Story + Photography by Catherine May Taylor

Many people dislike going to the dentist, but it was all smiles and even some happy tears on this year’s Freedom Day USA at Dr. Kathleen Mullaney’s dental office in Old Town. Dr. Mullaney joined dozens of other practitioners to provide free goods and services to military members who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Dr. Mullaney, a Navy veteran herself, joined up with volunteers such as Dr. Antara Daru from Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in Richmond. Together they donated more than $43,000 in free procedures including cleanings, fillings, and oral surgeries.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson dropped by to thank the practitioners for their efforts and the patients for their service. One such patient, Mignette Humphrey, was overwhelmed with happiness when she learned she would have a necessary root canal free of charge, a procedure she couldn’t have afforded without the Freedom Day organization.