“These People Have Been Terrific”

11/12/2019

By Ken DeLaat
Photos by Gail Howarth

“This was a great and humbling experience once again providing free dental care for our local veterans.I can’t wait to see the turnout for next year!”-NFDC Hygienist Trisha Tramper.

Mike McClain moved to Newaygo County a dozen years ago. The Vietnam veteran hadn’t been to the dentist since that move so when he read about Newaygo Family Dental Care holding a free day of dental work for Vets he came into their office last Friday morning.
“These people have been just terrific,” he said as he sat in the waiting room. “I had my teeth cleaned and x-rayed and now I’m waiting to have a wisdom tooth extracted.”
“I’m going to make this my dental office.”
McClain echoed the feeling among those sitting in the waiting room.
“These folks have been so polite and courteous,” said Air Force veteran Lawrence Hein who traveled from Mears to take part.

This past Friday for the second year the idea hatched by the Drs Nelson (Dennis, Ross) and supported by their exemplary staff brought free dental services to veterans on a first come first served basis.
By 10:45 nearly 20 vets had already been in a chair at NFDC and the afternoon promised more to come.
The office was decorated in their best red white and blue and the waiting room offered a table of refreshments (including some very good cookies) for their patrons.
“This was a great group of veterans,” said Dr. Ross Nelson. “ Everyone was friendly, appreciative and patient.”

While the numerous local state and national celebrations that took place on Monday were fitting tributes to the many men and women who have served our country, initiatives like this shift that gratitude from a noun to a verb.
An old friend used to say “Some folks who come to visit thank you for your hospitality and that’s nice.
“Others bring the groceries.”
Last Friday the staff at Newaygo Family Dental Care brought the groceries.
Nicely done folks.
Nicely done indeed.