On June 22, 23 and 24, some 120 DuPage children received needed dental work that their families could not otherwise have afforded. These were not regular checkups but free treatment for serious oral problems.
The treatment that was provided enabled these children to resume their lives without the pain many had suffered for months.
The site of this work may have been unorthodox, but no equipment or expertise was lacking. The children were served inside a 48-foot, fully equipped mobile dental clinic that has been converted from a semi-tractor trailer.
This dental clinic, which travels across the nation, was parked in front of the DuPage County Health Department in Wheaton for those three days in June.
“Christina’s Smile,” as it is named by its founder and creator, Dr. Richard Garza of Austin, Texas, follows the senior tour of the Professional Golfers’ Association. This year, the cost of the Chicago-area dental van tour was funded largely by the PGA, its longtime sponsor, and by McDonald’s Corp.
The Health Department wishes to thank Dr. Garza for his continued hard work and generosity in helping to bring these services to our children. Thanks also to the dentists and their assistants who volunteered their work: Dr. David Baldare of Chicago; Dr. Mark Boarini of Antioch; Dr. Greg Calleia of Wheaton; Dr. Michael Colletti of Lombard; Dr. Yihsiung Huang of Westmont; Dr. Dave Kumamoto of Chicago; Dr. George Loss of Elmhurst; Dr. Suzanne Mahoney of Chicago; Dr. Fred Margolis of Buffalo Grove; Dr. Joe Olsen of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Dr. Michael Toto of Glenview.
The DuPage County Health Department is planning to open an emergency dental clinic for children and adults. The need clearly is there.
We deeply appreciate the work of Dr. Garza and the others who helped us serve these children in June.
