This past weekend, our Oakland team delivered Smiles for Everyone at our last Day of Giving event of 2018! Volunteers from near and far gathered at the Bright Now! Dental location in Oakland to deliver pro bono dental services to the local low-income community.
Providers and support staff who volunteered their time this past Saturday provided services to nearly 50 patients. Procedures include checkups, cleanings, oral cancer screenings, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions, and more. Patient Lupita H. expressed her gratitude for the excellent care that her family received by saying, “Thank you for putting a smile on my kids’ face. I am so thankful for everything you do!”
Tom Marshall, the Vice President of Payer Strategy of Smile Brands Inc., is a dedicated supporter of the Smiles for Everyone Foundation and traveled with the team to Oakland to volunteer his time and experience firsthand the dedication that the volunteers have towards creating Smiles for Everyone. He says, “I’m in awe by the truly impressive team of Go Givers that helped deliver Smiles for Everyone to so many in need at our Oakland Day of Giving! Excellent teamwork and dedication from dentists and the operational staff alike ensured success, and seeing the look of relief and smiles on patients’ faces was a huge reward for everyone.”
Volunteer providers included Dr. Mudita Agrawal, Dr. Wei-Yi Chao, Dr. Eunice Gonsalves, Dr. Farzin Khashayar, Dr. Manali Mehta, Dr. Nasreen Nangoli, Dr. Du Nguyen, and Dr. Sarika Sood.
Our Day of Giving events would not be possible without the help of local nonprofit organizations, which prescreen and refer patients such as Lupita to the dental clinic. Our partners included East Bay Innovations, which provides disability services; MISSSEY Inc., which supports victims of human trafficking; and East Oakland Community Project, which offers transitional housing, and more.
To read about our Smile Stories from 2018, click here.