Nonprofit dental clinic gives veterans reason to smile

New Port Richey, Fla.-based SmileFaith Foundation invited dentists from around the country to restore veterans' smiles, according to a Feb. 4 ABC Action News WFTS Tampa Bay article.

The dentists installed dental implants on around 100 veterans over the course of two days.

Dr. Mike O'Carroll, vice president of operations at SmileFaith Foundation, said dentists pay for implant courses and practice on veterans.

Lon McRae, DMD, a dentist from Idaho, told ABC Action News WFTS Tampa Bay: "In the state of Florida through SmileFaith, [dentists] are able to have a temporary license [so] that we can come in and be able to work with these patients. Not every state can do that and that's why this is so valuable here."

The nonprofit dental clinic offers dental service to veterans and human trafficking and domestic violence survivors. The services are offered through donations and partnerships.

"If you are missing one tooth, just one tooth, that really can change your life and if we can give that back to an individual, it is an invaluable service that we get," Dr. McRae said.

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