Volunteer dentists, hygienists and support personnel, participate in Doctors With a Heart Day at Progressive Dental providing a day of free dental care to community members. The 31st annual Free Dental Day at Progressive Dental takes place on Saturday, Sept 19, from 8 am to noon. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Progressive Dental will host its 31st annual Doctors With a Heart Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, at both its Norwich and Endwell locations. On this day, dentists, hygienists and support personnel volunteer their time to offer essential dental care services at no cost to individuals.

While the official run time of the event is from 8 a.m. to noon, registration usually begins around 7 a.m. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and some patients arrive as early as 5 a.m. to secure a spot in line. The Norwich office expects to treat 70 to 90 patients during the four-hour time frame.

Dr. Sonny Spera, owner of Progressive Dental, started the free dental day at his practice in 1995 after being inspired by an Iowa dentist who initiated Doctors With a Heart Day in 1984, hoping to encourage health care providers to donate one day of free services each year. Progressive Dental has since provided more than $1.4 million in free dental care to community members in need across its offices.

“What keeps us committed is just having the intention of helping out your neighbors and those most in need of care that can't get it. I think it's just a natural consequence of being a provider, a doctor, a dentist,” Spera said.

Due to the nature of the day, all services provided at Doctors With a Heart Day must be completed in a single visit. This includes cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions and minor appliance adjustments. They won't be doing treatments like root canals, crowns or dentures that require multiple visits.

“You can make a huge difference in someone's life by removing an infection or fixing that front tooth that's chipped and they have a job interview,” Spera said. “You can change someone's life in a very short time.”

“That tooth could be the reason they can't eat their favorite food. It could be the reason they're no longer smiling or feel confident to, you know, speak to someone. And if we can do a little filling or we can take out that tooth or get them out of pain, it's amazing what that little impact can do for someone's life long term,” said Lauren Pecka, Progressive Dental's public relations coordinator.

As patients arrive on free dental day, the line is divided into two groups: those who came only for a cleaning and can be seen by a dental hygienist, and those who have expressed a specific concern and will see the doctor. Pecka said the registration process is easy. Patients are asked to fill out a simple medical history form and provide some personal information. They won't be asked for proof of hardship to receive services, and attendees do not need to be current patients of Progressive Dental.

Pecka said some patients may arrive nervous or embarrassed, especially if they have not gone to the dentist in some years.

“I would say don't even sweat it. Don't even think about it because everyone there is so welcoming. It's absolutely a judgment-free zone. We want to do what's best for you. We want everyone to feel welcome,” she said.

Throughout the years, Progressive Dental has held this event at a handful of its locations. They are proud to continue Doctors With a Heart Day and hope to expand it as staffing allows. Spera said more volunteers, rather than funding, are the key to serving more patients.

“The most important thing is that we're here, the doctors and the team at Progressive Dental, to help you out with whatever dental concerns you may have. It could be big, it could be small, but we're there to help make your day and your life a little bit better,” Spera said.