Despite threats of rain, hundreds lined up outside Cary Family Dental on Saturday, April 23, as part of the dental practice’s Fifth Annual Dentistry From The Heart event. At the end of the day, Dr. Allan Acton and a team of dentists, staff and volunteers provided approximately $80,000 in free dental care to 197 adults.

The event was promoted through community calendars, press releases, media interviews, outreach to local churches and nonprofits, and through Cary Family Dental’s own office, website and social media channels. Adults with a valid ID could receive a free extraction, filling or cleaning.

Although patients started being processed at 7 a.m., some had arrived the night before and brought lawn chairs, blankets and umbrellas. Throughout the day, they were treated to refreshments from Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Ruckus pizza, as well as entertainment from musician Chris Overstreet. The first 100 patients in line also received free t-shirts and toothbrushes.

“This was our most successful Dentistry From The Heart Event yet in terms of number of patients we were able to see,” said Dr. Acton. “I would like to thank our volunteers, staff and the Cary Family Dental team of doctors, as well as Doctors Gabriel Fritz, Ken Benson, Robert Stutts and Christina Maresca.”

Over the five years Cary Family Dental has been holding this local day of service, more than 800 adults have received almost $330,000 in free care.

For more information on Cary Family Dental, visit www.carydental.com. To learn more about the nationwide Dentistry From The Heart program, visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org.