About Us

History

In 1971, Dr. Edward L. Donaldson created the idea of Bippo the Hippo while he was stationed in Cuba with the United States Navy. At that time, Dr. Donaldson was the Navy’s only pediatric dentist. He created the Bippo character to help calm children’s dental fears by telling a story of the baby hippo’s first visit to the dentist. While he was stationed in Cuba, Dr. Donaldson met an artist named Harriet Hastings, the wife of a Navy officer. Mrs. Hastings beautifully illustrated Dr. Donaldson’s story using the Cuban terrain as inspiration and the world of Bippo the Hippo began.

The story begins with a very sad and frightened Bippo who has just found out that he is going to be visiting the dentist soon. Bippo decides that he is going to run away from home to avoid going to the dentist, but his friends in the forest explain that the visit will be fun and they coax him into going. While at the dentist, he learns about how to take care of his teeth and finds out that there is nothing to be afraid of. At the end of the visit, Bippo chooses a prize and gets a balloon for being a good patient. He then makes his follow up appointment and is excited about his next visit.

In the beginning, Dr. Donaldson was the only dentist at Bippo’s Place for Smiles. He has since passed the torch to numerous doctors, including his daughter, Dr. Jill Donaldson. The practice now has four pediatric dentists and 8 general dentists to assist them. You will find that our friendly staff of doctors, assistants and front desk helpers are always looking for new ways to make your visits pleasant and fun.

When your child visits our office, he or she will get to meet the real Bippo the Hippo and have a picture taken with him. Bippo loves to meet and play with new friends!