Diane Grech is education/outreach coordinator for the Sonrisas Clinic and will be presenting a story hour on Tuesday, February 8 at 10:30 a.m.. She will be assisted by Karen Choy from the Half Moon Bay Library. This is the second year Sonrisas has conducted a “dental health” story hour at the Half Moon Bay Library.
There is also a “dental health” display set-up that Mrs Shue’s 2nd grade class helped with.
Sonrisas Community Dental Clinic Background Information
Mission: To deliver quality care to low-income and uninsured San Mateo County coastside residents and promote lifetime oral health through community education.
Who is Sonrisas
• Sonrisas is a Community Dental Health Center located in Half Moon Bay, we focus on increasing the accessibility and affordability of dental care for low-income (or no-income) clients, our service area extends from Montara to Pescadero, a population of approximately 30,000.
• We promote the maintenance of lifetime oral health through a comprehensive education program, including the Senior Center, both the local High School and several local Grade Schools.
• We currently provide dental screenings at the community elementary schools and junior high schools, last year we screened over 1,400 students. Since beginning this program we have seen a significant reduction in the number of emergency cases.
• Additionally, we have implemented programs for pregnant women and the homeless
• Sonrisas is the only local community dental health center, providing urgently needed dental services to low-income children and families
• We are a full service clinic, and will begin making our own crowns in 4thQ 2011 as a result of a National Children’s Oral Health Foundation Award
• We have a very committed, hands-on Board of Directors from the community, comprised of both dental, non-profit and business professionals
• On-going collaborative working relationships with UOP, UCSF and the Foothill Community College hygienist program
• Sonrisas is accredited as a year-long graduate dental residency program by the American Commission on Dental Accreditation
For more information, please contact our Dental Director Torrey Rothstein, at 650-726-2144 or sonrisas@coastside.net.
