or 4 schools during a year.”

States Laura Olson, Program Manager for The California Endowment Building Healthy Communities initiative, “At the ribbon cutting, someone came up to me and said, ‘So this is really ours?’ referring to the new van and the idea that it will be in Del Norte and not leave the area. It was so gratifying to be able to say, ‘Yes!’ This is a major step forward in creating the infrastructure of access and services so needed if we are to address the pressing health needs in our community.”

During the extended school holidays and over the summer, the van will be located at the Del Norte Community Health Center and serve as extra treatment space. “We’re excited to be able to open up more access to dental services all year, whether at schools or here at the clinic,” notes Hilda Yepes-Contreras, site administrator of the Del Norte Community Health Center. “Access to care; that’s our priority.”

Robert Chiang, DDS, dental provider for the new Del Norte Mobile Dental Van

This sentiment is echoed by Robert Chiang, DDS, a dentist recruited specifically to work on the new Del Norte dental van. “It is wonderful to be able to provide a high level of service for so many kids . We’re still working out some of the kinks, this is only our second week, but I’m impressed with the van, the staff, the schools and the kids. This is a very exciting project.” Dr. Chiang works with registered dental assistants Linda Inman-Bourne and Laura Johnson. “We’re rapidly becoming a good team.”

The Del Norte mobile dental van is not a first for Open Door. Open Door has been providing mobile dental services at schools in Humboldt County since 1991. While not using a vehicle quite as shiny as the new van in Del Norte County, Diane Patkowski, DDS and registered dental assistants Claudia Wells and Mindy Ferreria have been “on the road” providing a full array of dental services to children throughout Humboldt County. During a typical year, the van visits 4 or 5 schools, staying at each school as long as it takes to provide dental screening and treatment to all children who have received parental consent for such services. Explains Barbara Davis, “We couldn’t finish up at South Fortuna Elementary School last spring, so that was the school we started with this fall. In all, we completed treatment for 120 children. We hope to get to four more schools this year, but we have to remain flexible based on the kid’s needs.” The schedule permits the van to return to a school every 3 years. The van is now at Grant Elementary School in Eureka and 86 children are lined up for screening and treatment.

Open Door's mobile dental van serves Humboldt County children.

“In both Del Norte and Humboldt,” explains Barbara, “We are treating children who might go without dental care due to limited access, lack of transportation or other family hardships. With the vans at the schools, parents don’t have to take time off from work and children actually miss less school time because our van is right here on campus.” Barbara emphasizes, “Every child qualifies for services; all we need is parental consent. Being at the school works to the children the dental care they need.

“In addition to treating children’s dental needs, we work with them to improve their self-care. We provide instruction and education about oral health care and talk with parents whenever possible. A person’s smile has a big impact on their self-esteem. For children, their health, happiness and well-being are particularly linked to how they feel about themselves. Following treatment we see how kids develop greater confidence as they begin to smile more” explains Barbara. “We focus on education and proper care at home, including how to brush and floss properly. We teach the children how to have fun with their dental care and to be proud of their efforts. We understand that kids all have different experiences and life situations. For children who are frightened we first give them a “Happy Visit” just to get them used to visiting the dentist. With full dental services offered on the van, starting with a comprehensive exam, the experience is the same as going to any dental office.”

Dr. Chiang notes, “When kids come in with pain it can be difficult to treat them because they are fearful of dentistry, particularly if this is their first visit. I remember one child who needed to have a tooth pulled, it had been bothering him for a long time and was totally decayed. It was scary for him. The next time he came in, he was more relaxed. Children are less fearful the second or third time they come in. Because it is designed to kid-friendly, children have a good experience coming to the van. There is less waiting and less anticipation and they see their peers going to the van too.”