Canton Dentists Host Third Annual 'Free Dental Day'

Some people celebrated Cinco de Mayo with margaritas. 

Ronica Ellis of Farmington Hills and pal Cheryl Spivey of Detroit spent Thursday evening camping out in Canton, hoping to be first in line for the third annual Free Dental Day, a charitable program offered by 

Basic cleanings, tooth extractions and fillings were offered beginning at 8 a.m. Many people sleeping outside overnight to have the work done. All work performed was free of charge and handled on a first-come, first-served basis, though only those procedures that could be performed in a day were offered.

They were among the first people in line arrived at the office on Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. Ellis said she and her friend passed the time watching movies. 

“What better place to celebrate the holiday than with Dr. Pinckney and his staff?" she said.

On Friday, Ellis and Spivey received routine cleanings; Spivey said that she also had a nagging tooth extracted.

The effort, now in its third year, aims to provide needed dental work for those without the financial means to have it performed.

“We try to do what we can and get them functional,” said Dr. Henry Pinckney, founder of the practice.  He said that he got the idea for the charity dental day several years ago from a colleague in Chicago.

A staff of four dentists, six hygienists and one oral surgeon volunteered to perform the procedures. Office manager Janice Greenwood said that many of the staff’s family members also donated their time for the day to help, by answering phones and keeping track of paperwork.

Greenwood said that they treated 105 patients, which is less than the roughly 150 who were helped during last year's event.

She attributed the lower turnout to the fact that this year the event was held on Friday, as opposed to the previous two that took place on Saturdays.

Holding the event during the week, she said, allowed the doctors to perform multiple procedures on patients they had. Only one procedure per person was available when the event was held on Saturdays, she said.

“In these times when it’s hard on a hard-working person like me,” said Canton resident Tina McFarland, “Things like this I really appreciate. This is a blessing, for sure.”