The Day of Giving for Veterans is an annual event that has been a truly rewarding experience for the volunteers who participate. Over thirty providers and support staff gathered at the Bright Now! Dental office in Olympia, Washington to host the 2018 Olympia Day of Giving this past weekend. Director of Market Operations, Nicole Witherbee, celebrated her birthday by helping deliver Smiles to veterans, and Dr. Brittany Nichols and her team drove three and a half hours to volunteer at this special event. This dedication and enthusiasm from the Olympia team helped provide dental care to 90 individuals, delivering nearly $70,000 in donated dentistry.

“Thank you, I am very appreciative of everything that was provided and all of the work and they did an amazing job,” says patient Jessica D. “I had a lot that needed to be done and I recently lost my job and put my kids’ needs first so this really helped me a lot.”

The Smiles for Everyone Foundation partnered with many different Veteran Outreach associations to refer veterans and their dependents to this free dental day. Celia Stephens was one of the individuals who heard about the event through these various networks. She says, “Thank you for giving to people who don’t have dental care… You will be blessed in return! I can’t thank you enough! It was very generous of all of you to sacrifice your weekend day for people in need. Especially for veterans and their spouses (which is me). It was my first time at your company. I don’t have a dentist and would like to come back because the staff helped me feel at ease.”

Many other individuals expressed their sincerest gratitude for the services provided. Michael and Arline Tabola live on a fixed income. When their granddaughter was struggling to pay for college, the couple decided to give up their dental insurance to help her pay for school. Michael heard about the Olympia Day of Giving through his veterans network, and the couple had also attended the event last year. Michael and Arline were so appreciative for the services provided that this year, they brought jars of homemade organic raspberry jam for all of the volunteers, along with a lovely note to thank the team.

  

David Stocks and his son, Eli, also attended the Day of Giving last year. David was in the Army for eight and a half years and fought for our country in Afghanistan. Now, his focus is on taking care of his son, and that includes getting his son the proper dental care that he needs. The volunteers loved Eli and his sweet personality!

  

The team looks forward to this event every year, but it is not the only time that they serve those in need. Later this year, Dr. Nichols will be traveling to Africa on a dental mission trip to serve individuals in some of the most disadvantaged communities. Through the Share Our Smiles program, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has provided a grant of dental supplies to support Dr. Nichols on her mission. The Foundation looks forward to sharing more about her outreach.

The next Day of Giving will be hosted by Bright Now! Dental in Burbank, CA on May 6, 2018. Please visit www.smilesforeveryone.org for more information.


Philippines

Rache Macaranas

Administrator

Col. Percy Macaranas

Administrator

Operating from two locations (Mindanao and Luzon), the Philippines team bring dental care to those most in need, including PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) in city jails and remote tribes like T’boli tribe that often require seven hours or more of travel over rough roads to reach them.

Laos

Dr. Sonexay Kounlavong

Lead Dentist

Good Begin

Administrator

Though they faced economic challenges and massive regional flooding in 2024, the Laos team worked hard to serve their community, including students attending a monastary. This outpost was organically developed by the Thai team, and the two regularly do outreach together.

Rwanda

Dr. Jesse Wong

Lead Dentist

Launched in January 2025, our newest outpost is led by Dr. Jesse Wong, a Canadian dentist who has lived in Rwanda for 10+ years.

With just two dentists for every 100,000 people in the country, the team is gearing up to treat over 4,000 people in their first year of operation, meeting serious needs in the region, where tooth decay in up to 50% of children is due to high levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

Thailand

Dr. Wata Siyootagrai

Lead Dentist

Narissara (Oh) Jearajetchai

Administrator

Working tirelessly to build partnerships and expand operations, our Thailand outpost has served schools, communities and remote tribes.

In 2024, they have placed their focus to serving refugees from Myanmar, the homeless, children in orphanages, and sex workers—those who have the least access to dental care.

Ghana

Dr. Tinuola Esther Mark

Lead Dentist

Kwesi Oduro-Korankye

Administrator

Ghana won the 2024 Outpost of the Year Award for its outstanding work. By partnering with the Ghana Health Service, this outpost has recruited and assigned dentists to each district of the Ashanti region, ensuring comprehensive care.

Paraguay

Judah Mooney

Director, Diaconia

Pablo Ortiz

Administrator

Dr. Andrea Lopez

Lead Dentist

Paraguay was our first outpost, and began with one doctor serving once a month.


Today, the Paraguay team operates a mobile clinic, partners with dentists at their clinics, and runs a program at Guternburg School.

Central America

Dr. Reyes

Lead Administrator

A dedicated team of volunteer dentists provide much-needed care to communities in need. This year, the outpost partnered with a youth organization, offering services and education to children and adolescents who otherwise don’t have access to dental care.

Mexico

Jesus Perez

Director

Using innovative strategies and technology to increase efficiency and overcome barriers, the Mexico outpost is connected with key universities in the area to collaborate with dental school students.



The team also opened a Smiles Dental Consultation Room for patients who need follow-up from the larger outreaches.

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