West Covina Dental Group Dental Team

History of Free Dental Care

Written By : Generations of Smiles Writers

Published: Nov 18, 2024

In This Article

We have relationships with over 900 dental practices across the country. This unique position allows us to organize and implement a nationwide campaign to serve these communities annually by providing free dental care.

We call that day of service Smile Generation Serve Day. This day profoundly impacts our communities, providing much-needed free dental care to those without access and other services that benefit the community.

We work with local organizations and community partners to determine how we can be of the most help. This effort often means providing donated dental care and sometimes even more. We might discover that the community needs a park cleaned up or help with a local food bank. Whatever these communities need, our Smile-Generation trusted teams are there to help.

Donated Dental Services for the Whole Family

Serve Day is about getting free dentistry to people who need it the most. Nationwide, patients come in for many reasons, from requiring a hygiene visit to a dental filling or crown. In addition to cleanings and exams, we provide digital X-rays, extractions, implants, and other restorative services.

The rewards of serving others on Serve Day each year are immeasurable. Witnessing the kindness volunteers share, and the joy-filled gratitude from patients is truly moving. The stories of resilience from individuals who had overcome gut-wrenching challenges to find newfound confidence and opportunity inspire us.

For instance, a Smile-Generation-trusted team in Tigard, OR, partnered with Breast Friends, a support group for women affected by breast cancer, to provide donated dentistry. Witnessing the strength of these women facing immense challenges was truly inspiring, and despite feeling moved to tears, we could share smiles with them.

One year, we met a remarkable individual working as a cashier at 7-Eleven in Las Vegas. She had worked fewer hours recently and faced struggles with her family and as a single mother of two. After meeting our healthcare coordinator, we provided her with comprehensive dental care, including braces.

Whether it's helping a woman regain her smile and start a new career, enabling a veteran to enjoy a favorite meal again, or simply alleviating someone's pain, every moment of impact is profoundly rewarding.

Dentists Committed to Dental Outreach

These days are only possible with the dedication and commitment of our entire Smile-Generation-trusted team. Clinicians who donate their time and expertise to deliver free dental care to these patients lead these teams. Many of our clinicians have made a significant difference in the lives of these patients.

For example, in a Smile-Generation-trusted Falcon Park Dental Group in Highlands Ranch, Colo., Dr. Ashley Spooner and her team transformed a young girl's life with a full mouth CEREC® rehabilitation. Struggling with oral health issues, the patient faced bullying at school. Dr. Spooner treated her on Smile Generation Serve Day, providing $5,000 of donated dentistry. Our young patient began her senior year with newfound confidence and a radiant smile.

Another example happened when Clermont Smiles Dentistry in Clermont, FL, partnered with the Unforsaken Women’s Corporation to assist single mothers, widows, and those in need for this Smile-Generation-trusted practice’s first Serve Day. An unexpected patient in extreme pain sought help, and Dr. Nam added her to their schedule. After her treatment, the woman was so grateful she made Clermont Smiles Dentistry her new dental home.

Millions in Free Dentistry

The annual Smile Generation Serve Day has been part of our culture since 2011. It has resulted in millions of dollars of free dentistry for patients who cannot afford the care they need.

Our Smile-Generation-trusted team members have volunteered over 495,000 hours to help over 35,000 patients. Over the years, the collective total of this donated dentistry has climbed to over $74 million.

And we aren’t done yet.

“Smile Generation Serve Day is a day for giving back to the community,” said Stephen Thorne, founder, president, and CEO of PDS Health “Access to dental care is critical for a patient’s overall health. By opening up their practices to help those who may not otherwise have access to dental care, the Smile-Generation-trusted dentists are confirming their commitment to their community members and their oral health.”

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