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History of Chatsworth Dental Group
Chatsworth Dental Group opened in 1967 after Barbara Pampalone and Donna Bigheart Hurowitz graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry, two of
a handful of women dental graduates.
The original Devonshire office building was built in the 1940s by Dr. Joseph Schurter, who used it for his dental office and home. Dr. Pampalone and her husband, Joseph, remodeled the building into a large office and dental laboratory.
At the time of the 1972 fire, which swept from the 405 freeway in the hills of Chatsworth down the ocean, the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce “rented” part of the building for $1 per year. At that time, the office became the center for donations for victims of the fire.
 For many years, the building was also home to the Pampalone’s BioCeramic Laboratory, which was run by Joseph Pampalone. It was one of the largest commercial dental porcelain laboratories in the San Fernando Valley in its early years. The ability to have rapid dental or partial repairs, as well as the customization of dental care, has been an important part of this dental office from the first day.
The BioCeramic Dental Lab was one of the first all porcelain-fused-to-gold laboratories in 1965. The research to build a space capsule (now the space shuttle) had just found porcelain fused to gold tiles would absorb the heat of re-entry from space into the earth’s atmosphere and not burn up. Dentistry had long struggled with cementing porcelain to gold, and esthetics was a problem. The new technology quickly changed dental procedures in the ‘60s.
Chatsworth Dental continues in their effort to provide state-of-the-art care with the latest technology and expert, individual care for patients of every age. They were one of the first offices in Los Angeles to begin implant technology in 1986, at its inception, now the gold standard of dental care.
As an integral part of the community, Chatsworth Dental Group has continued its support of various community groups and local activities such as the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce and the Chatsworth Business improvement District.
Community of Chatsworth
The
Pampalones found active community organizations in Chatsworth and
enjoyed being part of the neighborhood since they moved to the area in
1967. In 1972 Barry Goldwater, Jr. presented a pewter cup to Joseph
Pampalone, who was honored along with Dr. Ruth Boak, as a Citizen of the
Year by the Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council.
Joseph Pampalone’s work continued in
many of the community organizations of Chatsworth, including the Chamber
of Commerce and Rotary International. The City Council of Los Angeles
paused a moment in his memory when Councilman Hal Bernson announced his
unexpected death in May of 1999. Hundreds of friends, neighbors and
patients came to celebrate his life at the family’s Chatsworth home.
Barbara Pampalone has been a member of
the Chatsworth Women’s Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Chatsworth
Historical Society for many years. She has twice served as President of
the Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council, and seven years ago she
joined the San Fernando Valley Northwest Rotary, serving as its
president for two terms.
Dr. Pampalone served for over ten
years as the Dental Director of Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND)
Dental Clinic in Pacoima. In 1999 she was chosen as Los Angeles Pioneer
Woman of the Year, MEND Volunteer of the Year and the Citizen of the
Year from the Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council.
She is a member of the American Dental
Association, California Dental Association, San Fernando Valley Dental
Society and is an Associate in the Academy of Ossiointegration as well
as a Master in the Academy of General Dentisty. She is proud of her
membership in the honorary dental fraternity, the Pierre Fauchard
Academy.
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