SEE CUTRIGHT

December 9, 2021

Glendale dentist offering $1M in dental implants

BY LAUREN SERRATO Glendale Star Staff Writer

A Glendale dentist is making his annual effort to help people find their smile to end the year by offering free dental services.

Through Dec. 31, the Simply Implant Institute is offering Arizonans dental implant surgery, extractions and bone grafting at no cost.

In the past, the institute only provided this service and cost savings as part of its monthly physician certification training sessions in which practicing dentists attend from around the country to learn the latest techniques in restorative and implant dentistry.

“The past two years have been tough on people emotionally and financially,” said Dr. James Chaffin, Simply Implants Institute senior faculty instructor.

“As a result, many have put off their dental care to the detriment of their overall health. We want to help them get the dental work done they need by removing the barrier of cost and educating them about their options. In many cases, we can save people thousands of dollars. The only cost they will need to cover is whatever they decide to put on top of their implants — their new teeth above the gum line. We will cover the cost of everything required below their gums. We want to help people smile again and start 2022 off in a healthier, happier place.”

During the monthly SI Institute sessions, the faculty usually oversees all implant procedures; however, now through the end of the year, the Simply Implants Institute faculty doctors will be doing all dental implant procedures and surgeries.

“Our goal is to place over 500 free dental implants in the next 60 days,” Chaffin said. “One person may only need a single implant and a crown to fill a space where their tooth used to be. Someone else may need an entire smile makeover, and another person may want to ditch their old-school denture for an implant-secured denture for a

Dentists with the Simply Implant Institute are offering free dental implants through the end of the year. (Photo courtesy of Simply Implant Institute) more natural look and feel. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s all unique to their fit, function and finances.” Over the past year, the Simply Implants Institute has trained over 60 doctors; placed more than 2,000 implants; and saved Arizonans more than $6 million in implant surgical fees, bone grafting and extractions. Chaffin added that the mission of the SI Institute is to teach doctors to be confident and competent in all areas of implant dentistry through unparalleled, hands-on training. “With the rise in popularity of the ‘All-on-4’ hybrid denture offered by

CUTRIGHT FROM PAGE 1 had many adventures, causes and victories. I know we will meet again, in Christ. See you on that great getting up morning. Praying for the family!”

She never shunned controversial issues like systemic injustices, community police and the workplace. She had a strong spiritual compass and was a great orator and public speaker, Ervin said. Ervin said Linda had a heart for community and persons who were disenfranchised.

“She was very outspoken,” said Ervin, a Surprise resident who formerly lived in Peoria. “She had just as many enemies as friends. People didn’t like her holding them accountable.

“I’m going to examine that at the service. We want the community to know who she is. She was loving. She took in people to stay in her house, whether it was families or friends. She cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner and invited the community to be a part of it. She was very generous and a strong spiritual leader in our church.

“She had a tremendous faith belief. She never had children, but she raised at least 20 children inside and outside of the family. They looked up to her on Mother’s Day.”

The dean of student services at Estrella Mountain Community College, Cutright was a member of the NAACP, board of directors of Bethesda Church of God in Christ and the National Black MBA Association. A licensed minister, she was a graduate of Maricopa Community Colleges’ Women’s Leadership Group.

As the dean, Ervin said, Linda helped more than 3,000 students earn their degrees, as she counseled them and ensured their financial aid was not compromised.

Linda earned her associate degree within the Maricopa Community Colleges system and a bachelor’s degree in management from Grand Canyon University. Her master’s in education with a counseling background is from NAU, and she completed her final application to obtain her Ph.D. in general psychology with Capella University with two focus areas, lifespan and industrial development.

She had strong ties to the staff of municipalities around the West Valley, Ervin explained.

“She worked very closely with the state attorney and the chancellor at the community college, principals at schools, city managers and councilpersons.

“When things went on in the Valley, they made their way to Linda. It’s just a terrible loss. It affects so many people in the community.”

some practices, clients have told us the only solution offered to them is this hybrid denture, even when the patient’s bone is healthy and strong,” Chaffin said.

“Unfortunately, in doing this, the dentist ends up unnecessarily grinding down good bone and removing viable teeth to force the hybrid denture to fit in the patient’s mouth, rather than finding a solution that best fits the patient’s mouth with minimal surgery.”

Now that the institute is offering free services, Chaffin hopes to eliminate some of the unnecessary procedures that ultimately hinders a patient’s dental health.

“I know this sounds barbaric, and it is, especially when it’s not necessary,” he said. “And, I can’t tell you how many people I have met with looking for a second opinion. When I tell them that I can save their healthy teeth, leave their bone intact, and only need to place a few implants to achieve their desired smile, they are overwhelmed with relief. Each client we see receives a personalized treatment plan and usually more than one option when it comes to helping them restore their smile.”

In some instances, Chaffin said an “All-on-4” hybrid denture may be the right solution.

“But we don’t know that until we do a complete physical evaluation, CT scan and understand their health histo-

SEE IMPLANTS PAGE 6

New procedure for BPH offered at Abrazo Arrowhead

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus offers aquablation, a new therapy using waterjet ablation for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate, is a noncancerous condition where the prostate has grown to be larger than normal. Nearly half of men between the ages 51 to 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases every decade of life.

In some men, if left untreated, benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence.

Surgical treatments for it may require men to consider trade-offs between symptom relief and side effects, according to Dr. Roscoe Nelson, a urologist on the medical staff at Abrazo Arrowhead campus.

Aquablation therapy is a different type of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, Nelson explained. It’s an advanced, minimally invasive treatment that uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide best-in-class and long-lasting symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications, regardless of prostate size or shape.

“We are proud to be among the first in the community to offer a solution for men with BPH that provides relief without compromise,” Abrazo Arrowhead Campus CEO Stephen Garner said. “It is exciting to bring this new minimally invasive surgical technique to our community to improve the quality of care we provide.”

Aquablation therapy is performed by the AquaBeam Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection or the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. It combines real-time, multidimensional imaging; automated robotic technology; and heat-free waterjet ablation technology for targeted, controlled and immediate removal of prostate tissue.

Aquablation therapy offers predictable and reproducible outcomes, independent of prostate anatomy and prostate size, Nelson said. In clinical studies, the therapy has shown to provide symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications.

(Above) Dr. Roscoe Nelson is a urologist on the medical staff at Abrazo Arrowhead campus. (Right) The Aquablation procedure uses a computer-aided surgical robot and water jet system to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. (Photos courtesy of Abrazo Arrowhead)

Chasse improves Thanksgiving for GESD families

BY LAUREN SERRATO Glendale Star Staff Writer

As the pandemic continues and families throughout the state continue to face financial hardships, a local construction company lightened the load for Glendale families this Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 22, Chasse Building Team donated 70 Thanksgiving turkeys and meal boxes complete with side dishes to help make the holiday special for Glendale Elementary School District families in most need this holiday season.

“We wanted to do a turkey drive because it’s been a rough couple of years for everybody, and during the holidays we just want to be able to spread a little cheer and make people’s life happy and a little easier in some ways,” said Taylor Perkins, client services with Chasse Building Team.

The boxed meals, in addition to the turkey, included green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.

With the first turkey giveaway under its belt, Chasse Building Team hopes to continue it, Perkins said.

“The goal was to be able to give back to the communities that we work in and that we live in and make their Thanksgiving a little brighter, and it turned out really good. It was awesome,” Perkins said.

The company is well known for working with area schools. Perkins said the Glendale Elementary School District has a special place in her heart.

“We’ve done some projects over the years with the school district, and just getting to know the faculty, everyone there is so amazing, and they give back to their school, give back to their families constantly,” Perkins said. “When you talk to them, you feel that love and you feel that dedication to the students and their families. They have a saying, ‘All in for all kids,’ and they live by that, and it’s just really, really cool.” Although this was the first turkey giveaway, Chasse Building Team strives to give back. It’s something that’s instilled in the staff around the start of the company. “We have a saying here, ‘Built different on purpose,’ and we abide by that, we live by that,” Perkins said. “We’re not just out there building school districts and buildings. We’re not just a construction company. We’re small, we’re local, and we want to give back because we’ve been so blessed as a company.”

(Left) Lead custodian Veronica Rodriguez prepares to distribute 70 turkeys donated to GESD families by Chasse Building Team. (Right) GESD Superintendent Cindy Segotta-Jones and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Auxiliary Services Mike Barragan load turkeys and meal boxes during a drive-thru distribution at the GESD District Office on Nov. 22. (Photos courtesy of Glendale Elementary School District)

First responder blood drive seeks donors

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Help Arizona firefighters and police officers ensure an ample patient blood supply by donating during the First Responders Unite Holiday Blood Drive.

Thanksgiving and through New Year’s Eve is the most difficult time of the year to maintain our blood supply. Blood donors of all types are urgently needed, especially Type O, the universal blood used in emergencies and traumas.

To make an appointment to donate blood, visit vitalant.org or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1-877-258-4825).

It was the blood already on the shelves that saved Police Officer Chase McCance who was injured in a nearly fatal crash with a wrong-way driver last New Year’s Day.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 1, McCance was struck by a wrong-way driver.

First responders rushed him to the hospital with multiple broken bones and internal bleeding. He required numerous blood transfusions while doctors operated to try to find the source of this internal bleeding.

He spent more than one month in the hospital recovering from his injuries before he finally went home to welcome his new baby boy in March and return to work on light duty in May.

“I’ve consistently donated blood throughout my life, but never thought I would be on the receiving end,” McCance said. “I’ll always be grateful to the people who donated blood and gave me the gift of getting to see my kids grow up.”

COVID-19 continues to impact Arizona supplies, as virtual workforces have caused the cancellation of nearly 33% of all blood drives statewide. At the same time, hospital blood usage has escalated as patients resume essential surgeries postponed during the height of the pandemic.

“Holiday blood donors are urgently needed, said Sid Lewis Sr., Vitalant Southwest Division’s donor recruitment director.

“Because blood has a shelf life of 42 days, donations given in November can help save lives through New Year’s Day.”

West Valley donor centers

The Glendale (18583 N. 59th Avenue) and Goodyear (14270 W. Indian School Road) centers are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Glendale

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9,

Bechtel Corp., 5323 N. 99th Avenue • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13,

Encompass Health Valley of the

Sun, 13460 N. 67th Avenue • 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 13,

Peoria Unified School District, 6330 W. Thunderbird Road • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17,

Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18,

The Bridge Church, 5341 W. Greenway Road • 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 5614 W. Orangewood • 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21,

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, 18701 N. 67th Avenue • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21,

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, 5555 W. Thunderbird Road

Peoria

• 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, Copper Hills Church, 27035 N.

Black Rock Boulevard • 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, Copper Hills Church, 27035 N.

Black Rock Boulevard • 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, LDS

Peoria North Stake, 22034 N. 83rd

Avenue

West-MEC donates holiday meals for 92 families

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Students and staff at West-MEC collected 92 food baskets for homeless youth and their families for Thanksgiving.

The Avondale nonprofit, Homeless Youth Connection, held a Thanksgiving turkey basket drive to provide meals for homeless youth and their families.

Students from West-MEC’s Northwest and Southwest campuses collected food throughout November and donated 92 baskets. Each basket included a frozen turkey, cans of green beans, pie and other Thanksgiving staples.

West-MEC is a career and technical education school district in the West Valley.

According to Homeless Youth Connection, each basket feeds a family of six to eight people. Homeless youth enrolled in the nonprofit’s program through their school received the baskets in time for the holiday.

“We rely on our entire community to help youth that are experiencing homelessness, and we have a lot of businesses and organizations that will help,” said Dana Bailey, Homeless Youth Connection’s chief operating officer. “But the piece that warms my heart the most is when youth in the community recognize that their peers are having a difficult time and they chip in, and they want to make a difference.” Homeless Youth Connection provides support to youth facing homelessness so that they can thrive and complete high school. “There is nothing more powerful than young people recognizing that there is a need in the community and doing something to make a difference,” Bailey said. Dana Bailey, Homeless Youth Connection chief operating officer, left, and West-MEC counselor Kris Guy helped with basket distribution. (Photo courtesy of West-MEC)

IMPLANTS FROM PAGE 4 ry,” Chaffin explained.

As reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association, more than 1 in 3 adults 65 years or older have lost six or more teeth. And about 1 in 10 in this age group have lost all their teeth. In fact, tooth loss affects more than 35 million American adults. Advances in dental technology, like dental implants, have produced life-altering solution to the problem of tooth loss.

“We pride ourselves on giving our clients all the information upfront so they can make an educated, informed decision,” Chaffin said. “We know that having multiple broken or missing teeth is more than enough to ruin a smile. Not only may someone feel self-conscious or constantly worry about what others think about their appearance, but it also may lead to feelings of depression, as well as grief from the loss of their teeth. We want people to feel hopeful, confident and ready to show the world their new smile.”

Appointments are still available. To schedule a complimentary screening, contact the CR Smiles Simply Implants Institute faculty office in Glendale at 623-362-8200.

For more information, visit simplyimplantsinstitutepatients.com.