Beyond the Practice
When disaster strikes, true community prevails. For Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a seasoned periodontist, educator, and advocate, the recent Southern California wildfires were more than just a news headline—they were a call to action.
Dr. Otomo-Corgel’s journey in periodontology is one of perseverance and dedication. When she first entered the field, she was one of only 37 female periodontists in the world and the first Asian female periodontist. Initially considering pediatric dentistry, she shifted her focus after discovering the link between oral health and overall wellness. Over the past 42 years, she has built an impressive career, balancing private practice, academia, and leadership roles within organized dentistry.
Now practicing in Manhattan Beach, she remains passionate about both clinical work and teaching. “I think I’m better for my students if I practice, and I’m better for my patients if I teach,” she explains.
On February 7, as Dr. Otomo-Corgel was working in Manhattan Beach, she glanced out the window and saw thick, dark smoke billowing across the skyline. Living in California, wildfires are an unfortunate reality.However, this one was different.
Her son, a Manhattan Beach firefighter and paramedic, was sent to fight the fires. A former Los Angeles City firefighter with experience battling structure fires, he initially assumed this would be another routine wildfire. But as he and his team approached the Santa Monica mountains, they realized this was a firestorm fueled by 100 mph winds, tearing through homes and communities and leaving devastation behind.
“It was like working in a blowtorch,” he later described to Dr. Otomo-Corgel and the rest of his family. For 14 grueling days, firefighters battled the fire, working on little sleep and running dangerously low on water. The fire leaped across ridges, carrying embers over the mountains and setting beachfront properties on fire.
Community in Crisis
The damage was staggering. Over 57,000 acres burned. More than 16,000 structures damaged or destroyed. 29 lives lost. Nearly 180,000 people forced to evacuate.
Though not directly in the firestorm, Dr. Otomo-Corgel and her family knew they had to help. They opened their home to evacuees—complete strangers who quickly became friends. Their local Catholic school took on 61 displaced students, recognizing that stability and routine were just as crucial as shelter. Local public schools also welcomed hundreds of displaced students, ensuring that despite the chaos, children could continue their education. “It’s not just about having a place; it’s about mental health and wellness,” Dr. Otomo-Corgel emphasized.
Organized dentistry played a pivotal role as well. The California Dental Association (CDA), American Dental Association (ADA), and American Academy of Periodontology Foundation (AAPF) all continue to make an effort to help those affected by the fires. Multiple states – including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, Montana, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Florida – donated to the California Relief Fund. Dr. Otomo-Corgel shared, “Update to:
Once the CDA Foundation had the relief fund set up, ADA and local dental societies helped get the word out to members encouraging donations to the fund. The CDA companies (including TDIC and Insurance Solutions) ourselves pledged up to 350 thousand dollars to the relief fund, and that’s our job: support members and even nonmembers.” The AAPF Disaster Grants have also been set up to aid AAP members who are victims of disasters. The AAPF provides disaster grants to AAP members who have been affected by disasters to assist with immediate needs, and to universities and other organizations associated with periodontics.
According to Dr. Otomo-Corgel, very critical resources came from The Dentist Insurance Company (TDIC). The organization, owned and operated by dentists, immediately assessed which of its policyholders were in the fire’s path and proactively reached out—even before some knew the extent of their losses. TDIC reported 36 claims from the Palisades and Eaton fires, many of which were total losses. In addition to covering structural damage, TDIC also provided income loss coverage for dentists, and their ongoing expenses, ensuring that dental teams, not just practice owners, had financial support. This includes coverage for staff by considering ongoing wages in the insured’s loss of income calculation, should the insured reasonably continue to pay wages.
While no practicing periodontists were known to have lost their homes, many retired colleagues, faculty members, and dental professionals saw their lives upended. Dr. Otomo-Corgel emphasized the importance of these support networks, saying, “This is why we stay in organized dentistry. It’s a family, a community—you don’t always realize it until you need it.”
Lessons From the Flames
In reflecting on the crisis, Dr. Otomo-Corgel mentioned a valuable lesson: preparedness. Drawing from her Girl Scout training, she informed the rule of thumb for emergency evacuations are the “Five P’s”—people, pets, prescriptions, photos, and personal phone/computer.
Beyond logistics and physical preparedness, she highlighted the need for mental resilience and community support. “Being able to talk to someone is critical,” she noted, and informed that the CDA offers extensive wellness resources, available to both members and nonmembers to provide mental health support for those affected by disasters. She encouraged colleagues to stay involved, lend support, and recognize that disasters affect more than just physical structures; they impact livelihoods, mental health, and overall wellbeing.
Lasting Impacts
As the recovery efforts continue, Dr. Otomo-Corgel remains committed to supporting her community. She has donated clothing, helped a family get back on their feet, and encouraged colleagues to do whatever they can, whether that’s offering financial aid, supplies, or simply emotional support.
Her experience during the wildfires reinforced the value of being part of a professional network like in the AAP, CDA, and ADA. This involvement has not only shaped her career but also strengthened the bonds she shared with peers. “Looking back, I would have missed out on so much if I wasn’t a member,” she reflected. “My best friends for life are people I met through the AAP.”
Whether through clinical practice, teaching, or crisis response, she continues to embody the spirit of service. “As long as you still have something to share, then you do that—because we’ve gained so much, and it’s good that we’re a community.”
When disaster strikes, true community prevails. For Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a seasoned periodontist, educator, and advocate, the recent Southern California wildfires were more than just a news headline—they were a call to action.
Dr. Otomo-Corgel’s journey in periodontology is one of perseverance and dedication. When she first entered the field, she was one of only 37 female periodontists in the world and the first Asian female periodontist. Initially considering pediatric dentistry, she shifted her focus after discovering the link between oral health and overall wellness. Over the past 42 years, she has built an impressive career, balancing private practice, academia, and leadership roles within organized dentistry.
Now practicing in Manhattan Beach, she remains passionate about both clinical work and teaching. “I think I’m better for my students if I practice, and I’m better for my patients if I teach,” she explains.
On February 7, as Dr. Otomo-Corgel was working in Manhattan Beach, she glanced out the window and saw thick, dark smoke billowing across the skyline. Living in California, wildfires are an unfortunate reality.However, this one was different.
Her son, a Manhattan Beach firefighter and paramedic, was sent to fight the fires. A former Los Angeles City firefighter with experience battling structure fires, he initially assumed this would be another routine wildfire. But as he and his team approached the Santa Monica mountains, they realized this was a firestorm fueled by 100 mph winds, tearing through homes and communities and leaving devastation behind.
“It was like working in a blowtorch,” he later described to Dr. Otomo-Corgel and the rest of his family. For 14 grueling days, firefighters battled the fire, working on little sleep and running dangerously low on water. The fire leaped across ridges, carrying embers over the mountains and setting beachfront properties on fire.
Community in Crisis
The damage was staggering. Over 57,000 acres burned. More than 16,000 structures damaged or destroyed. 29 lives lost. Nearly 180,000 people forced to evacuate.
Though not directly in the firestorm, Dr. Otomo-Corgel and her family knew they had to help. They opened their home to evacuees—complete strangers who quickly became friends. Their local Catholic school took on 61 displaced students, recognizing that stability and routine were just as crucial as shelter. Local public schools also welcomed hundreds of displaced students, ensuring that despite the chaos, children could continue their education. “It’s not just about having a place; it’s about mental health and wellness,” Dr. Otomo-Corgel emphasized.
Organized dentistry played a pivotal role as well. The California Dental Association (CDA), American Dental Association (ADA), and American Academy of Periodontology Foundation (AAPF) all continue to make an effort to help those affected by the fires. Multiple states – including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, Montana, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Florida – donated to the California Relief Fund. Dr. Otomo-Corgel shared, “Update to:
Once the CDA Foundation had the relief fund set up, ADA and local dental societies helped get the word out to members encouraging donations to the fund. The CDA companies (including TDIC and Insurance Solutions) ourselves pledged up to 350 thousand dollars to the relief fund, and that’s our job: support members and even nonmembers.” The AAPF Disaster Grants have also been set up to aid AAP members who are victims of disasters. The AAPF provides disaster grants to AAP members who have been affected by disasters to assist with immediate needs, and to universities and other organizations associated with periodontics.
According to Dr. Otomo-Corgel, very critical resources came from The Dentist Insurance Company (TDIC). The organization, owned and operated by dentists, immediately assessed which of its policyholders were in the fire’s path and proactively reached out—even before some knew the extent of their losses. TDIC reported 36 claims from the Palisades and Eaton fires, many of which were total losses. In addition to covering structural damage, TDIC also provided income loss coverage for dentists, and their ongoing expenses, ensuring that dental teams, not just practice owners, had financial support. This includes coverage for staff by considering ongoing wages in the insured’s loss of income calculation, should the insured reasonably continue to pay wages.
While no practicing periodontists were known to have lost their homes, many retired colleagues, faculty members, and dental professionals saw their lives upended. Dr. Otomo-Corgel emphasized the importance of these support networks, saying, “This is why we stay in organized dentistry. It’s a family, a community—you don’t always realize it until you need it.”
Lessons From the Flames
In reflecting on the crisis, Dr. Otomo-Corgel mentioned a valuable lesson: preparedness. Drawing from her Girl Scout training, she informed the rule of thumb for emergency evacuations are the “Five P’s”—people, pets, prescriptions, photos, and personal phone/computer.
Beyond logistics and physical preparedness, she highlighted the need for mental resilience and community support. “Being able to talk to someone is critical,” she noted, and informed that the CDA offers extensive wellness resources, available to both members and nonmembers to provide mental health support for those affected by disasters. She encouraged colleagues to stay involved, lend support, and recognize that disasters affect more than just physical structures; they impact livelihoods, mental health, and overall wellbeing.
Lasting Impacts
As the recovery efforts continue, Dr. Otomo-Corgel remains committed to supporting her community. She has donated clothing, helped a family get back on their feet, and encouraged colleagues to do whatever they can, whether that’s offering financial aid, supplies, or simply emotional support.
Her experience during the wildfires reinforced the value of being part of a professional network like in the AAP, CDA, and ADA. This involvement has not only shaped her career but also strengthened the bonds she shared with peers. “Looking back, I would have missed out on so much if I wasn’t a member,” she reflected. “My best friends for life are people I met through the AAP.”
Whether through clinical practice, teaching, or crisis response, she continues to embody the spirit of service. “As long as you still have something to share, then you do that—because we’ve gained so much, and it’s good that we’re a community.”