LESSON REVIEW # 36A......A Children's Dentist Speaks

     Cleophas Mike McAlpin...... Chief Tutor

     Doctor Gardner Beale..D.D.S....Volunteer Tutor   Lesson Review...July 16, 2000 

Doctor Gardner Beale is a children's Dentist. His office is at 8930 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite # 205 in Los Angeles, Telephone # (310) 641-9233 . Doctor Beale let all of the 12 attending students of "A Free Tutoring Service" know that there is more to being a Dentist than drilling teeth, performing root canals and collecting finances for such. Doctor Beale performed a 2 hour (and sometimes emotional) lecture that allowed all to see that he is a dedicated Dentist. He seemed very distressed that parents would neglect their children's mouths and allow them to get dental problems. He pointed out several childhood dental problems that are repeated over and over by parents who are unaware of dental hygiene. He is distressed that he has to sedate children to work on their teeth. It could all be avoided if parents knew something about dental hygiene. Baby bottles, for example, left in infant's mouths while they are sleeping can cause serious problems with teeth.

Doctor Beale came to our classroom with some of the tools of the Dentist. He had models of the teeth that he allowed the students to examine. The students were given an overview of 1. A Career as a Dentist 2. Dental Problems 3. Preventative Maintenance 4. Statistics Related to Becoming a Dentist. The lecture was very comprehensive and well received by all of the students. It is difficult to cover all that was discussed and so this article will only contain highlights of Doctor Beale's lecture. For a complete lecture, you may obtain a video tape of his lecture by sending an e-mail to seemacal2@cs.com  (A fee of $5.00 to cover postage and handling is required).

Doctor Beale began by letting the class know of his High School G.P.A. of 3.8. He made it clear that he was not bragging about such a high G.P.A., but letting them know that good grades are a must to becoming a Dentist. He said that it is also necessary to take Algebra in the 9th grade. He told the students to speak to their High School Counselors to make sure that all of the requirements are met for becoming part of the Medical field. (That is where our Tutoring Service comes into play). He encouraged the students to become active in community service organizations, school and church organizations. Doctor Beale said that it requires 8 years of college to become a Dentist, but he completed his schooling in 7.

The enamel of the teeth is the hardest structure of the human body. It can be attacked and destroyed by bacteria if the bacteria is allowed ample time to grow. Cavities appear as a result of a successful bacterial invasion of the enamel. It is very important to floss every day. At least if is not possible to floss each day, floss at least every 48 hours because that is the time it takes bacteria to colonize. Cavities need a host, carbohydrates and bacteria. The host is the tooth. The carbohydrate is sugar and then the bacteria can act to eat away at the enamel to cause a cavity. Candy is the main contributor to children's dental problems. Some candy, such as Dutch Chocolate, has been shown to prevent dental decay.

Doctor Beale stressed the high cost of root canals and related tooth repairs. Minorities are most affected by dental problems because of economics and Racial bias. Fluoridation of water supplies has not always included Minority communities.

A Dentist can make between $300,000 and $700,000 in his private practice, working alone. It would be very taxing on one Dentist to make more. A Dentist can make a lot more if he were to take on more Dentist. That might lead to more problems and less of a good service. All Dentist are not the same, as it is in any Profession. Some Dentist are not as good as others and some are not as dedicated to their patients as others. 

Doctor Beale stressed giving back to the community. Give some of your time to teach the young people. Money will fade away, but the memory of someone helping someone else will last forever. Doctor Beale is one of the Faculty member of the University of Southern California. He has been responsible for many graduates becoming Dentist. He seemed awfully saddened that among his graduates, there have been no Blacks.

Thank you, Doctor Gardner Beale. You are an inspiration to us all.

Dr. Beale and students

Before Doctor Beale's arrival at our classroom, Cleophas "Mike" McAlpin gave some new students a brief overview of the Free Tutoring Service. He reviewed several mathematical operations such as scientific notation, fractions and some Astronomy. The regular students answered his barrage of questions concerning math and science. After Dr. Beale's lecture, some of the students were taken to the residence of another Volunteer Tutor, Retired Colonel and Vice President of a leading Aerospace Company, Aubry McAlpine. Aubry and Patricia's residence sits high on top of the Rancho Palos Verdes Peninsula hillside and provides an excellent view of the Pacific Ocean. The students presented Aubry a small gift (flashlight) as a token of appreciation for his continuing support of their Organization. Aubry, below right, was a gracious host to Keyotta and Shavonn who sit poolside and enjoy the view and the California Sun.

Below, Monicia and son: Below right, Pat, Woodie and Tyke. All are involved in child development and social services. What a gathering! Happy Birthday, Tyke!