(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
A Reason to Smile
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/07 - July
There’s a special type of energy you encounter when meeting Dr. Paul DeCarlo.
After working 40 years at his dental practice in Florida, Dr. DeCarlo wasn’t quite ready to call it quits when he and his wife Linda moved to the mountains of North Carolina. He was encouraged to continue his restorative dental work in the volunteer sphere and jumped at the opportunity to become one of the dedicated dentists at The Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic in Cashiers.
As one of the most recent volunteers, he says he was immediately impressed with both the facility and the staff.
“I get to do what I really love to do with very, very professional people at an extremely well-equipped clinic,” he says. “Everybody wins!”
He enjoys the camaraderie he’s found but by far his most favorite thing is the hugs from patients. “The hugs are what keep you going. You realize you’ve done something for someone that can really change their life.”
Dr. DeCarlo has been able to bring his work in restorative dentistry to the clinic. He leaves the extractions and root canals to others and focuses on repairing chipped and decayed teeth.
“There’s no better feeling than to think you’re able to help in some small way,” he says. “When I see a patient who is no longer embarrassed to smile, who doesn’t cover up their mouth to laugh, well, that’s what it’s all about.”
The Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic was started by a coalition of local churches in 2003. It has since grown to serve hundreds of needy patients from the surrounding tri-county area, many of whom have never seen the inside of a dentist’s office. Their permanent location is at Laurel Terrace in Cashiers and they depend upon the selfless dedication of volunteer dental professionals, staff and board members, as well as the generous support of a caring community.
Dr. Paul DeCarlo is one of many who strongly believe in the care they provide. He encourages you to find out how you might help by visiting the website at BlueRidgeFreeDentalClinic.org or by calling them at (828) 743-3393.
