Clinica de Tolosa Dental Project

San Luis Obispo, CA

It’s All About the Smiles

Story submitted by Dr. Michele A. Vanderlinde, CEO La Clinica de Tolosa

As the Chief Executive Officer at La Clinica de Tolosa Children’s Dental Clinic, everyday I see how our work improves people’s lives and strengthens our community. Sometimes we take care of patients who have nowhere else to turn and outreach in the community becomes one of our strongest links.

Six-year-old Alvin was missing school frequently. The school nurse, Tina, called the clinic and explained that Alvin could not stay in school as he was running a fever and holding his jaw. Tina informed Catalina, our dental assistant, that Alvin was also very fearful of the dentist. Our clinic staff was ready to see him on an emergency basis. As Catalina went to get Alvin from the waiting room, he was watching the video “Mira mis Dientes” (“Look at my Teeth”). She greeted him with a smile, held his hand and walked with him to the dental chair with his mother, Senora Garcia. As he sat in the chair, with brightly colored cartoon posters around him, Catalina showed Alvin the big model teeth and how to brush them. She spoke to him in a soft and caring voice about how he was doing and that she was glad to see he was here. His eyes lit up as he was given his very own toothbrush and he clearly became calmer about being at the clinic. He smiled at her.

Then Alvin looked up with his big dark eyes and spiked cut hair into Dr. Stouts face and stiffened with fear of what was going to happen next. Dr. Stout, a pediatric specialist, with a very soft voice and gentle manner asked Alvin if he could point to where it bothered him. After Dr. Stout examined Alvin he found swollen abscesses in the front and back teeth – a particularly painful condition, making it hard for him to eat, let alone concentrate in school.

Throughout the dental visit Catalina interpreted in Spanish for Alvin and Senora Garcia. Many of our families and patients are Spanish speaking and having La Clinica’a bi-lingual staff is a relief to the community. Senora Garcia confided that as a single mother with limited money, she feared she could not afford a dentist. Her fears were put to rest by offering her a sliding fee and a monthly payment plan including education and preventive dental visits. At the end of the appointment Alvin came to the front of the office, bent down over the toy bin and was anxious to pick out his favorite one. He smiled again and waved to everyone as he walked out of the clinic.

According to La Clinica’s protocol, Catalina followed up over the next few days with Alvin and his mother. Then she called Tina, the school nurse who had referred the boy to the clinic. Tina praised the clinic staff and how the family was treated, and that Alvin was seen so promptly. Tina also said that Alvin was back in school, using his new toothbrush, eating, not suffering from painful toothaches, involved with school projects, and above all, “Smiling.”