“Took in our son for oral surgery, undergoing Anesthesia. I was quite concerned with how our little would handle such a situation, the amazing staff and support starting immediately in the waiting room made it possible to provide a comfortable environment for him from start to finish!”

-Heidi R. On 9/18/2025

The assembly went really well. It was important to me that the presenter use language that our four year old TK students could understand, and she did! Our students had the opportunity to interact with the presenter and felt heard. I really appreciate that every student went home with a goody bag.
-Claudia Menéndez LCSW, PPSC,  District Guidance Coordinator @ McDowell Elementary School

The Oral Health Education and Prevention assembly was incredibly impactful for our students in TK through 2nd grade. The presenters kept our students’ attention, encouraged interaction, and created a fun, engaging experience. The images of children with untreated tooth decay were eye-opening for our students and sparked many meaningful conversations about the importance of caring for their teeth. The excitement was evident as students proudly carried their new toothbrushes and toothpaste, with many even walking around campus brushing their teeth!
We are so grateful for the time and effort put into this presentation. It left a lasting impression on our young learners, and I truly hope we are able to host this assembly every year.
-Ruth Miller, Principal @ McDowell Elementary School

Rosa and Tara came to our 2nd grade classrooms to talk about oral health. Their presentation was exceptional! What they covered was very engaging and age appropriate. We also loved that the kids went home with special tooth themed goodie bags to encourage healthy dental health at home. There was also a healthy eating cookbook that we've enjoyed with our own children and grandchildren! We would highly recommend inviting Rosa and Tara into your classrooms to educate your students as well! We look forward to having them back!
-Shannon and Robin @ Sequoia Elementary School

In late 2024, PDI received an urgent referral for a 6-year-old girl in Sonoma County suffering from dental pain. The girl and her father had recently migrated from Honduras, escaping violence and persecution in their native country. They had to leave behind the patient’s mother and brother due to limited resources. The father could not read or write in his native language or in English, making it particularly difficult to navigate a new world. PDI’s bilingual referral team immediately went to work, reaching out to the father, the child’s school, and a community medical clinic to coordinate care. The girl did not have the insurance coverage needed to complete the well child exam we require prior to surgery, so our referral team worked with a local clinic to get the family temporary insurance so she could be seen. Within just a couple of weeks, she had an appointment scheduled at PDI to treat her urgent dental needs. Our staff was so inspired by their story and touched by the father’s gratitude that we decided to come together with presents and gift cards to provide a magical Christmas for the patient and her father. When several staff members arrived at their home bearing gifts, we saw the girl’s “PDI Tooth Fairy Certificate” hanging proudly on her bedroom wall. The big smile on her face (and all the smiles to come!) make everything we do worth it.