This week on Community Corner, we got to introduce you to founder of Giving Smiles, Dr. Eileen Seitz. Giving Smiles is a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing dental care for folks who normally can’t afford it. Of course, dental visits are key to good health, but Seitz is really passionate about restoring confident smiles. Her patients come out of their procedures with increased self-confidence and dignity that spill into all their day to day interactions.
Seitz originally started a private for profit practice here in Nashville, but after a medical mission trip to Haiti, found that in her estimation the access to affordable dentistry in Middle Tennessee was just as scarce if not more than it was in Haiti. In fact, Tennessee is ranked 49th out of the 50 states in terms of dental health. So Seitz got to work, purchasing a mobile dental clinic and sprucing it up before hitting the streets to meet her patients wherever they were at. Today, Giving Smiles still offers their mobile dentistry, but also offers expanded services in a brick and mortar location in Spring Hill.
If you’re looking to help out, Dr. Seitz says there are a number of needs you can fill. “We need all kinds of volunteers, but if you’re a dental professional, we would love it if you would sign up for a shift [to help out]…Even if you have photography skills, social media skills, I could even use someone to help with fundraising.” What a great reminder that skilled volunteerism is essential to the success of our nonprofit community! Of course, you can also help by donating online, here.
Community Corner airs every Saturday at 7am, but if you missed us on-air you can listen to the full interview with Dr. Eileen Seitz below: