One-day Free Dental Clinic Set for Alpharetta
By Cady Schulman | cschulman@atljewishtimes.com
Dental insurance isn’t an option for many people in the Atlanta area, and that’s an illness dentist Brett Silverman is trying to treat.
On Saturday, May 30, Silverman and other dentists and dental hygienists will host the second Dentistry From the Heart Clinic, offering free dental care to those who need it.
“We like to give back,” Silverman said. “It’s a busy, crazy, tiring day, but we love to do it. It makes everybody smile and happy.”
Last year, more than 100 people received free dental care — around 75 lined up the night before — and Silverman said he hopes for a similar, if not larger, turnout this year at his Alpharetta office, Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry at 4205 North Point Parkway.
“I showed up about 5:30 a.m. (last year) to start setting up, and about 6 or 6:30 a.m. I went out and handed out cases of water,” Silverman said.
Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They may choose one of three services: cleanings, fillings or extractions. Silverman said extractions seem to be the biggest need because they affect a person’s smile, and those without dental insurance are more likely to attend an event where a more expensive procedure is free.
“It’s tough to go and smile or try to get a job or get a better job,” he said. “They don’t feel good. They’re not smiling.”
Smiles are clinic workers’ reward for their day of service.
“It was incredible,” Silverman said of last year’s clinic. “People on the way out were smiling and were so appreciative. It’s always fabulous to have somebody come in and leave smiling. It’s great. It was a tiring but unbelievable day.”
In addition to the dental clinic, the event will include hairstylists, DJs, children’s activities, an American Red Cross Blood Mobile and food.
It’s “the whole community coming back together and taking care of people in need and feeling good about it,” Silverman said.
While the clinic is for adults, Silverman said he hopes in the future to partner with pediatric dentists to provide dental care for children.
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