In My Little Town — A Big Reason to Smile

Growing up in Michigan, there was nothing worse than visiting the dentist. I’d rather walk in sandals in the snow than go through another session with those grape-flavored fluoride trays. And there was no such thing as anesthetic for cavities. You just tried not to cry too much. So needless to say, when I ‘grew up’ and came out here, looking for a dentist was not on my to do list. For years.

And then one night, watching the Sharks and the Wings at the Cow Palace, I got a mouth ache the likes of which I’d never had before. Some guy got thrown into the glass right in front of us and I thought, “I know just how you feel.” That was not a fun night.

The following morning, I somehow made it in to work. A co-worker took one look at me and called her dentist, who, miracle of miracles, got me an appointment the same day. I remember walking in to , and the woman at the desk looked up, said, “Oh, you poor woman,” and walked me back to a room.

Soon after that, a kind looking man with very gentle fingers made the pain go away. Yes, it’s been 20 years, but really, when someone is that nice to you, you remember it forever. That was my introduction to the Cupertino Dental Group and Dr. Gary Pagonis.

Dr. Gary has been a lifesaver for my entire family, and I’m sure for many other families in Cupertino. He, his brother Dr. Milton, and their childhood buddy, Dr. Ken Frangadakis, grew up here, behind what is now the Home Depot on De Anza.

Dr. Milton and Dr. Ken went to Fremont High School. Dr. Gary went to Lynbrook. The Pagonis’s dad owned the Bold Knight in Sunnyvale, where Dr. Gary was a bus boy and bartender.

Dr. Ken opened a dental practice in 1966 in the old Town Center. Dr. Milton graduated from dental school in 1972, joined Dr. Ken, and they built the current building (at 10383 Torre Avenue) in 1976. Dr. Gary joined them. The crew now includes eight general dentists (including Dr. Gary’s son, Dr. Alex), and five specialists (including Dr. Gary’s daughter-in-law Nicole).

Dr. Milton’s daughter is also part of the second generation. The pediatric dentists and orthodontists are right across the parking lot. This is full service family dentistry. These kind and funny folks have been helping Cupertino residents stay healthy for more than thirty five years. How lucky are we?

I’ve seen school kids visit the pediatric offices, and know Dr. Alex and Dr. Angie visit classrooms to talk about dental care. The whole family is very involved in the local Greek Orthodox community, and Dr. Milton provides dental care to Greek Orthodox nuns.

Dr. Ken has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the only award other than the Congressional Medal of Honor to be recognized by both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. These are good people.

Thank you, Dr. Gary, Dr. Alex, Cheri, Michelle, Jeanne, and the wonderful people throughout Cupertino Dental, for giving my kids a totally different experience growing up than I had. They won’t equate a visit to the dentist with fear and pain. My kids have been educated and cared for by you all, and that’s what they’ll remember about dentistry in their little town.

Cupertino Dental Group

10383 Torre Ave., Suite I

Cupertino, CA 95014

408-257-3031

http://www.cupertinodentalgroup.com/