Berlanga Dentures - Welcome to Our Blog

Denturism is defined as, “the practice of Denturists examining oral health, planning treatment, making artificial dentures including other removable oral appliances, and fitting them to their patients.” It’s important to note, we are not dentists.

Equipped with solid technical training as a technician, and post-technician training in sciences, clinical skills, and interpersonal skills, denturists can design, create, construct, and modify (repair and reline) an oral prosthesis (dentures) to ensure optimal fit, maximum comfort, and general well-being.

Denturism is a recognized profession throughout the world and is practiced in many countries including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. In the United States, however, denturism is only legislated and practiced in seven states (Maine, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington).

In 1994, the People of the State of Washington passed Initiative 607, allowing persons other than dentists to manufacture and sell dentures to the public. This new professional would be known as a denturist. Joey Berlanga was one of the original 24 Denturists who helped to pass the initiative. Today, denturists are recognized as an important part of the health profession in Washington. Thanks to those who helped pass the initiative, the public now has the right to choose an affordable alternative when it comes to denture care.

Denturists are an important part of the community of dental care providers.

When you seek the care of a Denturist you will find that as a patient you play an active role in the discussion of what you desire for your new dentures. Remember, you are in the hands of a professional who specializes only in the making of removable prosthodontics. Here at Berlanga Dentures we will involve you in the steps necessary to ensure your dentures fit properly and meet your full expectations for the rest of your life.

The Washington Denturist Association (WDA) was formed to promote unity and to maintain standards of professional ethics among Denturists in our state. For more information on the WDA and Denturism throughout the world, may we suggest the following websites (see below).
The Berlanga family would like to thank everyone responsible for the passing of Initiative 607 and for being able to provide the public with quality, affordable denture care.

Remember, a Denturist is always the best choice for your denture needs! Contact us to Today to schedule a Free Consultation.
 
Washington Denturist Association
National Denturist Association 
International Federation of Denturists 

The Berlanga family history is not only about this wonderful family and their dedication to the denturist community here in Western Washington, it’s also about being pioneers in their industry. Joey Berlanga Sr., Joey’s father, started the denture business at 17-years-old with Harold Moss, who was the mayor at the time and called the business the Wright Park Denture Clinic. They were considered lab technicians at the time since denturists didn’t exist yet, but in 1992 local lab technicians got together to change this. In November of 1994, the People of the State of Washington passed Initiative I-607, allowing persons other than dentists to manufacture and sell dentures to the public. This new professional would be known as a Denturist. Following the passing of I-607, Denturists in the state of Washington were allowed to become licensed and open a denture practice.

In 1992 Joey Berlanga married Jeri and together they opened their first clinic, Puget Sound Dentures, in 1994.  In 1996, Joey Sr. retired, and Joey opened the Parkland Denture Center, and in 2013 they opened the Meridian Denture Center in Puyallup. In 2017, Joey’s oldest daughter, Priscilla Berlanga, joined the practice and is working towards her license.

Today Denturists are recognized as an important part of the health profession, and thanks to pioneers like the Berlangas who helped pass the initiative, the public now has the right to choose an affordable alternative when it comes to denture care. A Denturist in the State of Washington is a licensed professional whose field of dentistry is dedicated solely to providing removable full and partial dentures directly to the public and who constructs, inserts, and adjusts removable dentures as well as other dentures or implants.  Denturists have served many years fabricating dentures and have passed a comprehensive practical exam on the fitting and making of dentures along with a thorough written examination conducted through the State of Washington Board of Denturists.

To learn more about Denturists, click HERE.
For more information on Denturists visit the Washington Denturist Association