By Donna Birch
October 13, 1999

On October 30, when Marla Arata dons her baroque costume, she will be doing more than dressing up for a masquerade ball.

She'll be helping Stanislaus County buy needed equipment for its children's dental clinic.

In fact, all money raised during the fourth annual String of Pearls Charity Gala will go toward children's services offered by the county's Health Services Agency.

"This is the first time we have given a costume ball," says Arata, chairwoman of this year's event. "I hope it inspires people to do something good for the children in our community."

Every year, the agency's foundation hosts two major fund-raisers for the county's outpatient clinics: a golf tournament in the spring and the String of Pearls gala in the fall, this year at Modesto Centre Plaza.

Board members, with the help of the agency's managing director, Bev Finley, and clinic managers, examine the needs of each clinic and then prioritize the list.

This year, the focus is on children's services. Money raised will go toward dental care and education, hearing services and hepatitis B immunizations.

Dental care topped the list. Three pieces of equipment the agency hopes to buy are a nitrous oxide tank, a device used for root canals and a video headset.

The children's dental clinic at the county's Medical Arts Building in downtown Modesto has only one nitrous oxide tank, which is shared by two dentists. Nitrous oxide is used to relieve pain for children with serious and painful dental problems.

Because the clinic has only one tank, delays have occurred getting some children scheduled for dental work.

The equipment for root canals, called an apex locator, measures tooth size and depth without having to expose the patient to X-rays. The video headset helps relax and occupy a child by allowing them to watch videotapes while a dentist works on his or her teeth.

The agency's children's audiology services hopes to purchase hearing aid and infant audiology machines. The hearing aid machine tests the devices for accuracy and effectiveness. The infant audiology machine tests newborns' hearing. Each machine costs about $8,000.

A fund for hepatitis B immunizations would allow county clinics to offer free shots to families who are not covered by medical insurance or who cannot afford to pay the fee. Hepatitis B shots are required for children entering kindergarten and seventh grade.

Organizers of this year's gala, which has been dubbed the Mystical Magical Ball, hope to raise $25,300.

Individuals or companies wanting to donate items valued at $75 or more are asked to contact Health Services Agency spokesman David Jones.

The ball is Oct. 30 at Modesto Centre Plaza. Tickets are $60. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; dinner 8 p.m.; dancing 9 p.m. Other entertainment and games are scheduled, including a silent auction. For tickets, call (209) 558-5636.

Used by permission of The Modesto Bee.