KUKUI GROVE n When the offices of Great Smiles Dental and Pacific Eyewear open their doors at 7:30 a.m., Dec. 24, it will mark the ninth year that the dentist and optician have celebrated the holidays by offering free services to the needy people on Kaua‘i.
“On Christmas Eve, people with urgent dental, or eye care problems, and no possible way to pay for treatment, are invited to visit Dr. Greg Naganuma and Dr. Larry Sherrer for free service,” Dr. Naganuma announced.
Cash donations will be accepted, but not required, and all contributions will be presented to the Salvation Army.
During the eight years the pair of doctors have offered the service, there have been numerous individuals and families whose holidays were brightened by the generosity of two firms and their staff members.
The services offered are not limited to just dental and eye care, but will also have Susan Budlong from North Shore Dental Laboratory on hand to offer free denture repairs.
Staff members, and the families of the doctors also donate their services during the free CARE day. Naganuma said they will help as many people as they possibly can on a “first come, first served” basis. There is no reservations on that day.
Services that are available include dental exams, cleanings, tooth removal, nerve treatment, fillings, and denture repair being done at the Great Smiles Dental offices.
Around the corner at Pacific Eyewear, people may get eye exams, evaluations for cataract, glaucoma and diabetes, vision testing, with free single vision glasses to those in need.
Dr. Naganuma, who prepares for this annual day months in advance said that in the past they’ve offered free flu shots, but this year, due to the shortage of vaccines, they will be limiting their offerings to just dental and eye care.
Dr. Naganuma and Sherrer will be serving the public from their offices in the Kukui Grove Center located across from the gas station and cinema.
If you need them, and have no way to pay, they invite you to their offices on Christmas Eve.
For more information, call Dr. Naganuma at Great Smiles Dental at 245-6933, and Dr. Sherrer at Pacific Eyewear at 245-5377.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
