In January, David Swan, DDS, and Doug Baker, founder of D.H. Baker Dental Laboratory, joined forces with other dental professionals for Heaven D.E.N.T. (Delighting the Edentulous with New Teeth), an event providing 20 uninsured individuals with free dentures over the course of a weekend. Basic examinations and preparation took place on day one, while the prosthesis, final adjustments and home-care instructions were delivered the following day. The event benefited Traverse Health Clinic patients and took place at Traverse Dental Associates in Northern Michigan.

Swan and Baker hope to make this an annual event. "There is such a need in our communities today to help those less fortunate," Baker explains. "As dental technicians, we are happy to support our community and get involved. This wonderful profession gives us the opportunity to restore permanent smiles with the hope of improving lives."

Other participants included technicians Kathy Weber of Starcast Dental Lab, Gary Rushton of Rushton Dental Lab, Kurt Schumacher of Schumacher Dental Laboratory, Randy Juneau of D.H. Baker Dental Laboratory, members of Traverse Dental Associates and six other dentist-volunteers recruited by Swan.

Ivoclar Vivadent was one of the event sponsors. "If we can do something good for the industry and improve a patient's quality of life, and we have the resources available, then we will gladly get involved," says Wayne Ledford, Vice President of Laboratory Sales for Ivoclar Vivadent.

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