For one dental office in Bellefonte this is an opportunity to thank our vets but also raise awareness about the desperate need for dental clinics in the Centre Region

Nicole Carnicella has been practicing dentistry in Bellefonte for 14 years.

But she realizes not everyone has the resources to be treated on a regular basis.

She remembers her step-father, a Vietnam veteran who didn’t have dental benefits available to him after his time in the service.

“When I got into dental school and started to take care of his oral health, it was atrocious,” Carnicella said.

After school she joined a masters program with the Academy of General Dentistry.

As part of their philosophy, she created an annual event offering free dental services to veterans in Centre County.

“Men and women that were walking around without teeth, they now have teeth in their mouth. Or they couldn’t get jobs because they were embarrassed to smile because their teeth were so crooked,” Carnicell said.

Any veteran with valid identification can stop by Carnicella and Associates on Friday at 8 a.m. for free dental care.

This the third year they’ve hosted this event..

So far they’ve provided about $50,000 worth of services including dentures and braces.

“It’s our way of giving back but it’s also our way of trying to make an awareness about the need for more veteran dental clinics,” Carnicella said.

She said they treat on average about 30 people for the event.

“Just to be able to do that in one day, I can’t imagine the need, you know if we could have a clinic and really see people on a daily basis,” Carnicella said.

They will continue treating patients from Friday morning until they help out everybody in the waiting room that day.

But it would be helpful if you set up an appointment.

You can check out more information HERE.