July 2026

My pediatric dentist, Douglas Pincock, in Rockville, Maryland was the son of my first employer, Dr. Carolyn Pincock, MD. He gave free care to our three children for 14 years (1971-1985), even when I forgot their appointments three times in a row when we were moving to Germany! There was a condition: I must look at every patient’s teeth when I did their mouth exam, refer them for dental care from age 2 or earlier if they had problems, and call his home or office phone if I had questions about oral or tooth lesions. He then arranged for same or next day visits for them in his office and I received interim management instructions for their care. The other pediatric dentists in the D.C. area joined him in offering immediate care in response to my calls for help about patients who lived nearer to them!

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children: A medical dental collaborative (HTHC) received generous grants from the DentaQuest Foundation between 2010-2020. The PA Head Start Association and the PA Association of Community Health Centers were also funded by the DentaQuest Foundation. In 2014, the DentaQuest Foundation suggested that the three groups form the PA Oral Health Collective Impact Initiative (POHCII) and work together. Upon HTHC first receiving our grant, we tried unsuccessfully to contact the existing oral health coalition, which was in its infancy. Two years later, we were successful and I was invited to the last meeting of that coalition during which Lisa Schildhorn and Cheryl Jansen were commissioned to “reimagine” the coalition. Lisa was working closely with HTHC and POHCII and I became involved as PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) reformed itself and was on the first reorganized board. When POHCII was formed, the early board of PCOH joined with the other three organizations and we worked together tightly as the POHCII! PCOH finally got its own 501(c)3 designation and the other three organizations were joined by the PA Office of Rural Health to form the Family Oral Health Collective of PCOH. This group continues to meet monthly to coordinate our work and share funding opportunities. Amazing trust has developed between us!

Getting physicians who don’t really value and care for their own teeth to look at and care for their patients' teeth! Having them accept that the right thing to do in the medical office, from cutting of first tooth to death, is to include oral health prevention education and application of fluoride varnish in their practice, regardless of availability of reimbursement.

All medical offices – primary care and specialty, would examine the teeth of their patients at every visit and apply or teach their patients to apply fluoride varnish four times per year in addition to practicing oral health prevention strategies. This includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and drinking water between meals. AND that fluoride at 0.7 ppm would be adjusted in all drinking water including bottled water! 

The amazing people at PCOH, PAAAP, the PA Head Start Association, the PA Office of Rural Health, and the PA Association of Community Health Centers who work so hard to collaborate and achieve our goals. Our monthly FOHC meetings provide me inspiration every time we meet!

Singing in the Reading Choral Society and Atonement Lutheran Church Choir, working with resident committees and council here at the Highlands, and traveling when I am able. And, I have an amazing husband who has supported my crazy behavior for 60 years!