An East Aurora dentist office is giving people in financial need some help. Westermeier Martin Dental Care is giving low-income patients free cleanings, fillings and more.
Westermeier Martin Dental Care in East Aurora is helping low-income individuals today w/ FREE work @WKBW pic.twitter.com/UTcKZ3TUhw
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) June 17, 2016
It's a tradition more than a decade long that's engrained the stories of their patients forever in their hearts.
"A young mother had four children, her husband was killed in an accident and she brought her kids in," said Nancy Suto the patient representative manager. "Un-coached by the mother they would not leave until they went to the doctor and thanked him personally."
Every year people line up before the break of dawn.
.@breaknewsman helping hand out chairs to the people in line for FREE dental day @WKBW pic.twitter.com/JLfPtakzCZ
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) June 17, 2016
"We had a little boy in here, it was an immigrant family, so they really didn't have much and this little guy got in the chair and he was amazing," said Patty Gill, a dental hygienist.
Linda has been waiting in line since 4 this morning! Why does she need dental care? I'll tell you @ 12 on @WKBW pic.twitter.com/udcwZhknBJ
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) June 17, 2016
Linda Gribble traveled from Sloan, New York Friday morning and was the second person in line.
"When you're a senior citizen there's no eye coverage, there's no ear coverage, there's no dental cover so it costs," said Gribble.
She made the trip with her husband who has dementia and despite having to keep a close eye on him while she was in line Gribble said it was worth it.
"I feel privileged to have a professional job done on my teeth," said Gribble.
"If they just need a cleaning and we see that they have a cavity or something they want to get back in line and go through and see one of the doctors," said Gill.
Dental staffers said just because the office is in a nice suburb doesn't mean people in the community around them aren't struggling.
"It's not just a city type problem it's all over the place some of these people have struggled for weeks and months and live in constant pain and just to help them, you can't put a price on that," said Suto.
