[btn link=”#”]By Teri Carnicelli[/btn]
Have you heard the joke about the guy who sees his doctor so many times a year, the doctor and his family always send him a postcard from their annual vacation—that the patient paid for.
In truth, there’s nothing funny about the medical industry, especially if you are a lower-income person who is underinsured or not insured at all. You wonder at times who will be there to help you when you really need the medical care?
Here in the Valley, sometimes that answer is: the doctor.
Dunn Orthodontics
Dunn Orthodontics’ commitment to the greater Phoenix community extends beyond creating beautiful smiles. Six local charities will benefit from $18,000 annually as part of Dunn Orthodontics’ new charitable organization called Our HOPE Phoenix. How that $18,000 is distributed depends on the votes of the public.
Through May 30, the first three charities will be featured on the website: www.ourhopephoenix.org. During that time period, people are encouraged to visit the website, learn about the three featured charities and then vote for their favorite. At the end of the voting period, the charity with the most votes will receive $5,000, second place will receive $3,000 and third place will receive $1,000. Aug.1 through Nov. 30 will feature three new charities and voting will start over.
“We feel so lucky to live and work in the Phoenix area and wanted to do something that was going to make a significant positive impact in the community,” said Dr. Courtney Dunn, partner at Dunn Orthodontics. “With Our HOPE Phoenix, we think we can make a real difference.”
“Not only do these charities receive the money, but thousands of people will learn about the good work these charities are doing,” added Dr. Matthew Dunn, Courtney’s husband and business partner. “Hopefully, some of these people will be inspired to either donate directly to that charity or volunteer their time.”
Dunn Orthodontics is located 1515 E. Bethany Home Road, #130. For more information, call 602-864-0004.
Helping infants see
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that forms in the cells of the retina. A very simple procedure that takes less than one minute can detect this cancer.
And it’s free.
The InfantSEE program was created as a resource to increase early detection by providing no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessments to infants between 6 and 12 months of age. Exams are available for any infant regardless of their family’s income, insurance coverage or a family’s number of eligible children. The child also can be a first-time patient of the doctor’s office. Again, there is no office co-pay or visit fee; the exam is totally free.
According to the Retinoblastoma Center of Houston, more than 300 children in the United States are diagnosed each year. This malignant cancer can occur in both eyes and affects infants and young children. Although retinoblastoma can be fatal in children, most parents are not even aware of its existence.
No age is immune to eye diseases, and just because a child is young doesn’t mean they won’t develop a vision problem. Although an infant can’t verbally communicate during an exam, there are several tests conducted by an InfantSEE provider, which can be used to detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and tumors. The earlier a vision problem is detected, the better chance there is to correct or delay vision problems.
Local doctors who provide the InfantSEE screening include:
• Dr. Dawn Heffelfinger and Dr. Robert Jack Maynard Sr., 114 W. Camelback Road, 602-467-3718
• Drs. Marc Bloomenstein, Robert Pinkert and Brian Stephens, 4800 N. 22nd St., 602-708-7271
• Dr. Andrew James Frank III and Dr. Stephanie Mastores, 5727 N. 7th St., Ste. 105, 602-265-8597
• Dr. Stacey Meier, 1702 E. Highland Ave., Ste. 213, 602-279-0055
To learn more about retinoblastoma, its symptoms and suspected causes, visit www.rbhouston.org.
