Staff & Reader Submitted

Denver Dental Team Completes 2,000+ Procedures During Week-long Medical Mission Trip to Kenya

Krista Simmons — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 Z

Michael A. Hale, DDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with Colorado Oral Surgery, has recently returned stateside after a week-long medical mission trip to Kenya. This was Dr. Hales second annual medical mission trip to Kenya. Dr. Hale has previously completed medical mission trips to Haiti and Samoa and says he intends to continue serving in Kenya for the next several years because of the "great need" there. To help support ongoing outreach efforts, Dr. Hale and his colleagues have established a nonprofit foundation called Global Humanitarian Healthcare.

Together with local philanthropists Vince Line, Cary LaCouture (dentist), Tim Pingree (ENT surgeon), and dedicated supporting team members with significant support from local philanthropist Doug Perry we have established the Global Humanitarian Healthcare foundation to support ongoing medical mission work, said Dr. Hale. We travel with portable equipment that allows us to set up makeshift dental and surgical clinics in schools, churches and community centers in areas where the medical shortage is critical. What were doing is just a small drop in an infinitely large bucket, and we look forward to continuing to build on the relationships, infrastructure and treatment approaches weve established.

During this medical mission trip, the dental care team treated 1,000+ patients from the Iten and Eldoret communities in Kenyas Rift Valley. Both communities have extremely limited dental care options and substantial dental needs.

Over the course of just seven days, the dental care team and its Kenyan volunteers performed more than 1,000 extractions of severely decayed or non-restorable teeth, restored hundreds of teeth, placed bonded bridges for patients with missing front teeth, and removed various lesions under local anesthesia. The care team worked non-stop from 7 am to 7 pm, each day, treating patients of all ages. In addition, they implemented a basic hygiene program that was made possible through Henry Shein, enabling the team to provide more than 1,000 cleanings and preventive treatments, along with essential oral health education.

Thanks to the very generous support of Henry Shein, we established dedicated stations where both children and adults were taught proper brushing and flossing techniques, followed by fluoride varnish treatments. Being able to teach the people of Kenya these techniques will have a lasting and far-reaching impact, and were extremely grateful for that opportunity.

Dr. Hales wife and two of their children (who are teenagers) assisted the dental care team, helping to run the clinic by taking radiographs, helping with sterilization and sanitation, organizing medications, and supporting the hygiene program. They also helped distribute essential items -- such as childrens clothing, toys, school supplies and blankets to local hospitals and schools.

In addition to dental care, the medical mission trip also included ENT and podiatry services.

This years mission was an important step forward, as we continue to refine how we can make the greatest impact with the resources available to us, added Dr. Hale. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing that our efforts are making a meaningful difference.

In addition to his medical mission work outside of the United States, Dr. Hale also provides pro bono oral cancer screenings at Colorado Oral Surgery in Denver and Parker, in conjunction with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month in April.

Dr. Hale is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, which is the highest credential that can be obtained in the specialty, according to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Hale earned his bachelors degree from The University of Utah and completed his dental training at The Ohio State University, graduating with honors and earning the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Student Award. Afterward, he completed his oral and maxillofacial specialty training through the University of Minnesota.

Free Oral Cancer Screenings in Denver, Parker and Arvada This Week

Krista Simmons — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 Z

In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, two local oral and maxillofacial surgery practices will offer free oral cancer screenings. They are Colorado Oral Surgery in Denver and Parker, and Colorado Regional Oral Surgery in Arvada. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. To participate, arrive at one of the clinics during the designated days and times, and ask for a free cancer screening. The free screenings will be available:

4/14 from 3 to 4 pm Colorado Regional Oral Surgery 8025 Club Crest Drive, Arvada, Colo., 80005
4/15 from 3 to 4 pm Colorado Regional Oral Surgery 8025 Club Crest Drive, Arvada, Colo., 80005
4/17 from 1 to 2 pm Colorado Oral Surgery 17167 Cedar Gulch Parkway, Suite 100, Parker, Colo., 80134
4/17 from 1 to 2 pm Colorado Oral Surgery 2373 Central Park Blvd., Suite 301, Denver, Colo., 80238
4/17 from 1 to 2 pm Colorado Oral Surgery 400 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 450, Denver, Colo., 80246

April is widely recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics and screenings. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer with 13,150 deaths attributed to it in 2026.

The good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, said Michael A. Hale, DDS, of Colorado Oral Surgery. Thats why screenings like this are important. For most patients, we recommend annual oral cancer screenings by a qualified healthcare professional, as well as monthly self-exams.

For self-examinations, the doctors recommend using a bright light and mirror to look for anything out of the ordinary such as whitish or reddish patches, sores that wont heal and unexplained lumps, swelling or bleeding.

The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 64 and that one in five cases occur in people younger than 55. Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, nutrition, mouth/face injuries, oral hygiene and certain medical conditions/diseases.

If your mouth feels, looks or functions differently, get it checked out by a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible, added Sara Weinstein, DDS, MS, of Colorado Regional Oral Surgery. Dont wait until youre in pain to address it. You may not experience pain during the initial stages of oral cancer, and early detection can make a big difference in terms of options and outcomes.

Balfour Communities Host Dementia Training for Louisville Fire and EMS

Carly Herbert — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:15:16 Z

Louisville, CO (August 22, 2025)- Balfour Cherrywood Village Memory Care, a Kisco Collection, recently hosted a dementia training series for the Louisville Fire and EMS Department. In partnership with Balfour Louisville and Balfour Longmont, the training was designed to help first responders more effectively engage with individuals living with dementia during a crisis.

Seeing the staffs deep caring compassion for their residents made it easy to engage with the training, said Elizabeth Chase, Louisville firefighter-paramedic. They gave us simple yet incredibly helpful tips on how to interact with dementia patients and bring them the best possible care.

The training included a presentation that guided first responders on how to appropriately approach, communicate with, and assist individuals with dementia. It was highly conversational, hands-on and practical, covering a variety of real-life scenarios and proven methods. First responders also experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT), an immersive, scientifically developed method that simulates the sensory and cognitive changes associated with dementia.

Thank you to our community partners at Balfour for teaching our Louisville firefighters strategies to improve their interactions with people with dementia, said Shawn Stark, chief of EMS. Our crews came away from the training with a better understanding and empathy for this unique patient population. The training was engaging and interactive, but we were equally impressed by the obvious devotion and advocacy shown by the Balfour staff toward the people who live in their senior communities.

The partnership between Balfour communities and the Louisville Fire and EMS department is a unique and valuable offering that sets these communities apart. Balfour Communities are

committed to strengthening this partnership and plan to host additional dementia training sessions in the future.

It was an absolute honor to train our first responders and invest in a relationship that supports so many vulnerable adults in our communities, said Brenda Gurung, national director of memory care services at Kisco Senior Living. We shared insights, laughter, and meaningful conversations around how to better support individuals who are on a dementia journey. Working with Chief Shawn Stark and his incredible team was a true joy, and the experience continues to leave a lasting appreciation.

Kiscos trademarked Heirloom Memory Care program is based in human-centered research, empathy and connection. In addition to the first responders, all associates at Balfour Communities are required to complete this Virtual Dementia Tour training to deepen their understanding of residents. The program plays a vital role in enhancing care, engagement and services by fostering empathy and equipping staff with tools to better support residents and families.

For members of the media interested in covering this story or learning more, email Carly Herbert at cherbert@piercom.com.

ABOUT BALFOUR CHERRYWOOD

Balfour Cherrywood is a memory care community in Louisville, CO offering person-centered support in an environment intentionally built to promote independence, dignity and connection. Grounded in Kiscos signature Heirloom approach and Montessori-Based Dementia Programming®, the Cherrywood team meets each resident where they are - honoring their story, celebrating their abilities, and responding with compassion and expertise. With chef-prepared meals, daily rituals that promote dignity and enriching engagement seven days a week, Balfour Cherrywood delivers a truly holistic approach to memory care.

Colorados Small Business Boom: Trends and Talent Strategies for the Future

will_c — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:00 Z

Colorados small business scene thrives in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. This blog post examines specific trends, talent retention strategies, and wage expectations for 2025, offering you practical insights to grow your solo venture or small team.

Surge in Solo Entrepreneurship

Solo entrepreneurship flourishes in Colorados urban centers due to accessible resources. In Denver, you can launch a mobile spa with coworking spaces like Thrive Workplace, while Colorado Springs Pikes Peak SBDC offers free consulting and Fort Collins Innosphere Ventures supports tech ventures.

Low startup costs and vibrant communities fuel this trend. Denvers 1.2% annual population growth drives demand for niche services, per the U.S. Census Bureau, with 60% of Colorado Springs 2024 businesses being sole proprietorships, per the Colorado Secretary of State.

Technology Adoption for Efficiency

Small businesses in Colorado boost productivity with technology. In Denver, you can use QuickBooks for accounting, while Colorado Springs retailers adopt Square, processing $1.2 billion locally in 2024, per Squares report, and Fort Collins entrepreneurs use Zapier for automation.

Cost-effective tools help you compete. Denvers 70% cloud software adoption rate, per the Denver Metro Chamber, mirrors 65% in Colorado Springs and 68% in Fort Collins, with local SBDCs offering tech training to keep you ahead.

Focus on Local Supply Chains

Global disruptions push Colorados small businesses toward local sourcing. Denvers cafes partner with Fresh Farm Markets, cutting costs by 15%, per a 2024 Colorado Department of Agriculture study, while Colorado Springs breweries source hops from Palisade.

Local supply chains ensure stability. Denvers businesses reduced delays by 20% in 2024 by sourcing locally, per the Colorado Business Economic Outlook, and Fort Collins food trucks benefit from local dairy partnerships, enhancing quality.

Retaining Talent in Competitive Markets

Keeping skilled employees challenges Colorados small businesses. In Denver, hybrid work schedules attract 80% of workers, per a 2024 Colorado Workforce Survey, while Colorado Springs firms offer health benefits costing $300-$500 monthly, per Kaiser Family Foundation.

You can build loyalty with culture. Fort Collins cafes use profit-sharing, increasing tenure by 18 months, per a CSU study, while Denvers SBDC and Colorado Springs community college training programs help you retain talent.

City	Retention Strategy	Cost	Impact
Denver	Hybrid schedules	$0	80% preference
Colorado Springs	Health benefits	$300-$500/month	Matches larger firms
Fort Collins	Profit-sharing	5-10% of profits	18-month tenure increase

Expected Wages in 2025

Competitive wages attract talent in Colorados urban hubs. In Denver, sales roles pay $45,000-$55,000 and tech positions $65,000-$80,000, per 2025 Glassdoor data, with Colorado Springs slightly lower at $40,000-$50,000 and $60,000-$75,000.

Budget strategically to meet expectations. Denvers $1,800/month median rent, per Zillow, pressures wages, while Fort Collins 2.8% wage increase projection for 2025, per the Colorado Economic Forecast, helps you plan.

Challenges: Rising Costs and Funding

Inflation squeezes Colorados small businesses. Denvers operating costs rose 4.2% in 2024, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while Colorado Springs commercial rent increased 3.8% and Fort Collins supply costs climbed 4%.

Capital access remains tough. Only 30% of Denvers loan applications succeed, per the SBA, but Colorado Springs CLIMBER loans offer up to $250,000 at 4% interest, and Fort Collins crowdfunding raised $1.2 million in 2024, per Kickstarter.

Opportunities for Growth

Acquiring businesses offers growth potential. In Denver, 15% of small businesses were for sale in 2024, per BizBuySell, with Colorado Springs and Fort Collins at 12% and 10%, ideal for solo entrepreneurs.

Women-led ventures surge, with 40% of Denvers 2024 businesses women-owned, per the SBA. Colorado Springs $50,000 startup grants and Fort Collins innovation hubs support your expansion in 2025.

Conclusion

Colorados 2025 small business landscape offers you exciting prospects in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. Stay strategic, use local resources, and build a thriving venture. Visit the Colorado Office of Economic Development for funding and training. Share your small business story in the comments to inspire others.

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