North Bay orthodontist gives away annual 'smile'

Most acts of charity can put a smile on someone's face, butDr. Glenn Palecznywants to make someone smilein the best way he knows how: free orthodontic care.

For the fifth year in a row, the orthodontist in North Bay is askingto hear from people who dream of havinga confident, healthy smile, but perhaps can't afford the treatments.

"We have enjoyed a lot of success in the North Bay and area, and my staff and Iwere looking for a way that we could give back to the community," saidPaleczny.

One of the dentists stepped forward. He said, 'I can do the prosthetic tooth.'One of the specialists said, 'I can do the surgery.' And one of the labs just said, "Hey ... we could make the bridge.'- Dr. GlennPaleczny on help from generous colleagues

He said he considered other ways of giving back, like sponsoring a hockey team, but then he thought about his team's most obvious strength.

"We're the experts in this sort of treatment. How good would it be to give it back to somebody who could really use treatment, but ... just may not be able to afford it?"

People are invited to share their story by filling out a formfrom his office. Hesaid it's not easy to choose just one name from the stack of compelling applications he receives each year, but some stories really do stand out.

In one memorable case, a high school guidance counsellor approached him for a quote on what it would cost to pay for one of her student's orthodontic work.

Palecznysaid the estimate came back at more than $11,000.

"When she found out there was missing teeth, impacted teeth, there was surgery involved ... she goes, 'I don't think I could do that, I didn't thinkit would be that much'," he recalled.

Palecznysaid the case was expensive and complicated. But, he said somelocal colleagues stepped-up to help immediately.

"One of the dentists stepped forward. He said, 'I can do the prosthetic tooth.'One of the specialists said, 'I can do the surgery.' And one of the labs just said, "Hey ... we could make the bridge.'"

In the end, the girl's dental work was completely taken care of.

"It was an amazing thing," saidPaleczny.

Dr. Paleczny shared more of his stories withCBC Sudbury Morning North radio show host Markus Schwabeon Monday.

On mobile? Click here

Morning North7:19North Bay orthodontist offers free service for one lucky person

Dr. Glenn Paleczny is an orthodontist in North Bay. He's going to be giving away his services to one lucky person. Dr. Paleczny told us orthodontics can give a person so much more than a beautiful smile. He told us more about why he began doing this.

You can call Dr. GlennPaleczny's office at (705) 474-6280 for an application or more information.