BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO THE DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC FROM A BURST WATER MAIN, THE FRESNO-MADERA DENTAL SOCIETY FINDS IT NECESSARY TO CANCEL THE S.O.S.(Save and Seal Our Smiles) PROGRAM AND THE (G.K.A.S.)GIVE KIDS A SMILE PROGRAM. BELOW IS A STATEMENT FROM DR. GREG NALCHAJIAN AFTER VISITING THE CLINIC.
“After seeing the clinic this morning, and talking with the directors, it is clear there is no possible way to safely manage the numbers of patients and volunteers in the clinic in its current state...There's a good chance the clinic may not be fully put together this summer, as they are changing out some of the chairs, and finishing the reconstruction. Let's talk about it when we have more information from FCC and then we'll move forward from there.
I'll notify all the dentists/teams that have signed up through my office, and for each of you, please contact the groups you have made contact with and we'll hopefully catch just about everyone who is planning to come that Saturday. Thanks to all for a great volunteer effort, and I'm sure we'll come out of this stronger and better.”
SOS & GKAS is an annual volunteer effort by Fresno-Madera Dental Society member-dentists, clinical team members, and dental assisting/hygiene students to provide free pediatric preventive and restorative treatment targeting primarily disadvantaged children. Efforts are also made to connect families with available dental and medical resources in the local community. The majority of preventive care and screening of the children is undertaken at the Fresno City College hygiene clinic and those needing immediate dental treatment are then directed to several dental offices, again, staffed by volunteers. This year the plan was for the offices of Dr Starr, Dr. Asselin, and Dr Voytilla to be used for the restorative clinic. Unfortunately, as was previously explained, the FCC hygiene clinic is unavailable and the SOS and GKAS events have been cancelled from their Feb 26th,2011 date. Please look for this event's return!
