“I had teeth missing in the bottom and the back that had been knocked out. I was in crisis, I thought the only hope for me was to have all of them pulled and have dentures,” said dental patient Susan Kaufman.
Instead, Kaufman credits dentist Sam Sadati with saving her smile.
“She had a lot of teeth that were missing and I could tell it wasn't because of periodontal disease, I could tell it was because of a direct hit,” said Sadati.
Sadati is one of more than 800 dentists nationwide volunteering their services through a program called “Give Back a Smile.”
Dentist volunteers with "Give Back a Smile" program.
“Many of them think that it's their fault and they are shy and timid and embarrassed,” said Doctor Sadati.
Susan said Dr. Sadati gave her more than just a new smile. He gave her back her self-esteem.
“When I was done, finished, and they gave me the mirror, I was just overjoyed. I'm crying. The staff is crying, staff's crying. It was a gift,” said Kaufman.