COAFS Smile Again Pro Bono program assists Bluffton man with Wisdom Teeth extractions
To some, wisdom teeth are a non-factor; to others, they’re a nuisance. But to 26-year old Bluffton-resident Alex Anderson, they were the source of severe pain and necessitated removal.
After having been involved in a bad accident as a child, Anderson has struggled off and on with health issues, including impacted and infected wisdom teeth. Due to his traumatic injury and resulting pain, he was terrified of visiting the dentist until his problems became too big to ignore. It was learning of Anderson’s unique story and condition from family dentist Dr. Justin Vanderpool of Hampton Lake Dental Care that prompted Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery to offer assistance — free of charge.
“With Alex’s case, we saw a young man who had dealt with serious health issues and needed a hand up,†said Aaron Sarathy, DMD, the physician in charge of Anderson’s surgery. “It meant a great deal to be able to help someone struggling become pain free and to simultaneously eliminate the associated financial burden.â€
Earlier this year, the practice did another pro bono surgery — this time for a young Charleston mom — who required the full-arch dental implant procedure. Recently, the practice was nominated for two awards: Charleston’s Choice and Best of Bluffton for the Best Oral Surgeon category. To the doctors at COAFS, the honor of being nominated spurs them on to continue being not only leaders in the field of oral surgery but also in their commitment to the Lowcountry on a personal level.
Whether it was staying open during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding canned food drives or spearheading the adopt-a-senior program, the physicians at Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery believe that leadership extends past office hours.
“Charleston, Bluffton and the greater area have embraced us so wholeheartedly,†said COAFS’ Dr. Graham Lee. “So it’s important to us to do pro bono and volunteer work in order to give back to the community that’s given so much to us.â€
To cast your vote for the practice, visit the contest pages for Charleston’s Choice and Best of Bluffton. Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery is grateful for your support and will continue to listen and respond to the needs of the Lowcountry during these unprecedented times.
