The family dental practice’s annual Smiles On Us event is back to offer free dental checkups and treatment on a first-come, first-served basis.
VANCOUVER, Wash. – This weekend, a family dentistry in Vancouver is offering its services free of charge to fill the care gap in its community.
Gillespie Dentistry’s annual Smiles On Us event takes place this Saturday, April 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We are a large family practice. We’ve been here for 40 years,” said Dr. Greg Gillespie. “My father and my uncle started the practice and now we are in the second generation.”
Good dental care runs in the family at Gillespie Dentistry, located southeast of McGillivray Boulevard and 132nd Avenue.
Dr. Greg Gillespie leads the practice with his brother Dr. Brad Gillespie and their cousin Dr. Dennis Gillespie.
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“My brother, my cousin and I all specialize in different fields,” said Dr. Brad Gillespie. “My brother is in cosmetics, my cousin does sleep apnea and orthodontics and I do a lot of surgeries.”
“The atmosphere that we get to create with each other and being able to own and be a dentist here in practice,” Dr. Dennis said, “we just feel very lucky to be able to have the impact we want to have with the community and with the team we work with.
On Saturday, April 23, they open their doors to the community to offer free dental care on a first-come, first-served basis.
“A modified cleaning, as well, we can do fillings and extractions,” Dr. Brad said. “We are able to meet people’s most pressing needs.
“We recognize that there are many people who do not have access to care; no dental insurance, they are in pain, they have no one to turn to,” Dr. Greg said.
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More people cannot afford dental care than any other type of health care. A survey by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health found that more than 6 million Americans have lost their oral health coverage due to the pandemic.
Cost is a barrier for many families. According to a survey by Aspen Dental, 80% of Americans delay dental care, knowing it will cost them more in the long run.
“We just knew access to care was an issue in the community and some people just can’t afford dental care, and if they’re not treated it causes real problems in their lives. life,” Brad said.
Smiles On Us relies on volunteers who donate their time and on other dental offices who join us in helping.
“I’m just super grateful to all the helpers who came out to help us on that day,” Dennis said.
Neglecting cavities and toothache often leads to an even bigger problem – and expense – in the future.
“We want to be uplifting. We want others to feel uplifted whenever they are around us and that opportunity is really at the core of who we are,” said Dr. Greg.
For more information, visit gillespiedentistry.com or call them at 360-667-1749.
