Dr. Amanda Canto, Cosmetic Dentists of Houston Leads City in Freedom Day USA 2015

    HOUSTON, TX, September 23, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For every American, September brings with it a shadow. A time of remembering a moment that will never fade. On Sept. 11, 2001, America's freedom was attacked, yet in the face of this attack, Americans came together like never before. On Sept. 10, 2015, Dr. Amanda Canto, owner of Cosmetic Dentists of Houston, and six other Houston-area dental offices exemplified their appreciation and undying support to the men and women who have given so much to ensure that America is able to withstand any attack.

On Sept. 10, Cosmetic Dentists of Houston and these other dental offices participated in the annual Freedom Day USA, where business owners set aside the costs of business to show current and veteran military members and their immediate family members how much they appreciate the many sacrifices they have made. Dr. Canto's office alone served 25 military members and their families, ranging from dental cleanings to oral surgery. The monetary value for the work the dental team conducted surpassed $20,000 and provided each military patient the opportunity to better protect and, for some, save their teeth and walk out with more confidence in their appearance.

This is the third year Dr. Canto's office has participated in the annual event with this year far surpassing the numbers of the previous two. For 2016, she anticipates more former and current military members and their families to be served and more Houston businesses to become involved.

"It has been an extraordinary day. We've seen an absolute exorbitant amount of people, but it seems like it happened in five seconds because it was that much fun," Dr. Canto said shortly after the event concluded. "The patients that came in today - the guys and ladies - were so extraordinarily appreciative that our hearts are bursting with gratitude just from seeing that and for being able to give back. I can honestly tell you that it is our favorite day of the year to be able to give thanks and give back to those who have kept us free."

A Chance to Bring Hope

Of the 25 military members and their families who were served, a large fraction came from Camp Hope, a PTSD clinic located in northwest Houston, which houses military veterans and helps them successfully re-enter the civilian world. For many of these veterans, Freedom Day USA and the provisions provided by Cosmetic Dentists of Houston and the other Houston dental offices is a godsend, especially considering the hardships they had to face during combat duty and even after being discharged.

"It's kind of weird being out and being back in the civilian world," said Fred Gardner, an E4 Marine Corporal who served in Iraq from 2006 to 2010. "I have had some good times and some bad times, most of them have been pretty bad for the most part just because I'm still having a hard time coping with everything that happened. I'm having a hard time adjusting. The transition's been pretty rough. I just have to pick up the pieces and start a whole new life."

It's for this reason why Freedom Day USA means so much to him and other veterans. It's physically seeing and encountering true appreciation from civilians who will never understand what they have to cope with.

"It means everything to me," he said. "Honestly, with no doubt in my mind, it is a very, very, very selfless act. Everything [Dr. Canto] is doing and this dentist office is doing for us, I can't thank them enough. Today they fixed my teeth and they are doing everything for veterans. There are no words I can use to thank them. It's a wonderful thing they're doing and I have the utmost respect for them."

Bradley Blue, veterans coordinator for Camp Hope, said Dr. Canto's passion for veterans and their health and well-being is rare to see, but added that she has sent a powerful message informing these military members and their families that they do not stand alone.

"Dr. Canto and all these dentists today, they've been fantastic. They've stood up and taken that step forward to show that they actually care for their veterans," he said. "When these people step up, it actually shows their heart and that's what these guys see. It's no token 'Thank you for your service.' It's no longer words. It's actions. It's fantastic."

The mindset of action over words was why Kelly Quintana Webb, Burkhart Dental Supply representative, decided to volunteer her services at the Cosmetic Dentists of Houston office. Webb is an Air Force veteran, who worked in the Dental Corps from 2002 to 2006. She said she simply wanted to be around veterans again and hear their stories and help make a positive impact on their lives.

She said military veterans are provided dental benefits throughout their lifetime, but that there simply are not enough dentists to fill all the dental needs of these former soldiers.

"When I was stationed in Germany, retirees would come sit for days until they could squeeze into an appointment. It's heartbreaking because it is an underserved need in the community for retirees and veterans," she said.

Freedom Day USA has helped tremendously in this aspect as more and more businesses, like Dr. Canto's Cosmetic Dentists of Houston, become involved. Webb said that although it is only one day, it makes a major impact, especially from a local perspective.

Freedom Day USA: A Way to Never Forget

Every year, Freedom Day USA, scheduled for the second Thursday of every September, falls on or around Sept. 11. In modern American history, it has become the pinnacle day to remember the cost of American liberty and democracy, yet without a doubt it arrives with an ever-present reminder of tragedy and great loss. From the waning moments of the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 till now, Americans have held to the statement, "We will never forget," which is why Freedom Day USA was chosen to coincide with this historical moment. It was chosen to prove that this statement still rings true and always will.

Businesses all across America engage in this annual event with the focus on helping and thanking military veterans and their family members. Business owners, regardless of the business, are encouraged to become involved and offer their services, goods, or products free of charge to these invaluable men and women.

"Today has been an amazing experience just seeing the transformations of the different men and women who have served our country coming through that door and just being able to say 'Thank you' and seeing the deep appreciation for what we do," said Sharon Rios, practice administrator for Cosmetic Dentists of Houston. "I've been fighting back tears all day."

With each passing year, this national day of mourning has also become a time to remember our nation's greatest heroes. The goal for Dr. Canto and Dr. Robert Martino, founder of Freedom Day USA, is to exponentially grow what is considered a 'Thank You' movement by spreading the word to every military veteran and their family, as well as including more business involvement across the nation.

Dr. Canto said what her office did was just a "small thank you" for the "huge sacrifices" made by all the men and women in the military, along with their families. She added that there are times America lacks in gratitude for these sacrifices, but believes that the right mentality among civilians is being ushered back.

"We have some plans on how to make this bigger for the years to come," she said. "I'm not just excited about this. I'm really passionate because I think it's the very least we can do."

For many veterans and their families, this Sept. 10 provided a much needed thank you and a pivotal show of support for the troops who are serving and have served. For Gardner and other veterans like him, Dr. Canto and various business owners across the nation became the "savior," even if just for the day.

"From myself and all of us here at Cosmetic Dentists of Houston, we want to say thank you to all of the veterans out there, to all of our active military, to the families, to the children, to the wives, the mothers, the fathers, brothers and sisters, everybody that has anything to do with all of these amazing people that have taken a step up to protect our country, to protect our freedom, to make this country what it's been and what it will be," Dr. Canto said. "We hope that everyone we were able to touch and that everyone that was touched around the country with Freedom Day USA has just felt a little bit of the thank you that we really feel in our hearts because we appreciate you - absolutely appreciate you. And we couldn't be who we are in this country without you."

For business owners looking to become involved in 2016 Freedom Day USA, visit FreedomDayUSA.org and become a participant.

Freedom Day USA: Freedom Day USA launched Sept. 12, 2013 by Dr. Robert Martino, owner of Wilson Martino Dental, which is the largest dental chain in West Virginia. The idea behind the launch was to provide current and veteran servicemen and women free services, goods and products from various businesses as a "Thank You" for their service to America. Freedom Day USA is held every second Thursday of September. If you are a business owner and wish to become involved, visit here. If you would like to make a donation to the cause, visit here.

Cosmetic Dentists of Houston: Cosmetic Dentists of Houston, founded by Dr. Amanda Canto, has become one of the most influential and well-respected dental clinics in the Greater Houston area. The dental office is located in the Galleria. For more information, call 713-622-1977 or fill out the information form.

Camp Hope: Camp Hope, part of the PTSD Foundation of America, is a Houston-based interim housing complex focusing on the needs of military veterans suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which is a very common issue among military servicemen and women. Camp Hope offers a 90-plus day PTSD recovery program that provides group lessons, support sessions, off-site group interaction activities, and volunteer opportunities. Visit the website to find out more about Camp Hope.

CONTACT:
Grant Cussans
ViCare Media
[email protected]

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