Area dentists committed to sharing blessings

Throughout the year, Kevin Hintz plays the role of dentist. But for one wintry day a year, he and his Family Dentistry staff turn their Post Falls office into a Santa-worthy workshop for families in need.

Earlier this month, on Dec. 5 – known by those at the clinic as the annual Shared Blessings Day – a handful of local families, including six children, were hand picked by Hintz and crew for examinations, cleanings and to address any immediate dental issues. Since Kevin Hintz Family Dentistry opened in 2005, the eight-member staff has volunteered a full day of their services to help the less fortunate prior to Christmas.

Though the dental work is a gift for the family’s health that keeps on giving, it’s only a stocking stuffer compared to what comes next – the dental staff ambushes the patients with presents and groceries for a complete Christmas dinner in the parking lot.

“We do as much as time allows, and money is not an issue,” said Hillary Olsen, who works in the front office at Family Dentistry. “After each family is leaving, we surprise them with the gifts and groceries … It was an amazing experience. There was a lot of crying, a lot of hugging; it was a great thing to be a part of.”

Hintz, a Spokane-native who describes himself as an old-fashioned kind of guy, believes in the underlying traditions of caring for those in need and sharing God’s blessings that provide the cornerstones for the holiday season. The day, he said, is an opportunity to give back to the community.

“We base everything on need,” Hintz said, adding that he receives referrals from his own patients as well as through local church organizations. “The number one thing I look for is single parents – dads, moms – and people who are really trying to get by, but are struggling to make ends meet.”

After sorting through a pile of about 20 potential families, about five are chosen and then interviewed to find out everything from dental problems, such as abscesses and cavities, to what the children like and dislike. The staff then plays the role of Santa, finding presents tailored to each patient.

One family that Hintz said he knew needed help right away was that of three siblings, two boys and their sister ages 12, 13 and 16, respectively. Abandoned by their drug-abusing mother at a young age, the trio was adopted by an aunt. However, she died in her late 30s, so their grandmother has since taken them in.

“These kids have had tragedy after tragedy after tragedy,” Hintz said, adding that he was glad to provide the family with free dental work, which included a roughly $3,000 broken-tooth repair. “They just need to know that someone is out there who cares for them, and that was a big tear-jerker for me.”

Most of the parents that are called to take part in the day of shared blessings can’t afford Christmas time, which means they’ll even put off their own urgent dental needs, Hintz explained. “We want to get them out of pain and a better Christmas.”

And hopefully the dental procedures are gifts that last a lifetime, the dentist said.

“It’s really educating them about what we need to do and how to treat their kids. And we open it up all year so they can come in for checkups.”

Hintz was inspired to help his community by friend and fellow dentist Ola Englund, of Englund and DesRoches Dentistry in North Spokane.

The Lilac City dentists have marked the Shared Blessings Day on their calendar for 23 years. The volunteer event grew so quickly that patients began donating presents and money, and the dental clinic even puts together an annual newsletter. “We don’t do it to increase our business, we really do it for the community,” said Englund, who opened the practice in 1979 and has brought in other dentists through the years, including Hintz, to help out for the day. “From a Christian perspective, God has blessed us and our business and I feel like I need to give some of that back to the community. That’s kind of how the name ‘Shared Blessings’ came about – is sharing God’s blessing with the community.”

Englund said he’d like to see more businesses that are able to offer a day dedicated to those in need.

“That would allow us to have not as much government intervention in that area” of charitable contributions, he said, adding that no dollars are wasted when a business takes it upon themselves to provide for their communities.

Above all, though, the lessons of the Shared Blessings day are meant to have a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, as well as those who can provide, said Family Dentistry’s Hintz. “We hope that this story will enlighten other people who are able to give back in this dismal year of layoffs and tightened wallets,” he said. “I just want to give back. I’m just hoping that, God forbid, something were to happen to me, I hope that someone would be there for me.”