 THESE DENTISTS LEAVE ‘EM SMILING: It was mutual appreciation night at the regular meeting of the Cape Cod District Dental Society as Cape Cod Dentists Care recognized its cooperating dentists. (From left) Dr. Bob Faiella, Miriam Erickson, Dr. Tom Borgia and Representative Shirley Gomes. |
Sixty-seven volunteer dentists who have participated in the program during its first two years of existence were recognized with “Awards of Excellence” by Cape Cod Dentists Care before the Cape Cod District Dental Society’s regular meeting at Alberto’s Ristorante in Hyannis April 13.
CCDC is a Capewide program under the aegis of the Lower/Outer Cape Cod Community Coalition in cooperation with the Dental Society. The program provides free or low cost dental care to needy residents. Participating dentists-the number is now 70 (and counting) of the Society’s 180 members-treat patients either in their own offices or at one of the Cape’s several free dental clinics.
Eight of the participating dentists also received special recognition as “Dental Champions” for devoting extraordinary time to the program: Doctors Tom Borgia of Sandwich, Richard Bravman of Hyannis, Robert Faiella of Osterville, Linda Fortenberry of Dennis, Arthur Hartung of North Eastham, John Langston of Bourne, Daniel Mahoney of Osterville and Joseph A. Vogt of Falmouth.
“We have a social covenant with those less fortunate,” commented Dr. Faiella, president of the Massachusetts Dental Society, who played a major role in getting Cape dentists involved in the program.
And Dr. Borgia, Cape Cod Trustee to the Mass Society and clinical advisor to CCDC, received a singular honor as the first winner of a special service award that is being presented in his name, the Anthony T. Borgia award.
“We have to congratulate ourselves on our efforts for Cape Cod Dentists Care,” he told his assembled colleagues. “This is now considered to be a model program and admired around the country.”
In its first two years, CCDC has provided dental care valued at nearly $150,000 for over 300 patients.
State legislators in attendance included Representatives Matt Patrick, Demetrius Atsalis, Jeff Perry and Shirley Gomes, who also serves as honorary chair of CCDC’s fund-raising Sustainability Subcommittee.
The CCDC also recognized Miriam Erickson, founding program director of CCDC, and introduced her successors.
With two of its administrators moving on to other fields, the Oral Health Task Force of the Lower/Outer Cape Community Coalition has been reorganized.
Miriam Erickson, founding program director for Cape Cod Dentists Care (CCDC), has taken a job in the private sector and Katie Jacobus, the Tooth Tutoring coordinator, has been hired as a therapist by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
The Coalition has decided to merge the administration of its two dental programs. Gail Quinn will serve as overall Oral Health Coordinator with responsibility for CCDC. She will be assisted by Jackie Zibrat-Long, who also will oversee the Tooth Tutoring school programs. Both are Cape Cod residents.