Dental professionals and volunteers worked together for the benefit of area people in need at their 11th annual “Dentists with a Heart Day” on February 15th. The event was sponsored by the Mesquite Rotary Club, and occurred at the Mesquite dental offices of Dr. Byron McKnight and Dr. Ken Taylor, who donated their services and facility for the day. In a very successful effort, this team served over 50 area patients in need, providing them with life-changing care through free dental services that would normally have been worth a total of $55,000. The patients were referred for the event from Sharing Life Ministries, Grace Place, International Church Street, Mesquite ISD, and even from people in need that the participating dentists had met throughout the year.Also involved were dentists Dr. Sloan Hildebrand, Ron Bosher, Tommy Reed, Cam Johnson, and Richard Dirksen, hygienists Lisa Blanton and Sandy Collins, and many volunteers. Helm Dental Lab provided the lab work for everyone in advance, and onsite which included partial and full dentures. This team provided cleanings, fillings, prosthetics, and extractions for patients. Helm Dental Lab provided the lab work for everyone in advance, and onsite.
The dentists and hygienists working at the event also provided dental education and hygiene instructions to the patients in attendance. Also participating were the Mesquite Panera Bread and Chick-fil-a restaurants, who donated meals to support the dental personnel and volunteers.