By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Residents in Alabaster and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Buck Creek Family Dental on Saturday, Sept. 22, the business recently announced.

Dr. Martha Acton, Dr. Scott Kane and team at Buck Creek Family Dental said they will look to improve the oral health of the community as part of free dentistry day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance, according to the business.

“We understand that many people in our community and across the nation haven’t been to the dentist for a long period of time. Some don’t understand the importance of dental health, but more often than not, they don’t have the financial means,” Acton said. “This event is a great opportunity for us to share our time and resources with those less fortunate and give back to the community.”

Buck Creek Family Dental said there is increasing evidence linking oral health to overall health and well-being. The signs and symptoms of more than 100 medical conditions, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease and oral cancer may first be detected through traditional oral examinations.

“Dental health is a vital part of a person’s overall health,” Kane said. “Through this event, we hope to educate patients on the importance of dental health and encourage them to adopt an ongoing oral care regimen.”

During Free Dentistry Day, two free extractions will be provided per patient on Sept. 22, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 9100 Hwy 119 in Alabaster. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 624-4570 or visit FreeDentistryDay.org.

“It’s very gratifying to see the impact that events like Free Dentistry Day can have on the life of a person. At the same time we’re changing their life, they’re changing ours,” said Dr. Acton.