Giving It Back

Dr. Pat and her staff feel very strongly that we should help those who are less fortunate. To that end, Dr. Pat’s office participates in a few charitable fundraisers.

MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION

For the last two years the Connecticut Society of Pediatric Dentists has asked its member dentists to support a fundraiser. This fundraiser was held during the month of February which is designated as Children’s Dental Health Month. For 2002 and 2003, the charity that the funds have benefited is the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

We asked our patients to buy a “balloon” for $1.00, and at the end of the fundraiser, Dr. Pat matched the amount that was donated by her patients. The generosity of our patients and their families was overwhelming, and we were proud to be able to send the Make-A-Wish Foundation over $600.00 in total over the last two years! The Make-A-Wish Foundation received over $6000.00 for the last two years from all the pediatric dental offices that participated.

PRUDENCE CRANDALL CENTER FOR WOMEN

In the Fall of 2003, we participated in the Prudence Crandall Center for Women fundraiser to combat domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we were very pleased that by the end of the fundraiser in October we were able to send $240.00 to this deserving charity.

THE HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP

During February 2004, we will be asking for donations to support this year’s CSPD fundraiser – The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. This camp located in northeastern Connecticut is a nonprofit residential camp for children with cancer or a serious blood disease. Dr. Pat will again match every dollar given by our patients to this charity. We look forward to a successful fundraiser and thank everyone in advance for their generosity.

EAST HADDAM HEALTH AND SAFETY FAIR

On Saturday June 5th Dr. Carta's office volunteered for the CHIP (CT Child Identification Program) at the East Haddam Health and Safety Fair.  This year there were several safety programs for children which included car/booster seat safety inspections; the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program; fire prevention and pediatric trauma team.  Also, everyone attending was treated to a landing of the Lifestar helicopter and a landing of the CT State Police Trooper 1 helicopter.  This is our second year volunteering for the CHIP program.

As part of the CHIP program, Jessica, one of our dental hygienist took impressions of teeth on 66 children.  Christine, our front desk manager, gave the children their impressions in a plastic bag with their name on it.  These impressions, when kept sealed, are good for up to two years for identification purposes.  The parents are asked to keep these impressions sealed, because the saliva and the DNA can be used by search dogs if the child is ever lost at an amusement park or abducted. 

There will be pictures added to this site soon which include pictures of lifestar landing; our CHIP booth with Jessica and Christine, a picture of a fire truck and the DARE program sponsored by the police.