Mesa Day of Giving 2019

Bright Now! Dental Gives Back to the Mesa, Arizona Community!

Four doctors from Bright Now! Dental made it their Sunday mission to provide underserved communities in Mesa, AZ with the chance to receive adequate dental care! Dr. Harlean Ahuja, Dr. Jared Kenney, Dr. Chase Andreason and Dr. Meeta Patel gathered with over 25 support staff to host the Mesa Day of Giving, where the Team provided pro bono exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and more to the underserved members of their community.

The Mesa Team worked with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation to partner with local nonprofits, such as Harvest Compassion Center, a local food bank; Arizona Center for Youth Resources, a program that guides underprivileged youth; Phoenix Rescue Mission, an organization that fights hunger, homelessness, and addiction; and various veterans’ organizations. The Smiles for Everyone Foundation would like to send a special thank you to Phoenix Rescue Mission for establishing such a strong partnership in the past couple of years and allowing Bright Now! Dental volunteers to serve so many clients at these clinics.

“It was absolutely wonderful,” reported a representative from Phoenix Rescue Mission. “All the clients that received services were thrilled! Thank you for this opportunity, your Team truly made a difference for our clients.”

The Smiles for Everyone Foundation would also like to thank the entire Mesa Team for donating their time and skills to help others! With their hard work and determination, they were able to donate nearly $40,000 in dentistry to bridge the gap between medical providers and those who are unable to afford quality care.

The next Day of Giving that the Foundation will be hosting will be at A+ Dental Care in Roseville, CA on April 27th. Please visit www.smilesforeveryone.org for more information.

 

Costa Rica

Also launched in January 2026, the Costa Rica outpost is building relationships with local providers and organizations to support access to quality dental care. The team is currently focused on infrastructure setup, collaboration opportunities, and planning initial clinical outreaches.

Zambia

Set to launch in October 2026, the Zambia outpost is in its planning phase, with an emphasis on community engagement and long-term sustainability. Preparations include identifying local partners, securing resources, and developing outreach strategies to address significant unmet dental needs

Zimbabwe

Launched in January 2026, the Zimbabwe outpost is focused on establishing local partnerships and assessing community needs to deliver sustainable dental care. Early efforts center on equipment support, volunteer coordination, and laying the groundwork for future outreach programs in underserved communities.

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

Shirley Grissetti

Administrator

Dr. Paulina Sanchez

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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