WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Hometown Heroes: Howard Dental Group
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By Melanie Ruberti - bio | email
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - It's not very often you see people actually lining up to get in to the dentist's office. But for patients like Jessica Cramer, this may be their only chance to get their teeth checked.
"I have no insurance and I need cavities filled," she explained.
Her story is a familiar one to other people standing in line outside the Pooler Family Dental Clinic on Friday, and to Dr. Julie Howard, who's family runs the office.
"Because if anybody loses their insurance, the first insurance to go is typically dental insurance," Dr. Howard said. "And then so many don't have it to begin with. If we can provide them at least one cleaning a year, or take out one bad tooth that's infected, then we know we've improved their overall health."
That's what they did on Friday, treating more than two hundred patients to free dental work. It's called Dentistry from the Heart. This is the third year the Howard Dental group has done the event. Last year they gave away more than $85,000 worth of free dental work.
"We can impact a lot of people in a positive way and help provide them their dental needs," Dr. Howard explained.
Jesse Gann drove in all the way from Statesboro, camping out on the porch of the clinic at midnight. He was number two in line.
"I can't find the money to get to a dentis," he said. "It's hard to come by that kind of money to get a tooth pulled," Jesse said. "Everywhere I go, they say 'you need an oral surgeon'. I'm here today, and they say one is on the way."
It wasn't only the dental work patients received. Dr. Howard coordinated with the Second Harvest Food Bank. They showed up with a truck full of food, enough for 300 patients. Enough groceries to get them through the next two weeks.
"It's a good way to help a lot of people out," said Joshua Davidson.
"We'll just keep going until all 200 patients are served," smiled Dr. Howard.
It's that selfless giving that makes the Howard Dental Group Hometown Heroes.
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