LLU School of Dentistry - Dentalgram, February 2000

Pediatric dental clinic ribbon cutting brings special supporters
Barbara Bostwick

Ribbon-cutting

Ribbon cutting for Hutto-Patterson Pediatric Dental Clinic: Drs. Charles J. Goodacre, J. Todd Milledge, John Peterson, and Mr. Richard Dougherty celebrate with Mrs. Clare Hutto, president of the Hutto-Patterson Foundation.

A special preview tour of the new Hutto-Patterson pediatric dental clinic was held January 26 in the School of Dentistry. The event honored the Hutto-Patterson Charitable Foundation, which provided the naming gift for the new facility, and gave the faculty, staff and students the first opportunity to view their new quarters.

Dean Charles J. Goodacre, SD'71, MSD, welcomed the group and thanked the foundation for their early commitment to this project over six years ago. Todd Milledge, SD'88, PG'95, assistant professor and pediatric dentistry chair; and John Peterson, Jr., SD'70, MS'78, professor of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, and director of the advanced education program in pediatric dentistry, also expressed heartfelt appreciation for the foundation's support demonstrated through the years.

Participating on behalf of the foundation were Mrs. Clare Hutto, president, and Richard Dougherty, trustee. Special guests included Noni Patchett, Dorothy Patchett, and Wilder Eby, DDS, Councilors of Loma Linda University.

A surprise presentation was made by Richard Dougherty on behalf of the "friends of pediatric dentistry." Upon learning that the clinic needed additional funds for an x-ray machine, Mr. Dougherty had gathered gifts from the above group to make the purchase of that equipment possible.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the group toured the new clinic, which features 14 patient operatories, a separate entrance and reception area on the east side of Prince Hall. Each dental chair has a ceiling-mounted television above to entertain the little patients during their visit.

Pediatric dentistry records over 6,000 patient visits each year, including children with special needs such as those who are emotionally, mentally or physically challenged. Over the years, the pediatric dental clinic has been situated in several different locations within the School of Dentistry. The most recent site was originally designed as an adult prosthodontic clinic. Patient services will be transferred to the new clinic the week of February 7.

Staff at buffet Pediatric dentistry staff and grad students

A lunch buffet was enjoyed by the special guests, as well as pediatric dentistry graduate students, faculty and staff. From left, Jennifer Hoffer, SD'94, Jennifer Barry, SD'99, Kellie McNeil, J. Todd Milledge, SD'88, PG'95, and Maria Sheu, SD'94. Staff and graduate students of the pediatric dentistry department gather to show appreciation to the Hutto-Patterson Foundation officers.