LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland dentist recently continued a 10-year tradition of providing free dental services once a year. Dr. William Nerestant hosted his Free Dental Day at his Midtown Dental practice and his entire staff even volunteered for the event.

What You Need To Know

  • Dr. William Nerestant grew up in Haiti and found inspiration in his uncle, who was a priest

  • Nerestant's Midtown Dental has hosted the Free Dental Day for ten years

  • Other dentists and their staffs also help provide free dental care to needy residents during the event

  • Nerestant also organizes annual medical missionary trips to other countries

This year’s event happened back on Nov. 17 and helped about 150 people. Nerestant said some other dentists closed their practices for the day so they and their staffs could help at the event as well.

Nerestant said he listens to his heart and that motives him to help needy people.

“It tells me there is a lot of good that I can choose to do,” he said. “And that’s why we chose to do to open up the door to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to dental care.”

Nerestant grew up in Haiti around an uncle who was a priest. That uncle set a good example of helping others that Nerestant wants to emulate. “Whether that means to take a family and help them. Making sure their kids go to school. Making sure they had sustenance. Making sure they had a roof. It was second nature to him.”

Dental hygienist Melody Muir has taken part in the Free Dental Day since its inception. “It’s just a heartwarming, wonderful thing to do. I like it,” she said.

Nerestant also organizes yearly medical missionary trips to places like Haiti and Trinidad. “Well, it takes a year of planning. And we are already planning for the next trip. The next mission’s trip which is going to be in Trinidad next year.”

One of the people who received free care on the Free Dental Day was Micaela Brown. Nerestant pulled two teeth. That wasn’t fun, but she was grateful. “It’s awesome. Especially nowadays when you can’t afford insurance and it’s expensive,” she said. “This is a blessing.”