Dr. Rebecca Slayton becomes new director

March 6, 2013

Dr. Rebecca SlaytonDr. Rebecca Slayton has returned to the University of Washington as the new Director of The Center for Pediatric Dentistry and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Slayton previously was Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She was at the UW from 2004-08 as Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. In that capacity, she was involved in the early planning that led to the creation of The Center, which opened in September 2010.

Until Dr. Slayton’s arrival, The Center was led by Interim Chair Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Seattle and The Center for Pediatric Dentistry,” Dr. Slayton said. “I am impressed with the dedication of the faculty, staff and residents with whom I’ll be working. My goal is to educate families about the importance of good oral health starting with their baby’s first tooth and to empower them to maintain the general and oral health of their children throughout their lives.

“By focusing on providing the best care for each child, the Department will be giving dental students and residents the education needed to become compassionate, ethical healthcare providers.  I look forward to being a part of a strong team committed to improving the lives of children.”

51 children get free screenings at The Center

February 25, 2013

Fifty-one children received free dental screenings at The Center for Pediatric Dentistry on Feb. 23 as part of a celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Faculty, residents and staff members at The Center gave each child a brief visual examination to flag trouble spots in gums, teeth and elsewhere in the mouth. Children and their families also received tips on good oral health habits, as well as a free toothbrush and mouth mirror.

National Children’s Dental Health Month puts a much-needed spotlight on oral health. Tooth decay is preventable, but it remains the most prevalent childhood disease in the United States. In Washington state, nearly 40 percent of children start kindergarten with tooth decay.

Domoto Fund receives Jewell Foundation gift

January 10, 2013

The Beverly J Jewell Memorial Foundation has given $35,000 to the Peter K. Domoto Fund for Children, marking the fourth straight year it has contributed to the fund. The family foundation’s contributions have earned it distinction as a UW Benefactor and the largest contributor to the Domoto Fund.

The fund honoring Dr. Domoto – the former Chair of the UW’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry – provides care at The Center for Pediatric Dentistry for children up to age 18 who are uninsured, underinsured or ineligible for Medicaid.  For more information, contact social worker Heather Marks at hmarks@uw.edu or 206-543-5800.

“The Jewell Foundation’s continued generosity is much appreciated,” says Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario, Interim Chair of Pediatric Dentistry. “The contributions help children who wouldn’t otherwise receive dental care.”

Dr. da Fonseca named associate editor of pediatric dental journal

October 26, 2012

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the authority on children’s oral health, appointed Dr. Marcio da Fonseca as associate editor of the Journal of Dentistry for Children, effective July 1, 2012. He is Law-Lewis Professor and director of the pediatric dental graduate program at The Center for Pediatric Dentistry. In 2005, Dr. da Fonseca participated in the first class of the AAPD’s Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University). He has served as an abstract editor for the AAPD’s journal, Pediatric Dentistry, and as an expert consultant to the AAPD’s Council on Clinical Affairs (2007-2010).

Metro bus ads

August 23, 2012

Metro bus ad

New Metro bus ads are letting Seattle families know there’s a pediatric dental clinic designed to meet the needs of all children.

Clinical Pediatrics posts ‘Physician and Dentist’ symposium proceedings

February 27, 2012

The journal Clinical Pediatrics has published the proceedings of last summer’s Seattle symposium, “Physician and Dentist: Together Managing Early Childhood Oral Health” on its website. Dr. Joel Berg, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Bruder Stapleton, associate dean of the UW School of Medicine and chief academic officer and senior vice president at Seattle Children’s, were co-moderators. Brought together to discuss childhood dental disease, physicians and dentists heard calls for more collaboration on early detection and preventive treatment and new approaches in education and technology. “This is our most prevalent childhood disease,” said Dr. Berg. “And its most frustrating aspect is that the disease is almost entirely preventable.”