On Saturday, May 1st my children -Ryley and Kooper (ages 5) participated in the Denver M.S. 5 k walk sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank. What another amazing way to give back to the amazing individuals who make up our communities. We all face struggles in our lifetime, unfortunately, some more than others. I feel very strongly that any contribution whether big or small makes a huge difference in our society. As they say “pay it forward”. I want to influence my children on the importance of giving back and the impact it can have on so many people.  So we joined forces with hundreds of individuals (some living with M.S., some walking for a loved one, and some just there to support the awareness) at 7:30 a.m. on May 1st.  Ryley and Kooper were excited to join in the pancake breakfast since it is one of their favorite cuisines .  After, we prepared our faces with M.S. tattoos and dawned orange shirts to support the effort. We then visited the kids korner and made bird houses. With sticky fingers, we  proceeded to the puppy palace to watch all the different breeds and owners dressing their pooches up in adorable outfits. You see, even canines can support their loved ones and win a prize for the best outfit. During all of these activities we had the pleasure to listen to some great local bands volunteering their time and support. At 9:30 the walk begin in city park, what a beautiful place for a walk. There were children, adults, canines, jogging strollers galore (and the occasional goose crossing the path) all with the same destination in mind. Finding a cure. I must give a shout out to all the volunteers who made this a great experience from the waterstations, snacks, cheerleaders to the sanitation department (especially for little ones with small bladders). Thank you for your time and efforts.

Here is a little information about M.S.-multiple sclerosis and the colorado chapter raising funds for this disease. M.S. is a chronic, auto immune disease that attacks the central nervous system, it can range in severity from mild to disabling symptoms. About 400,000 individuals suffer from M.S. and about 200 people are diagnosed weekly. Women are also two to three times more likely to suffer than men, and more prevelance has been noted in regions north of the equator (possibly due to the deficiency of vitamin D).

The Colorado Chapter supports 9 walks this month in hopes to raise funds for research, finding a cure and providing services for people living with M.S.  I am happy  announce that the Denver walk has raised a total of $489,220 thus far with every expectation to exceed their goal of $650,000. Keep in mind this is just one walk out of the nine walks scheduled. 

On an end note….my 5 year old children were able to help join the fight. They have also motivated their friends and teachers to help support. I am a very proud Mommy of two amazing children who want to help make a difference in the world they live in. (more…)

Wow! Children’s Museum, located in Lafayette, CO, is having it’s Annual Auction and Casino Night Fundraiser on April 10, 2010.  Dr. Hughes and Boulder Valley Dental have donated two custom teeth whitening packages for the auction to help the Children’s Museum get one step closer to their goal to raise $55,000!  Support your local WOW! Children’s Museum this Saturday and enter the auction to have a brighter, whiter smile!!!   www.wowmuseum.com

We had a BLAST collecting food donations for the Community Food Share food drive!  It was a beautiful day, and we were constantly in awe at the generosity of the fabulous people of Louisville and their donations!  We were able to accumulate hundreds of pounds of food. 

It doesn’t always occur to us that some people may be hungry, they might not have that bag of chips to reach for, or milk to pour over their cereal.  We were honored to be able to help and look forward to doing it again soon!

If you would like to help, please go to www.communityfoodshare.com, opportunities are waiting!!

When our patient Christine called Kim regarding donations for her daughters brownie troop, Kim immediately came to me and we both thought of things we could donate.

Every year, Brownie Troop #537 tries to make Christmastime brighter for members of their community.  How exciting it was that Boulder Valley Dental Center was asked to help! With Kims help, we were able to donate 30-50 tubes of toothpaste and 30-50 floss samples.

Thanks Troop 537 for letting us be a part of your good deed!

This holiday season, we are excited to announce the first of many dates Boulder Valley Dental Center will be working with Community Food Share.  Tuesday, November 24 from 12pm to 2:30pm we will be at the King Soopers on South Boulder Road in Louisville. 

We are thankful for so many things, it is important to us to be able to give back in some way.

If you have any suggestions on how Boulder Valley Dental can help in another area, please do not hesitate to bring it to our attention!

Happy Holidays, hope to see you soon!

Time to make some chili!

1 lb cubed corn-fed (Go Huskers!) sirloin

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 can pinto beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (drained)

1/4 c chili powder

2 t cumin

2 t crushed red pepper

1 t cayenne pepper

1t garlic salt

1 t onion salt

1-2 T flour

2-4 cups water (depending on consistency you prefer)

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown sirloin and add seasonings.  Add flour to coat beef.  Add water and tomatoes,  simmer for 25 minutes.  During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add beans with liquid.  Serve in breadbowls or with tortilla chips or crackers.  Garnish with sour cream and shredded cheese.YUM!!! GO BIG RED!!!!!

The gift of a smile… for a friend… for the world! program has been very successful thanks to our wonderful patients helping make a difference.  The program is very simple:  Tell a friend about our great care…and help make a difference in your world!  Every time you refer a friend, we’ll give to the charity of your choice.  The more you refer, the more the world smiles  

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide.  The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  Allow us to help you make a donation to JDRF in your name .

From now until the end of September, we are doubling our donation to JDRF to support people with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.  For each person you refer that schedules and experiences their first appointment in our office, a $50 donation will be made in your name. This donation will make a dramatic impact as JDRF moves life altering research out of the lab and into human clinical trials.  For example, if you refer a family of 4, we donate $200 in your name to those devastated by the storm.  Just click “send a referral email” to the right or forward this email to your friends, family and coworkers.

Thank you for your generosity.

Have a great day!

Dr. Tracey Hughes

Your team is GREAT! Thank you!! Stephanie B.

Earlier this week we had a wonderful opportunity to see two siblings (7 years old and 9 years old) from the Boulder Valley School District who were in great need of dental care.  The young boy and girl are from a low income family.

Dr. Tracey Hughes participates in the Boulder Valley School District’s Adopt-A-Smile program which gives underserved children in need of restorative dentistry the dental care they need.  The school district provided a Spanish speaking interpreter who came along with the children and her mother to our office to allow for very smooth communication.

Cosmetic and Restorative Sedation dentist, Dr. Tracey Hughes, provided in excess of $3000 in dental fillings, dental sealants, and dental extractions while the children were comfortable and relaxed using nitrous oxide sedation aka. “laughing gas” and watching cartoons on TVs mounted on the ceilings.  The children left with a smile

This is Dr. Hughes’s second year participating in the Adopt-A-Smile program since she relocated from her successful sedation dentistry practice in Riverside, Iowa to her now growing, successful sedation dental practice in Louisville, Colorado.  Last year, Boulder Valley Dental Center provided over $12,000 in necessary dental care to 9 children from the Boulder Valley School District.  Dr. Hughes, through this program each year, provides children in need without access to dental care such dental treatment as preventive cleanings, exams, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, restorative dental fillings, root canal treatments and tooth extractions.

“We live in such a wonderful community here in Louisville, and I really appreciate what the Boulder Valley School District has done for my 6 year old son Ben, so it’s the least I can do to give back to the community.  The Adopt-A-Smile children are so much fun to have in our practice and they are so well behaved considering challenges such as language barriers and it is the first time many of these children have been in a dental office setting.  It is very rewarding to receive the handmade thank you cards and pictures the kids send us in return.”