Dr. Wendi L. Wilson, is one of the driving forces of a team whose community service efforts teach children about the importance of dental hygiene. Dr. Wilson, in conjunction with her husband and dental partner, Dr. Thomas Arnold, created Dr. Happy Tooth. For several years, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Arnold and Dr. Happy Tooth have visited many Bay Area schools and Head Start programs, teaching children about good dental habits and nutrition. "This community outreach gives me a chance to interact with youth in a non-threatening environment," Dr. Wilson said. "The kids are able to see the dentist as fun, playful and their friend instead of as someone to fear."

Dr. Wendi L. Wilson D.D.S.

Dr. Wilson's greatest influence was her own childhood dentist, who was close to her family. She also gained valuable experience by working as a dental assistant in high school, where her family dentist encouraged her to pursue a career in dentistry. Her family echoed this support, never discouraging her from seeking her dream. Dr. Wilson followed her parents' footsteps and attended Howard University in Washington, D.C.. She graduated with a B.S. in 1973 and received her D.D.S., also from Howard, in 1977.
In 1983, Dr. Wilson began her practice in Berkeley as a general dentist. She is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, and the Berkeley Dental Society.

Dr. Wilson is enthusiastic about the exciting and new technological advances in dentistry, especially in the area of pain control, which are of paramount importance to her. "Twenty years ago, patients expected pain at the dentist's office," she said. "Today, that's no longer true. Patients have more control during the procedure. They can choose the amount and types of pain killer used to keep pain to a minimum. Also, wide spread use of fluoride has greatly decreased the probability of cavities in children."

On the fun side, Dr. Wilson is a tri-athlete and enjoys training for triathlon events.