‘Smiles for the Community’ event set for Nov. 15
Free annual Dental Day to be held in Fort Myers; registrations will begin at 7 a.m.
The community has the opportunity to receive a free filling, extraction or teeth cleaning during the Smiles for the Community‘s fourth annual Free Dental Care Day in Fort Myers.
The event will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, at Lee Dental Care, 3436 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers with registration beginning at 7 a.m.
Smiles for the Community Secretary Jennifer Mabee said their general group, Blue Sea Dental, has offices throughout Southwest Florida and into the Sarasota and Winter Haven area.
“Our founder, Dr. Paul Uliasz felt strongly about giving back,” she said.
With the desire to offer free dental care days in Southwest Florida, Uliasz founded the nonprofit organization, Smiles for the Community.
“We founded Smiles for the Community in 2022 and did our first event in November 2022,” she said.
To date, 803 patients have been treated through the event, a total of $273,144 donated in services.
The November event guarantees seeing the first 200 patients that attend, Mabee said, adding that generally they see more patients than that.
“Last year we saw the largest number of patients to date — 305 patients,” she said, adding that was worth $109,000 in dental services.
The number of individuals they see on the free dental care day ranges from 228 to 305 patients.
“It has grown since we started. We have had a lot of good word-of-mouth and community support,” Mabee said.
Those interested in receiving one of the three free services are asked to register the day of the dental care day. She recommends that people come early, as the line typically begins between 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. with registration opening at 7 a.m.
“It’s a jovial environment. People are happy. They bring something to eat and drink and bring their chairs and hang out and wait to make sure they are among the first 200 to register to be seen,” Mabee said.
It is a first-come, first-served basis with no residency requirements or insurance. She said they ask for ID to make sure they are 18 years old and any medications they are on, as there is a medical history documented for patient safety.
The waiting area is outside under a tent with folding chairs.
“We encourage people to bring what they need to be comfortable waiting outside. It depends on the procedure on how short the wait will be,” Mabee said.
There are about 70 volunteers that day ranging from hygienist, dental assistants, patient care coordinators and dentists from the dental group, as well as some dentists from other practices.
“It takes a lot to move it along and sanitize rooms and turn rooms over for patients,” she said of the amazing generous team. “Dr. Paul has a very strong value of giving back to the community.”
Mabee said the event is wonderful as it is life changing for some of the patients as they have not had a cleaning in years, or have dealt with discomfort and severe pain for a long time. The joy on their faces when they smile, she said makes the entire event worthwhile.
“It’s a real feel good day,” Mabee said. “We all walk away with a real feeling of gratitude. These communities have been so good to us, and we want to give back.”
The event also offers free haircuts from barbery students from Cape Coral Technical College, and Harry Chapin Food Bank is on site handing out food.
She said they also have activities for kids, as some parents need to bring them along. Those include face painting, coloring and little games for them to play.
For more information, visit smilesforthecommunity.org.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com