Alfano Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery hosted its 2nd Annual Time To Smile free dental day at the Dental Specialty Center in Enola.
A team of volunteers from Verber Dental Group served the free dental event during National Volunteer Week 2022. Dr. Pete Alfano and his team offered free tooth extractions and hygiene appointments during the Time To Smile event. This event provided free dental treatment for individuals without the means to pay for care.
Dr. Alfano, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon lead this day of giving back for a second time.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always liked giving back to the community. I’ve been on mission trips abroad but I wanted to do something a little closer to home.” Alfano said.
According to Verber Dental Group CEO & Chairman Dr. Michael Verber, “Volunteerism and community service is part of our mission at the Verber Dental Group. This really comes from our team. We have a group of people that want giving back to be part of our culture. I grew up watching my dad and other dentists start foundations, sit on boards, coach youth sports, and make a difference in their communities. This part of dentistry’s legacy has been driven by local ownership. If 100% of the ownership and decision making resides with people caring for patients, practices will continue to be committed to serving their communities.”
On Saturday April 23, 2022, over 30 dental professionals from the Verber team spent their day at the Dental Specialty Center. For the second year in a row, Time to Smile provided free dental services. Building upon their event from last year that provided free extractions, this year’s event saw an 30% increase in patients and over $37,000 in free services such as cleanings, restorations, and extractions.
Alexa, an EFDA at the Dental Specialty Center who assisted with the restorative treatment said, “Many of my patients neglected to see the dentist out of fear from past experiences that were not so good. I can truly say that every last one of them felt at ease and expressed how gentle we were and how pain free their experience was. Their minds were at ease and that fear was no longer there. This is why I love what I do and I’m grateful that I was able to be even a small part of such an extraordinary event.”
Compassionate service provides both volunteers and patients a sense of togetherness that is weaved into the fabric of a community. As one patient stated in a social media post following the event, “Thank you to all of you who volunteered your time and talents today to serve and treat our community. Dr. Verber and colleagues are wonderful people and always professional and gracious. THANK YOU!”
