By Becky O’Guin, Director of Communications
From the Winter 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
For Dr. Lisa Phillips, a board-certified pediatric dentist, volunteering is a way of life. She credits her
dad for instilling that in her heart. He moved to the U.S. in 1969 from India and has always been grateful for the opportunity. She grew up watching him create ways to give back. She started volunteering when she was in dental school serving as president of her student association, creating a newsletter and planning mission trips. She helped organize a mission trip in dental school to Jamaica and loved the experience.
In her recent years she served as an elder in her church for five years, went to Haiti on a mission trip to provide dental care and help build a school, and currently serves as a board member for Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND). “As soon as I heard there was a nonprofit that helps kids with access to care, I had to get connected,” she said. She started getting involved in KIND by going to events with a close friend of
hers. Through the events, she met Ellie Burbee, KIND’s executive director, and Dr. Les Maes, KIND’s director of dental clinics. She noticed how much Dr. Maes and Ellie do for KIND and was so impressed. Dr. Lisa served this past year as the chair-elect and will enter the role of KIND board chair starting in January 2024. “For Ellie, Dr. Maes, and the KIND team, this is genuinely a passion for them. They serve the kids in our community with dignity and compassion. Their heart and care for these kids is immeasurable,” Dr. Lisa said.
She was asked by KIND to help provide care to some of the children who needed general anesthesia. She partnered with Dr. Shaheen Moezzi from Altitude Anesthesia Group and CarePoint Anesthesia Group. When she decided to open her own practice, she was looking at spaces with the intention of providing care for KIND. “Partnering with KIND and being a local provider who can provide support when needed has been a dream come true,” she said. She owns Hope Pediatric Dentistry in Westminster. One patient sent to Dr. Lisa from KIND needed to have full-mouth dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. The patient was previously diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder. Dr. Lisa worked with her to desensitize and acclimate her to the office before scheduling her for general anesthesia. “We have a patient care room that has a couch, TV, and soft toys to help ease children before introducing the dental chair,” she said. “Using this helped her get acclimated to our office. Since our first visit with her three years ago, she now comes to the office smiling and she gives us big hugs. With no fear she jumps into the dental chair.” Dr. Lisa says that KIND provides parents with dignity and respect by providing affordable dental work to their children. “I believe people are genuinely grateful for KIND and local providers who give their time to serve families and provide access to care. The impact is giving kids quality dental experiences that are safe and not scary. We are connecting with these kids by showing them that there is good in the world and there are people who genuinely care about them and their families.”