Community treasure turns 50

The Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center
The Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center
April 15, 2020

The Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center recognized for five decades of providing quality oral health care services in Los Angeles and beyond

THE WILSON-JENNINGS-BLOOMFIELD UCLA Venice Dental Center commemorated its 50th Anniversary last summer. In celebration of the milestone, nearly 300 members of the community came together to recognize what the clinic has done for Los Angeles and beyond.

The UCLA Venice Dental Center welcomed several important leaders, including UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, who recognized the clinic for embodying UCLA’s commitment to serving the public good. He was followed in the event program by Congressman Ted Lieu of the 33rd District and Dean Paul Krebsbach. They presented three commemorative awards to the event honorees. The first honoree was Dr. James Freed, a clinical professor emeritus and the founding clinic director, who was recognized for his part in establishing and growing the original 4-chair clinic. 

The second honorees, UCLA Dentistry Board of Counselors Member Mr. Bob Wilson and his family, were recognized for spearheading a campaign in 1986, to purchase the property, which they then donated back to the dental school. The Wilson family continued their commitment to the Center with Bob’s son, Tom Wilson, who oversaw the construction of the pediatric wing in 2007 and who also helped make possible the Center’s partnership with Upward Bound House. Through the Wilson family support and the support of the Schutz Engel Trust (in memory of Andy Stallman), the UCLA Venice Dental Center is able to provide free dental service to homeless families who are clients of Upward Bound House. The third honoree was Delta Dental of California, one of the largest dental insurance providers in the country. Former faculty member and Delta Dental's vice president of professional services, Dr. John Yamamoto and Ms. Kenzie Ferguson, Delta Dental’s vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility, jointly accepted the recognition for the insurance provider's shared commitment to increasing access to care, supporting dental education, and funding research that advances the oral health field. 

Concluding the program was Councilmember Mike Bonin of the 11th district, who presented a proclamation from the city and commended the clinic for the quality oral care it has provided to thousands of adults and children. The event was chaired by Ronald Mito, DDS ’76, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. And without the hard work of UCLA Venice Dental Center staff and the Center’s director, Dr. Lillian Cheng, the event would not have been such a resounding success.

The UCLA Venice Dental Center is grateful to its many supporters over the past five decades. They have helped elevate and improve the clinic’s operations and facilities, and its capacity to treat more patients.

Working Together to Improve Our Patients’ Experience

Most recently, the Clinic was able to renovate its sterilization room, thanks to a generous gift from the Midmark Corporation that included a Synthesis Steri-Center, which helps process workflow for faculty, staff, and students treating patients. The installation services were generously donated by Patterson Dental.

A recent gift from Ray America, Inc. was a RayScan Alpha Plus 160 CBCT, which gives the Center the ability to perform digital panoramic X-rays and CT scans in 3D. These enhancements allow for contemporary imaging procedures to be performed on-site. The convenience of this access facilitates and elevates patient care.

In addition to the upgrades, the Center was also the fortunate recipient of several large scale acrylic paintings; all four pieces were donated by by Most recently, the Clinic was able to renovate its sterilization room, thanks to a generous gift from 

the Midmark Corporation that included a Synthesis Steri-Center, which helps process workflow for faculty, staff, and students treating patients. The installation services were generously donated by Patterson Dental.

A recent gift from Ray America, Inc. was a RayScan Alpha Plus 160 CBCT, which gives the Center the ability to perform digital panoramic X-rays and CT scans in 3D. These enhancements allow for contemporary imaging procedures to be performed on-site. The convenience of this access facilitates and elevates patient care.

In addition to the upgrades, the Center was also the fortunate recipient of several large scale acrylic paintings; all four pieces were donated by Sanders Art Enterprises. The artist, Dr. Bruce Sanders, is an adjunct professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, who has been a UCLA faculty member since 1974.

And to help our younger patients feel more at ease during their appointments and promote literacy, the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic within the UCLA Venice Dental Center, has received donations of over 7,000 children’s books through The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation’s program, “A Book Just for Me!” 

It is because of the five decades of contributions from the dental school’s donors, faculty, alumni, staff, trainees, and friends that the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center can continue to fulfill its mission to improve the oral and general health of the community and beyond. The Center now has the tools it needs to successfully treat the next generation of patients for another 50 years.Sanders Art Enterprises. The artist, Dr. Bruce Sanders, is an adjunct professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, who has been a UCLA faculty member since 1974.

And to help our younger patients feel more at ease during their appointments and promote literacy, the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic within the UCLA Venice Dental Center, has received donations of over 7,000 children’s books through The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation’s program, “A Book Just for Me!” 

It is because of the five decades of contributions from the dental school’s donors, faculty, alumni, staff, trainees, and friends that the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center can continue to fulfill its mission to improve the oral and general health of the community and beyond. The Center now has the tools it needs to successfully treat the next generation of patients for another 50 years.