Perfect Smile Dental helped to deliver Smiles for Everyone on a rainy day in Las Vegas, Nevada!
Last Saturday’s weather forecast for Las Vegas predicted rainstorms and cloudy skies. But the volunteers from Smiles for Everyone’s Las Vegas Day of Giving were determined to cast rays of sunshine over all those who stepped into the Perfect Smile Dental office. Nine volunteer dentists and their spirited support staff gathered bright and early on February 2nd to provide low-income individuals with free dental care. Members of the Las Vegas community were informed about the event through our Foundation’s partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, such as Street Teens, an organization that gives guidance to homeless youth, Helping Hands of Las Vegas Valley, a support program for low-income senior citizens, and The Cupcake Girls, a resource center for victims of sex trafficking. With the assistance of these community organizations, the Las Vegas Team expected to provide care for a full schedule’s worth of people in need.
Less than a week before the Day of Giving was set to happen, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation discovered that news about the event had spread like wildfire. People were sharing information with their friends over social media, and several news sources ran stories about the upcoming event on television. The Foundation’s phone lines were ringing off the hook with eager patients hoping to fill the remaining available appointment slots. Those who called too late to receive a guaranteed appointment were placed on a wait list to be notified about any last minute openings. Over 100 people were able to receive care during the Day of Giving, and the Team proudly served over ten hours worth of under-insured patients.
The patients were extremely vocal about how grateful they were for the level of compassion shown to them by the Team. “They were smiling through, even though they were tired,” said Hollie S., who learned about the event from the local news. “I would just like to tell them thank you, and not to worry about the long wait.
Linda C, from the Jewish Family Service Agency wrote to us saying, “The staff is the bomb and humor filled, but also extremely patient, caring, and knowledgeable. I’m a disabled, senior veteran on a budget. This afforded me relief and satisfaction. You’re a blessing to the community! Keep up the good work, and God bless.”
The Smiles for Everyone Foundation would like to give a warm thank you the entire volunteer Team, including Dr. Karla Gutierrez, Dr. Gordon Murray, Dr. Sara Parasido, Dr. Kostika Polena, Dr. Cortnie Sanchez, Dr. Andrew Schneider, Dr. Joel Stokes, Dr. Kathleen Uy, and Dr. Matthew Welebir. Their hard work truly paid off, and as patient Hector M said it, “You made my 2019!”
This Day of Giving was funded by a grant received from the Oral Health Foundation – Pierre Fauchard Academy. Their funds are allowing the Smiles for Everyone Foundation to serve more people in need in 2019.
The next Day of Giving will take place on February 9 in Burleson, Texas. To read more about our past Smile Stories, and to keep up with the work we have planned in the future, click here.
