Dentists provide free care to kids lacking insurance in Sacramento area
Going to the dentist for the first time at age 10 or 15 can be a good thing and a bad thing.
The bad: Betsy Marin, 15, had a tooth taken out because it was beyond treatment. Eli Garcia, 10, needed two fillings in one visit.
The good: They were finally getting needed care that had been put off because their parents didn't have dental insurance.
The bonus: "They were nice," Betsy said of the dental technicians and doctors who gave her free care at DiTomasso Dental in midtown Saturday.
DiTomasso, with six dentists and dozens of other volunteers, was one of about 25 dental offices in five counties that performed about $1 million of free care before noon.
About 50 were cared for at DiTomasso Dental, and about 550 more at offices in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado and Amador counties.
The "organized chaos," as they called it, was the Sacramento District Dental Society's annual Smile for Kids day.
Many kids fall between the cracks because parents don't have insurance, but their incomes are too high to qualify for public dental programs, said Cathy Levering, executive director of the society.
For example, Betsy and three siblings came with their mother, Rosalba Marin of North Highlands. Her husband works in construction, she said, but doesn't have insurance.
"It's a way for us to give back to our community," said Pamela DiTomasso, one of the three dentists based in the midtown office.
Among the volunteers in her office were regular patients who responded to a post on the dental office's Facebook page.
Not only did they see children who were referred from Smiles for Kids, but they put out fliers in midtown to reach the children of restaurant and car wash workers in the area.
And they "adopt" some families, providing care throughout the year.
The office waiting room was filled with patients and parents, some waiting on stairs outside the door.
Activity was bustling in every dental chair and room in the office, including three chairs that had been installed as temporary facilities when the office was remodeled.
Average Car Insurance For Marin County - News
The bad: Betsy Marin, 15, had a tooth taken out because it was beyond treatment. Eli Garcia, 10, needed two fillings in one visit. The good: They were finally getting needed care that had been put off because their parents didn't have dental insurance.
23 at the trial in Marin County Superior Court. Washington, 25, of San Francisco pleaded guilty Sept. 2 to involuntary manslaughter after accepting a plea bargain and will serve five years in prison in exchange for his testimony against five other
The person was also cited for driving with a suspended license and was booked into Marin County Jail. 12:04 pm – A fraud was reported at the Costco store on Vintage Way. A counterfeit $100 bill was received yesterday. The reporting party in the
He was previously an assistant county administrator for Marin County, Calif. According to the city of Menlo Park, McIntyre will receive an annual salary of $199000 with a $320 monthly car allowance and insurance benefits. The city will also loan him up
The driver was apparently driving without a license or proper insurance, police said. The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The Marin County sheriff's office responded to the original disturbance call and were unable
Mill Valley Hotels | Larkspur Hotel Mill Valley | Marin County Hotels
One-Night Stay for Two, Sundays through Thursdays ($105) or Fridays or Saturdays ($129)
One-Night Stay for Two, Sundays through Thursdays ($105) or Fridays or Saturdays ($129), Bike Rentals (If Available), Breakfast, Elixirs, and Evening S’Mores
Stop. Breathe. Do you feel that? Stress leaving the body is a beautiful thing. Close your eyes and let this week’s Escape take you to the Larkspur Hotel Mill Valley , where genuine hospitality is nestled in scenic Marin County, just minutes from San Francisco.
You’ll get a comfy one-night stay for two, Sundays through Thursdays ($105) or Fridays or Saturdays ($129), plus two welcome elixirs between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and a host of other perks.