One Michigan dental team believes smiles are the best currency.

“Believe me, the smiles and thanks we received from all the people we treated made the long hours and hard work one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives,” Dr. Steven Shwedel (shown above, center) said in a story reported by thenewsherald.com.

He was referring to the September 12 Dentistry from the Heart event at which he and his team of more than 50 volunteers provided free dental care to 109 people in need.

According to the report, more than $30,000 in dental services was provided during the nine-hour event.

Over the course of seven years, Shwedel Dental’s Dentistry from the Heart has helped 842 patients and provided over $231,000 in free treatment in the Taylor, Michigan community.

Shwedel’s office, at 25650 Goddard Road, was assisted by Drs. Caroline Okonkowski, Nadia Al-Aasm, Jack Lee, Ronny Hourani and oral surgeon Dr. Bill Ruskin.

The volunteers provided a free filling, extraction or cleaning to those in need, and patients did not have to show proof of need for the service.

Dr. Shwedel offered his thanks and appreciation to all of the businesses that helped donate to make the event successful including Benco Dental, the city of Taylor mayor’s office and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department., Taylor Public Schools, Taylor Rotary, Olson’s Party Rental, Acee Deucee, Sam Pelligrino –State Farm Agency and Eric Woloszyk, CPA, as well as Texas Roadhouse for providing food for the patients as well as the volunteers. In addition, Walgreens pharmacist Bill Hales provided free flu shots during the event.

Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH), based in New Port Richey, Florida, is a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free dental care to those in need. Every year, thousands of individual dentists, hygienists, volunteers, and hundreds of practices across the world donate their time and resources to host their own DFTH events. In support of our dental organization’s providers, DFTH acts to ensure that those in need our advised of the services available through regional press releases and customized YouTube(tm) videos that promote the practices involved.

Dentistry From The Heart was founded by Dr. Vincent J. Monticciolo 14 years ago. Since then, the profession of dentistry has reached out and shown the world the giving spirit of the dental care industry. Over 300 events per year helping thousands of patients and giving millions in free dentistry.