Share the Care Dental

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

Peggy Yamagata, RDH, MEd
Program Manager
Peggy, a Registered Dental Hygienist, is the program manager for Dental Health Initiative/ Share the Care. Her career in dental hygiene has included private practice, teaching at the University of Washington, and consulting. In 1994, Peggy became the program manager for Share the Care. She oversees all program operations including policy and program development. In addition, she serves as a community liaison promoting dental awareness, and lectures extensively for professional and community functions. Peggy has received numerous accolades from the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and several community organizations for her efforts to provide access to dental care. She is a recipient of the Excellence in Dental Hygiene Award.

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.

Nancy Starr, MPH, RDH
Health Educator/ Dental Hygienist
Nancy first came to Share the Care in 1995 as a student intern. She continued to work with the program while training to become a hygienist and teaching at Southwest Community College. Currently, she works in the community to help educate professionals and families about the importance of oral health. She will be assisting in the dissemination of oral health education in child care and preschool programs and also among public health nurses. Nancy also coordinates sealant and fluoride varnish clinics throughout the County. In addition to her field work, Nancy also works as a dental hygienist in a clinical setting.

Druann Andrecht, RDH
Health Educator/ Dental Hygienist
Druann joined Share the Care in 2002. She is a registered dental hygienist who has worked in private practice, holding both clinical and administrative positions. For four years she was employed as a Dental Hygienist Educator and Consultant for a dental pharmaceutical company. She supports Share the Care by assisting in disseminating oral health education at community based organizations, among public health nurses, and library staff. In addition to her commitment with Share the Care, Druann is a Dental Hygienist Educator and Consultant for a dental pharmaceutical company and she serves as Director of Development and Outreach for a non-profit organization.

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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