SPECIAL OUTREACH SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Instructor in the Dental Assisting Program at the Community College of Philadelphia
Ms. Parker was Clinical Manager at Special Smiles, Ltd., where she worked directly with special needs patients for two years before joining the SOS team as Outreach Hygienist. In her new role, Ms. Parker educates caregivers on proper oral healthcare and works with each patient to help the person cooperate with oral hygiene practices specifically tailored to their needs.
Ms. Parker also works as an adjunct instructor in the Dental Assisting Program at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), from which she earned an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene with high honors and won the Johnson & Johnson award for highest clinical grades.
Prior to CCP, Ms. Parker earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Temple University and worked in finance for a few years. She decided to change careers because she wanted to help others in need.
Job Titles:
- Founder, Special Smiles Dental Foundation
- Member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Goldstein has devoted more than 20 years of his career to meeting the oral healthcare needs of the most vulnerable special needs patients: those who require general anesthesia to safely receive even routine dental care. He founded Special Smiles, Ltd. for this purpose in 2003. Special Smiles has treated 40,000+ patients and currently provides full mouth rehabilitation to 2,400 patients annually.
Dr. Goldstein founded the Special Smiles Dental Foundation, a 501( c )3 nonprofit to fund Special Outreach Services so that it can provide free preventive oral healthcare programs to facilities and families caring for people with special needs.
Dr. Goldstein is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. He is a graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry and completed his Pediatric Dental Residency at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
Ms. Ayyagari provides overall direction and management of SOS. She also participates directly in delivering SOS programs to facilities and families. She has worked in nursing and public health since 2015, most recently with the Pennsylvania Action Coalition. Her focus areas have been patient- and family-centered care and serving vulnerable populations.
A Registered Nurse, Ms. Ayyagari earned three degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing Health Leadership, and Master of Public Health. Earlier she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of North Carolina.
Ms. Ayyagari currently volunteers as a Board Member for Children First. She previously served on an Advisory Committee for the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment.