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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 2010)
OREGON S LE S B lAN/GAY/B l/TRANS/QUEER NEWSMAGAZINE experience at helping someone get over their anxiety, have the treatment done, get out of pain and move on. And these students do a phenomenal job. They’re amazing. They jump right in and do a really good job.” While anxiety is a common experience for dental patients, dentists working out of the mobile clinic have to be especially cre ative when it comes to fostering a calming environment since IV anesthesia, oral seda tion and “laughing gas” (nitrous oxide) are not an option. “We just take the time to really explain to the patient what’s going on, to really listen to them if they have questions, and if they’re feeling anything uncomfortable we’ll stop and reassess. We’re not in a rush to just try and push them through,” Beck says. “It’s just a real test of patience, for the patients and for the staff, because we don’t have some of the tools that can sort of desensitize people—we have local anesthetic, and we use as much as we need to make people numb so they don’t feel what we’re doing. We’re as kind as we can be.” Still, despite the minimal supplies and “elbow-to-elbow” workspace, Beck says patients are generally grateful to have free access to much-needed services they could otherwise not afford. Beck volunteers at the clinic once or twice a month, traveling to whatever parts of Portland have the greatest need for his services. Over the course of a 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift, he typically sees about 15 patients. “The population we’re working on, don’t have regular access to healthcare and so for them to be able to come in and have some dental work done at no charge to get them AUGUST 20 2010 out of pain, it’s just a godsend for them,” Beck says. “Fve been doing this for 10 or 11 years and I’m still amazed how these people have nothing. Most of them don’t have homes, they don’t have jobs, they’re just living day to day, many of them on the street. They are so appreciative and, most of them, so upbeat when they come in that it’s just amazing to me. So that really sticks with me.” When Beck isn’t providing dental care or education, he takes care of his own health by cycling, working out and enjoying the outdoors. He also travels regularly with his partner, Jorge Garza, a professional opera singer who tours in the United States and Europe. It is this privileged life that inspires Beck to contribute to the community. “It’s my way of giving back,” Beck says. “Dentistry has afforded me a comfortable life and I feel very blessed.” J K 13 J * D o n 't G am b le W ith Your R ig h ts! • Free Consultation • No Obligation • No Fee, No Recovery GIBBS McVEA A Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Firm Call Us Now 503.223.1708 Josh Gibbs John McVea Member: Oregon Bar, OTLA, OCDLA, MBA The Broadway Plaza • 2121 SW Broadway, Suite 130 Visit our website fo r m ore info rm a tio n : w w w . w w w . g i b b s m c v e a . c o m UR.EiLHUR.ST ENTISTRN / GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Offering the latest in advanced dental technoloy: + Low radiation digital x-rays + Porcelain veneers and crowns + Cerec single-appointment porcelain crowns left to right Corinne Anderson, DMD Sheila Bennett, DMD Adrienne Fischi, HMD + Invisalign 2 5 2 0 EAST BURNSIDE. PORTLAND, OR 97214 PH ( 5 0 3 ) 2 3 3 - 3 6 2 2 FX: ( 5 0 3 ) 2 3 3 - 5 8 8 2 W W W .L A U R E L H U R S T D E N T IS T R Y .C O M 5 4 Years o f Experience and... We Won't Be U ndersold! 4220 N MISSIS S IP P I^ 503-719-45ÓÌ " B j ^ "Huge selection, the best deals in the Northwest, and friendly people like me!" TM Ill'll single ........... - • digital excellence 4275 SW 139th Way Beaverton ni ni ..... printing services tel 5 0 3 .2 8 1 .8 6 6 6 • delivery included www.impress-usa.com James Stafford 503-372-3115 He170gMeier.com 97005
