Patients wait to meet with the dentists. PHOTO: Synergy Design and Media

DEARBORN — On Saturday May 31, more than 125 people waited outside of Contemporary Dentistry in Dearborn for an opportunity to receive free dental treatments that included cleanings, fillings, extractions, and x-ray screenings.

This marked the dental office’s third annual free service day, which allows local residents with no insurance an opportunity to see an oral hygienist at no cost. 

The three dentists who operate Contemporary Dentistry— Dr. Nader Bazzi, Dr. Rima Bazzi and Dr. Julie Atoui— collaborated with other local dentists and doctors, including Dr. Mohamed Saad, Dr. Ali Saad and Dr. Shadi Krecht to make the event a success. Advanced Dentistry, led by Dr. Ali Sobh, also lent their services during the day. 

The event, which ran from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., attracted adults and children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Before seeing an oral hygienist, patients were asked to sign consent forms and were assisted by two registered nurses, Nessrine Berry and Sicknee Kleit, who took their blood pressure and determined their glucose levels. Patients were seen at a first-come, first-served basis with the assistance of a staff of more than 30 people. 

“We are tending to patients in need of dentistry,” Krecht said. “We know a lot of patients are out there who don’t have access to dentistry. It might just be a single day that we get to do this, but it is very fulfilling for us.”  

Many of the patients who turned out for the free service day hadn’t seen a dentist in years. They ranged from teenagers who encouraged their parents to get a dental cleaning, to parents who decided to bring their children for a check-up. 

Krecht said much of the local community lacks proper knowledge of dental care. It is common for foreigners to not receive oral treatment because many of them come from countries that don’t implement oral hygiene. In many cases, adults and children don’t receive treatment until long after they’ve already developed gum disease.  

“In general, there is always need for patient education on a daily basis,” Krecht said. “Even patients with the most thorough idea about dental health still need constant reminders. There is a lot of lacking in hygiene and a lot of lacking in education. We are here to raise that awareness on those issues as well.” 

Rima Bazzi said many patients in the local community don’t realize that neglecting their oral hygiene can cause their overall health condition to deteriorate.  It is recommended that an individual see a dentist for a cleaning twice a year. 

Bazzi said lack of insurance is only part of the problem as to why more individuals don’t seek dental treatment. 

“People are too busy thinking of other problems,” Bazzi said. “And if something is not causing them pain, they won’t realize that it needs to be treated. Bacteria can easily accumulate in their mouths and cause gum disease. Not only can it affect their mouths, but it can lead to an infection in the entire body; including causing strokes, diabetes, heart defects and even Alzheimer’s disease. We want to do our part to let people know that this is an integral part of their overall health.” 

The doctors say they plan to continue holding the event on a yearly basis, and hope that more local dentist offices join them in the fight to raise awareness. This year, they were able to get a large number of sponsors for the event, which took months of planning. 

Local businesses and restaurants also sponsored the event by contributing food and water. Sponsors included Dearborn Fresh, La Shish Restaurant, Pizza Kitchen, Country Chicken and Republic Waste, which provided water and trash boxes.