Changing lives and spreading care

Improving and enhancing the quality of life for low-income children and adults in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas through access to oral healthcare.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.

About Us

The finest dental professionals are ready to take care of you and your family!

Dentists Who Care is a  non-profit charitable organization that was created in 1996 to help solve the problem of poor oral health among children in the Rio Grande Valley. Their mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life for low-income families who have no dental insurance through access to oral health care. To accomplish their goal, the organization directs the volunteer efforts of over 200 dentists and their dental assistants who donate their services on board a mobile dental unit. Basic treatments include a digital panoramic x-ray and a comprehensive oral exam by the dentists. If time permits, treatments such as cleanings, restorations, sealants, fluoride treatments or extractions are also performed. If the children need additional treatments, they are issued a voucher. As part of the Charity Dental Voucher Program, this allows for the children to receive comprehensive treatments from the comfort of the dentists’ offices at no cost to their families.

To date, the organization has provided over $9.5 million dollars in charitable care to over 27,000 children (and adults). Dentists Who Care has been recognized by locally elected leaders, municipalities and county commissioners as well as by former Governor George Bush. Recognition from their professional ranks has also been received including citations from the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the ADA Health Foundation.

Board of Directors

Saam Zarrabi, D.D.S.

Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
President

Miguel Castillo III, D.D.S.

Beautiful Smiles
Vice President

Gary Schwarz, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Valley OMS
Secretary

Adam Lalonde, D.D.S.

Los Fresnos Dental Center
Treasurer/Past President

Dr. Armando Salazar III

Krystle Garza, D.D.S.

Member

Grayson Sellers, D.D.S.

Vice President

Board & Staff

Staff

Jacqueline Flores

Executive Director

Mary Mendez

SMILE Voucher/ Event Coordinator

Apply for Help

SMILE Voucher Program

The Charity Dental Voucher Program has proven to be very successful and has been well received. Local dentists in the Rio Grande Valley contribute approximately three $300.00 vouchers per month. The vouchers are provided to the elementary school nurses and are given to children who are eligible. They qualify if the family is considered low income and the child has no insurance, Medicaid or CHIPS benefits. In addition, the nurse will contact the Dentists Who Care staff and arrange an appointment with one of the dentists who donate the cost of treatments if a child goes to the nurse complaining of pain that in turn affect the child’s health and well being.

Mobile Dental Unit

The Mobile Dental Unit, delivered in 1999, is built on a thirty-seven foot long RV chassis and has two complete dental delivery systems, digital panoramic radiography equipment, and a computer network. Upon entry into the MDU, each child has a panoramic x-ray taken which the dentist reviews by downloading it onto the monitor at his chair before he/she begins the comprehensive oral exam. If any problems are found and, time permitting, the child may receive treatment that day. This could include but is not limited to amalgams (fillings), sealants, and extractions. Children may also have their teeth cleaned. In addition to receiving treatment for their dental problems, each child receives an oral health care incentive packet (toothbrush, sample toothpaste and floss, and dental-related information). There are instances when the dental work a child needs is too involved for the dentist to do on the MDU. If this situation should arise, the dentist will issue a Charity Dental Voucher so that the child can receive the necessary treatment at his/her office free of charge.

Events

Dentists Who Care (DWC), Cordially invites you to join us for our 26th Annual Charity CE Dental Conference on South Padre Island October 20-21,2023 at the Isla Grand Beach Resort. Every $1 raised will contribute to our campaign to help children & adults in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). 

The fact that all the Conference proceeds go toward charitable dental care in the Rio Grande Valley is a success that Dentists Who Care can feel proud of. By banding together, Dentists Who Care can be an example to the rest of the country in how a group of focused providers can autonomously alleviate the oral health problems of a community.

To accomplish our mission Dentists Who Care holds several fundraising and community-spirited events throughout the year from our Annual Charity CE Dental Conference, Golf Tournament, and our newly 5K Run-Walk.

Thank you to our Speakers who make this possible!

We look forward to seeing you at our

26th Annual Charity CE Dental Conference

October 20 – 21, 2023!

For more information and updates on our 2023 Conference, please visit our website at

WWW.DENTISTSWHOCARE.US

Volunteers of the Year

17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Our 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was a Great Success!

We had a fun-filled day with a total of 19 teams participate in our 3-man team event at the beautiful Tierra Santa Golf Club in Weslaco, Tx., on Friday, April 21, 2017! Thanks to all the businesses and individuals who showed their support by being a sponsor and/or donating items for our charitable event!  Also, thanks to the students from the UTRGV Pre-Dental Society and the staff from Compass Bank as well as to family and friends who volunteered their time! Special thanks to Nobel Biocare for being our Platinum Crown Sponsor for four consecutive years and to the following Gold, Silver and Bronze Crown Sponsors for supporting our organization this year:

Congratulations to the following 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Teams for winning a total of $1,500 in Prize Money, which consisted of $750 (1st Place), $450 (2nd Place) and $300 (3rd Place):

Congratulations to our Contest Winners:

Closest to the Pin (#4) – NEXGRILL Gas Grill – Jack Arnold

Closest to the Pin (#8) – $100 Gift Card – Larry Quesada

Closest to the Pin (#13) – NEXGRILL Gas Grill – Jesse Villegas

Closest to the Pin (#17) – Ogio Cart Bag – Rick Luna

Thanks to our Wonderful Donors:

Dentists Who Care Golf Caps – Valley OMS (Dr. Gary Schwarz)

Beer, Cooler Bags, Michelob Ultra Golf Caps and Golf Balls – L & F Distributors

Ogio Cart Bag – Golf Headquarters

Snacks, Water & Soft Drinks – H.E.B.

Jose’s Cafecito Catered Luncheon – Sponsored by Hewitt Dental, Inc.

NEXGRILL GAS GRILLS (2) – Home Depot

Rounds of Golf with Cart – Tierra Santa, Palm View & Shary Municipal Golf Courses

$100 Gift Card – BMR Bookkeeping (Belia Rosas)

Certificates for 1st Place Team Winners & Golf Decals – Dentistry on Purpose

Autographed Copy of Bagger Vance – National Hole-In-One Association

Special thanks to our Golf Tournament Planning Committee Members: Dr. Miguel

Castillo III and Debra Valenzuela.

Enjoy our beautiful Gallery of Pictures!

Top Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Dentist Sponsors

Hole Sponsors

Community Support

Welcome Signs

Door Prizes

Team Winners!

Door Prize Winners

Banners

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION AT OUR 18TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT IN 2018!

Contact Us

Dentists Who Care

307 E. Railroad Street
Weslaco,TX 78597

Office Phone: (956) 318-3383
Fax: (956)-467-4776
Email: dentistswhocare@gmail.com

Periodontic

You have probably heard of Gingivitis and know that it is a mild disease of the gums that can be reversed through professional treatment. What you may not know is that if Gingivitis is left untreated, it can become a very serious gum disease called Periodontitis. When you have Periodontitis, plaque and bacteria have developed below the gums, collecting in pockets next to the roots of your teeth. If severe enough, you could even lose a tooth, or many of your teeth. At (company name) we offer treatments to help repair Periodontitis and hopefully prevent the loss of your teeth.

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Invisalign

Invisalign is a comfortable alternative to braces.  Like braces, you will gradually have your teeth adjusted through gently applied pressure, but unlike braces, you will not have to give up popcorn, candy, gum, or any of your favorite foods!  With Invisalign, you wear clear, customized appliances called aligners.  The aligners are almost undetectable and can be popped in and out easily, virtually eliminating any interference to your daily life.  Every few weeks, you will receive a new set of aligners that will move your teeth ever so slightly, until at the end of treatment, your teeth will be exactly where they should be.  

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Cosmetic Dentistry

 

  • Invisalign Orthodontics
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Cosmetic Smile Enhancement
  • Tooth Colored Composite Fillings
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    Restorative Dentistry

     

  • Veneers
  • Dentures/Partials
  • Root Canal Therapy
  • Dental Implants
  • Crowns/Bridges
  • Laser Gum Treatments
  • TMJ Treatment
  • Occlusal Guards
  • Sleep Apnea Appliances
  • Snore Guard Appliances
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