Volunteer dental providers are the heart and soul of the Capital Area Dental  Foundation.  Throughout the year, these generous men and women open up their  offices (and their hearts) to people in need.

Once a quarter, CADF shines the spotlight on one of these dedicated dental  providers. This quarter, we are proud to recognize Dr. Bethany Petersen.

Dr. Peterson hails from Bozeman, Montana, but got to Texas as fast as she could.    She attended dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in  Houston (where she met her husband) and moved to Austin after graduation to  start her career.  She is now an associate at the Rose Dental Group in the South  Austin location, a practice well known for giving back to the community.

Dr. Petersen was invited to attend the CADF Gala three years ago.  She filled out one of the volunteer cards and was connected with her first CADF patient just a week later.  Bethany credits two current board members, Melinda Perrier and Dr. Barry Rouch, with helping her get more involved with charitable dentistry.  “The entire CADF Board is just amazing,” Dr. Petersen said.

“I just love people and have always wanted to do something in charitable dentistry,” said Dr. Petersen.  “My first CADF patient, Carmen, was a full-mouth case through Goodwill.  She was the nicest lady, but when I first met her she had really low self-esteem.  She was in a lot of pain and had lost a lot of her teeth.  She could only eat soft foods and was too ashamed to smile or go anywhere.”

Over the course of many months, Dr. Petersen was able to restore Carmen’s smile back to the way it used to be.  “Carmen now smiles all the time and looks and feels like a million bucks.  She is literally like a different person and has found a new job,” says Dr. Petersen.

Dr. Petersen is an avid runner and the proud owner of two active dogs.  But that doesn’t stop her from picking up and dropping off her patients who do not have transportation or delivering warm socks and food at homeless shelters on cold nights.  “CADF has really helped open my eyes to all the need out there in the community.  I could not fathom being someone who does not help people.” Petersen said.

Thank you Dr. Petersen for your generous spirit and inspiring leadership!

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Capital Area Dental Foundation, please contact Liz Rubio at l.rubio@capitalareadentalfoundation.org or 512-992-1217.

The Capital Area Dental Foundation is deeply grateful to the following dentists who volunteered their time to care for CADF patients between January 2015-March 2015. Thank you for giving back to the community and using your talent and skills to transform lives and restore dignity.

For more information about becoming a CADF volunteer, please contact Liz Rubio at l.rubio@capitalareadentalfoundation.org or 512-992-1217.  To read more about our programs, click here. 

Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring Campaign:

Aloha Dental

Dr. Robin Bethell

Dr. Franklin Bonasso

Dr. Gene Hassell

Dr. Patrick Jaekle

Dr. Alice Johnson

Dr. Kavin Kelp

Dr. Stan LaCroix

Dr. Kent Macaulay

Dr. Steve Perkins

Dr. Wayne C. Radwanski

Dr. Barry Rouch

Dr. Don Taylor

Goodwill Central Texas:

Dr. Gene Hassell

Dr. Lynley Shook (One Smile Provider)

St. Vincent de Paul:

Dr. Darryl Baucum

Dr. Jean Feldman

Dr. Simon Garza

Dr. Kent Macaulay

Dr. Wayne Radwanski

Dr. Michael Shedlosky

Vida Dental

 Health Alliance for Austin Musicians:

The demand for charitable dental care in the Austin area is growing. The Capital Area Dental Foundation is up for the challenge, but we need more dental providers to stand with us. We currently have over 90 volunteer providers participating in one or more of our four dental care programs, but we need more to have an even greater impact on the community.

Currently, less than 1 in 10 licensed dentists in the Capital Area region participate in CADF programs. We know we can do better and have launched a special campaign to introduce dentists to the power of charitable dentistry.

Take CADF’s One Smile pledge today. This is a ONE-TIME commitment. All we ask is for you to accept one case. You choose the program. You provide the care in the comfort of your own office at a time that fits your schedule.

Get a taste for being a CADF volunteer provider. If you love your experience, we can match you with additional patients. If you are too busy to take on another case, no problem. When you sign up as a One Smile provider, your only obligation is to take ONE case.

Taking the One Smile challenge is easy—just fill out the ONLINE FORM.

Take the pledge to be a CADF One Smile Provider today.
It’s an easy way to share your talents and give back to the community.

It only takes One Smile to change a life.

Questions? Call us at 512-992-1217 or email

 Gala pictures are now available on our web site or Facebook page.

Thank you to everyone who attended and enjoy!

Dr. Ronald Horne

Volunteer dental providers are the heart and soul of the Capital Area Dental Foundation.  Every day in offices across the Austin area, dentists and their staff are transforming lives through dental health.

Once a quarter, CADF shines the spotlight on these dedicated providers.  This month, we are proud to highlight the work of two oral surgeons, Dr. Ronald D. Horne and Dr. Michael Shedlosky of Lone Star Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

“Helping someone out and not expecting anything in return feels really good. It is an addictive feeling. I promise you will want to do it again.” Dr. Ronald D. Horne.

In practice for over 30 years in Austin, Dr. Horne is a devoted music fan and a drummer himself.  When he had the opportunity to support local musicians by becoming a HAAM dental provider, he jumped at the chance.  “Live music is such a big part of who we are in Austin.  The big headliners do pretty well, but most musicians are struggling to make ends meet.  That’s why I have always supported HAAM.  I want to help these hardworking musicians access the healthcare they need.  Plus, we get to meet a lot of fun people.”

Dr. Horne often takes on complex cases, many which go over the $600 allowance that each HAAM member receives for dental care.  “We work with our HAAM patients on a reduced fee schedule and concede a portion of our fee.  It is working out great for us.”  In 2014, Lone Star OMS treated 25 HAAM patients.

Dr. Horne offers the following advice to young dentists just starting out: “One of the best ways to build your practice is to get involved with charitable dentistry.  Word of mouth builds your practice and everybody is going to like the fact that you are doing things to help people out.”

Dr. Michael Shedlosky

Dr. Michael Shedlosky, also with Lone Star OMS, is a volunteer provider with the St. Vincent de Paul emergency dental program.  A retired Air Force Colonel, Dr. Shedlosky learned about the program through his church.  “The patients I treat through the St. Vincent de Paul program are financially challenged and have nowhere else to turn.  Dental pain and infection should be the last thing they need to worry about,” Dr. Shedlosky said.  In 2014, Dr. Shedlosky treated five St. Vincent de Paul patients, eliminating their pain and suffering so that they could move on with their lives.  “Volunteering is a way of giving back to the community and gives you a sense of satisfaction,” he said.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Capital Area Dental Foundation, please contact Liz Rubio at l.rubio@capitalareadentalfoundation.org or 512-992-1217.

If you are interested in treating just one CADF patient, please consider joining CADF’s One Smile Campaign now by clicking here and filling out a simple form.  It is easy to try out our programs in your office and on your time. It only takes one smile to change a life.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/capital-area-dental-foundation-donates-care-to-sea/njPZp/