Share the Care Dental

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	[our mission] [meet the staff] [presentation topics] Meet the Staff

Howard Taras, MD
UCSD Contracted Principal Investigator
Howard Taras is a pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at University of California-San Diego. He specializes in community pediatrics and school health. He develops, investigates, and promotes innovative ways to improve child/family health behaviors and to change the day-to-day practices of health professionals from various disciplines. Dr. Taras’s research, public speaking, and professional publications are on topics related to community-based system changes to promote health and on the topic of medical consultation to schools.

Olga O’Brien, B.A.
Community Health Promotion Assistant
Since 1994, Olga has served as the Share the Care Community Health Promotion Assistant. Her responsibilities include: overall office management activities essential for the daily operation of the program; and coordination of the emergency/preventive care provided to children referred to the program. Olga attends community outreach functions where she provides dental health education, and serves as bilingual liaison to further enhance our goal to communicate the message of oral health throughout the entire community.

Janice Chincuanco, B.S.
Health Educator
Janice is a health educator for Share the Care, joining in 2007. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Health Science, emphasis in Community Health Education. Janice brings work experience from educating school-aged children (K-6) about the importance of oral health and nutrition. Her role with Share the Care includes disseminating oral health education through community based organizations and maintaining our organization’s website. She also assists in referring school children with emergency dental situations to dentists around the county.

Elaine Pizzola, B.A.
Program Manager
Elaine joined the Dental Health Initiative Share the Care project in July 2010. She has worked on various access to care projects providing extensive outreach into San Diego’s diverse communities bringing preventive health promotion and education. Elaine works for healthy change through building partnerships with community agencies, schools, medical centers and local agencies. She participates on committees and conferences on a state and local level. Elaine works to coordinate project activities.

Josie Vargas, RDH
Health Educator/Dental Hygienist
Josie, a bilingual dental hygienist joined the Share the Care staff in 2010. For over 15 years, Josie has been an advocate for public health education in various access-to-care organizations. As an advocate Josie works with a diverse population in the community emphasizing the importance of oral health to professionals and families. Currently she facilitates the coordination of oral health screenings for programs targeting children prior to school entry. Professionally active, Josie works as a clinical dental hygienist, and is a member of the San Diego County Dental Hygiene Society serving on their board as the Dental Hygiene Student Relations liaison.

Baxter the Beaver
Program Mascot

Baxter is Share the Care’s mascot. Baxter was created by artist Mike Nicholas. In 1998, Baxter granted a special wish by the Tooth Fairy to become “real” so he could go out into the public, meet new friends, and show them how to take care of their smile. He attends events throughout San Diego County promoting the message that a healthy smile is part of a healthy body. If you would like Baxter to visit your community event, please call (619) 692-8858 or email Baxter at: contact@sharethecaredental.org

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