North Bay orthodontist gives away annual 'smile'
Dr. Glenn Paleczny gives free start-to-finish oral treatment each year to person in need
Most acts of charity can put a smile on someone's face, but Dr. Glenn Paleczny wants to make someone smile in the best way he knows how: free orthodontic care.
For the fifth year in a row, the orthodontist in North Bay is asking to hear from people who dream of having a confident, healthy smile, but perhaps can't afford the treatments.
"We have enjoyed a lot of success in the North Bay and area, and my staff and I were looking for a way that we could give back to the community," said Paleczny.
One of the dentists stepped forward. He said, 'I can do the prosthetic tooth.' One of the specialists said, 'I can do the surgery.' And one of the labs just said, "Hey ... we could make the bridge.'- Dr. Glenn Paleczny on help from generous colleagues
He said he considered other ways of giving back, like sponsoring a hockey team, but then he thought about his team's most obvious strength.
"We're the experts in this sort of treatment. How good would it be to give it back to somebody who could really use treatment, but ... just may not be able to afford it?"
People are invited to share their story by filling out a form from his office. He said it's not easy to choose just one name from the stack of compelling applications he receives each year, but some stories really do stand out.
In one memorable case, a high school guidance counsellor approached him for a quote on what it would cost to pay for one of her student's orthodontic work.
Paleczny said the estimate came back at more than $11,000.
"When she found out there was missing teeth, impacted teeth, there was surgery involved ... she goes, 'I don't think I could do that, I didn't think it would be that much'," he recalled.
Paleczny said the case was expensive and complicated. But, he said some local colleagues stepped-up to help immediately.
"One of the dentists stepped forward. He said, 'I can do the prosthetic tooth.' One of the specialists said, 'I can do the surgery.' And one of the labs just said, "Hey ... we could make the bridge.'"
In the end, the girl's dental work was completely taken care of.
"It was an amazing thing," said Paleczny.
Dr. Paleczny shared more of his stories with CBC Sudbury Morning North radio show host Markus Schwabe on Monday.
You can call Dr. Glenn Paleczny's office at (705) 474-6280 for an application or more information.