Joe Lubisich, DMD

Volunteering since 2007

Dr. Josef Lubisich is one of the Free Clinic’s standout dentists.  A Portland native, he graduated from the OHSU School of Dentistry, and returned again to the area after completing his residency and Master of Science degree in pediatric dentistry at Loma Linda University.  He now practices with his father and brother, also a Free Clinic volunteer, at Vancouver Pediatric Dentistry .  In September of 2007, he successfully completed board certification in his specialty, which is not common in dentistry.

Besides dental practice and volunteering at the Free Clinic, Dr. Lubisich lives an incredibly full life.  He and his wife Erinne, also a dentist, are the proud parents of a 6-month-old son named Thomas.  Their family lives in Camas also has two marginally trained dogs—a Labrador named Fenway and a pug named Bear.  Dr. Lubisich has played the piano seriously since he was a small child, and it is a continuing passion.  He enjoys spending time outdoors, running and hiking.

Despite these many demands on his time, Dr. Lubisich sees patients at the Free Clinic once a month, like clockwork, and has done so since he started volunteering in the summer of 2006.  His commitment to service is longstanding.  When in school, he participated in international service projects that took him to several foreign countries, among them Mexico and Guatemala.  Being able to travel and volunteer internationally, he notes, is a great opportunity of working in health care.  Locally, the Clark County Dental Society and the Free Clinic sponsor the annual Give Kids a Smile where local dentists volunteer services for children.  Thirteen assistants, hygienists, and front-office staff from Dr. Lubisich’s office came, which was really special because they were able to help a lot of children in need.  Upon completing his residency and returning to the Northwest, he learned about the Free Clinic through the dental society and his brother, Dr. Peter Lubisich IV.  He is motivated to volunteer by the desire to give back to his community, and to help children who are at risk of falling through the cracks.

Dr. Lubisich is a great example of the kind of person that makes the Free Clinic possible.  An incredibly busy person, with a young family and many outside interests and talents, he still makes the time to provide dental care to children that might not otherwise be able access it.

January 2009