Mission of Mercy 2010

Tuesday afternoon, I had an amazing opportunity to see my dental family in action serving the Portland community.

Mission of Mercy is a national organization that organizes free dental clinics in cities all over our country. This is the first time Portland has hosted a MOM clinic and it was an amazing sight. Semi trailer trucks backed up to the convention center and unloaded all of the equipment for hundreds of dentists, assistants, and hygienists, to provide services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canals, and denture repairs. Dental equipment and supply companies donated thousands of dollars of products to provide services for approximately 1500 patients over the two days.

I personally had a chance to work in triage, anesthesia (numbing), and oral surgery (extractions). I was so proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and compassion of all of my colleagues working there. We didn’t have all of the support we were used to in our own offices, but I didn’t hear any complaints, instead everyone was doing their best with what we had. In the end the patients received excellent care and were extremely grateful.

This was a huge project and I congratulate the many people who put in long hours to make it happen. It is truly inspiring to see what the private sector can do on its own to meet the needs of the underserved among us.

Mission of Mercy

Nearly 100 dental chairs are ready, 1500 volunteers have been oriented.

Patients are camped out waiting for the doors to open.

Oregon Mission of Mercy is the largest free dental clinic in the history of Oregon.

It happens Monday and Tuesday. Dr Stafford will be there Tuesday. Check back for a first person report.

Candy Buy Back 2010

We collected 100 pounds this year. It has been sent to Operation Gratitude and will find itself overseas one day soon.

Thanks to all the children who shared their candy, parents who brought their children to the event, and Happy Valley Town Center businesses who made the goodie bags even cooler.

'Til next year, folks. (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)

Stuffing of Another Kind

Just a couple of weeks until Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for "stuffing" of another kind. . .




Shauna Lugar, The Children's Center's (childrenscenter.cc)Development Director said, "We give each child an opportunity to pick out any stuffed animal and blanket in our quilt closet. It’s a sweet moment where they become a kid again with the only pressing problem to pick out the very best blanket and bear to snuggle. And while those who gift a stuffed animal and/or blanket to our kiddos will never see these sweet reactions, the Children’s Center is honored to facilitate this support and care from our community to our children. "

Women's Health Fair

Earlier this fall Stafford Smiles participated in one of Clackamas County's yearly staples, the Providence Women's Health Fair. This event is anticipated by many. We loved seeing mothers and daughters of various ages participating and enjoying the day together.

Each year speakers come and teach about a variety of topics at a luncheon and in classes throughout the day. We participated as a vendor, specifically offering free screening for sleep apnea for the participants and/or their loved ones who may suffer the symptoms.

Those who attended will remember our "straw test". We asked them to breathe through a straw effectively demonstrating how little someone with sleep apnea actually breathes when the airway is restricted at night during.

Congratulations to our raffle winner of a free sedation dental appointment!

Relay for Life Wrap Up 2010

Just a little reminder of our 2010 Relay for Life experience.

Relay for Life

Stafford Smiles is thrilled to be sponsoring and participating in Oregon City’s 2010 Relay for Life June 26-27 at Clackamas Community College. This fabulous event raises awareness for ALL types of cancers while raising money to support those fighting the disease now and celebrating with those who are survivors.

The event is held for 24 hours to symbolize that cancer does not rest. Over 50 teams have committed to have a representative on the track (walking, running, riding in a wagon) during that period of time. The time is filled with many events (kids’ carnival and parade, watermelon eating contest, live bands, silent auction just to name a few.)

The event is kicked off with survivors, donned in purple t-shirts, walking the first lap. Then all are invited to walk. The highlight of the evening is luminaries lighting. Bags with messages and images of loved ones, are lit with candles and provide the track’s light at night and into the dawn.

Our office has set a goal to raise $2000 as a team. We hope to do that through fundraising and donations. We’d love to have your support.

Please consider joining our team or participating as a survivor. Follow this link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=33294&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=21952 , come to the office or call for help over the phone.

Champion for Children

Last Wednesday, Stafford Smiles hosted a table at the Clackamas Children's Center Champion for Children Luncheon at the Oregon Golf Club in West Linn.







More than 400 participants gathered to support the Center as they help the vulnerable children of our county.

Tracy Barry, of KGW NewsChannel 8, was a delightful Master of Ceremonies.

The Center's director, Tonia Hunt, spoke of the purpose and mission of the Center as a safe place for children to receive the most skilled help. It was heartbreaking to hear that there are times when the Center must turn children to other sources of help (emergency rooms, pediatricians, etc.) due to the size limitations of their facility. Because of this, the Center has aggressively campaigned to raise money to enlarge the facility, and in turn, help more children.

Women look on as they hear the news that last month alone, the Center served 68 children.

Dr. Wendy Bourg Ransford spoke to the group regarding the importance of supporting the women who in turn support the children as they recover.

And then there were the cakes. . .

Market of Choice proudly makes and donates a different cake for each table. They were as delicious as they were beautiful.

We were happy to help in our small way. Please consider joining our table next year.