AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 600 Texans received free dental care over the weekend thanks to a nationwide initiative aimed at giving back to local communities.
Smile Generation, a national dental provider with over 1,000 offices across the U.S., has hosted an annual Serve Day since 2011. The event provides essential dental care at no cost to underserved patients. This year, the program delivered $2.5 million in donated dental services to patients across Texas, according to a press release.
In Georgetown, one dental office treated about 20 patients, contributing over $75,000 worth of care free of charge. Dr. Michael Young, owner of two Austin-area practices, has participated in Serve Day for nine years. He described it as an opportunity to support patients who face barriers to regular dental care.
“Time, fear, and cost often keep people from getting dentistry,” Young said. “We wanted to create a day where we give back to those who might not otherwise afford the care they need.”
During the event, Young and his team helped a patient who required approximately $20,000 in dental work. The patient, the daughter of a long-term patient, had fallen on hard times and could not afford treatment. Her procedure included several tooth extractions and a temporary bridge, providing her with the ability to smile confidently in front of her children.
“It was a good day for everyone,” Young said. “She left smiling and in a much better place.”
This year, Smile Generation partnered with Everyone for Veterans and Hire Heroes USA to extend dental care to veterans and others lacking access. More than 80% of U.S. veterans do not qualify for dental coverage, highlighting the need for such initiatives.
“A lot of times, dental care isn’t in the budget,” Young said. “People tend to ignore issues until they hurt, but untreated problems only get worse. Events like Serve Day help get patients back on track.”
Serve Day illustrates how dental professionals can combine skill and compassion to address oral health inequities, offering much-needed relief to underserved communities across Texas.
