Comfort Dental offers free dental care on Christmas Eve

Comfort Dental hosted its 32nd annual Care Day on Christmas Eve.

All Comfort Dental general dentistry offices throughout Colorado and 12 other states provided free dental care Thursday to those in need.

The offices, including three in Colorado Springs, were open from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cleaning, extractions, fillings and other basic care were free to anyone, and patients were helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last year on Care Day, Comfort Dental gave away $1.2 million in free dental services to 4,700 patients nationally. Patients received care from 300 dentists and 1,300 staff members.

Comfort dentist Dr. Brian Anderson said most of the patients are uninsured or receive no regular dental care.

“It’s definitely an opportunity for them to at least, if not get a cleaning, maybe get a checkup,” he said.

Shannon Baldwin attended Care Day for the first time to have a cavity filled that has bothered her for two years.

“I basically didn’t eat on that side of my mouth,” she said. “I got the cavity from not flossing. I don’t have insurance and can’t afford to pay for it. So this really helps.”