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Free dental work from the heart

Third year for "Dentistry from the Heart" at Westwood Dental Group

The line-up began at 4:30 a.m. Friday morning and grew to about 50 by 7:30 a.m. Among those who came to Dr. John Pate’s Westwood Dental Group at 530 Willow Road were many experiencing dental discomfort, and some who hadn’t seen a dentist in years.

For the third straight year the clinic is participating in the international “Dentistry from the Heart” campaign, a day when dentists fix teeth for free.

In the two previous years Westwood has given away about $23,000 each year in free cleanings, fillings and extractions. Pate said at the event Friday morning he would like to exceed that amount this year.

Jessica MacNeil was among the first in the line-up. She has a very painful tooth, but her insurance won’t cover the work she needs until next year. She can’t wait.

“I think this is an awesome cause,” she said. “A lot of people can’t afford to have their teeth fixed or even cleaned.”

While she wasn’t sure what work she needed in order to alleviate her pain, she was hopeful the free visit to Westwood would help.

“It would be lovely to live with less pain,” she said.

In the line-up were children, teenagers and seniors, and many newcomers to Guelph.

Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie was on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony. He spoke to a number of people in the line-up.

“I just learned before coming here this morning that Guelph has been named the number one community in Canada for welcoming newcomers,” Guthrie said to the gathering.

He said Dr. Pate and the people at Westwood Dental Group were an example of that welcoming spirit, offering care to those who don’t have dental benefits but have a urgent need for dental work.

“It makes a huge difference,” he said.

During the ribbon cutting Pate and Guthrie were surrounded by the clinic’s staff. Pate said all hands were on deck, and all volunteered their time, even those on vacation.

“Our desire is to help people who don’t have the ability to access dental work for whatever reason,” Pate said in an interview. “No one here is being paid. They are volunteering their time. We are going to fix whatever needs to be fixed.”

Lisa Moore, marketing coordinator for the clinic, said a number of local businesses sponsored the campaign. She said the goal this year is to give away $25,000 in free dental work.

“Some of these people haven’t had a cleaning in 10 years,” she said. “This helps a lot of seniors who are living only on a pension.”

The event continues throughout the day.

“Dentistry from the Heart” is a non-profit organization started in 2001 by Florida dentist Dr. Vincent Monticciolo. It happens in several countries countries around the world, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Puerto Rico.

Each year it provides millions of dollars in free dental work to those in need.


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Rob O'Flanagan

About the Author: Rob O'Flanagan

Rob O’Flanagan has been a newspaper reporter, photojournalist and columnist for over twenty years. He has won numerous Ontario Newspaper Awards and a National Newspaper Award.
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