ORLANDO, Fla. – A mobile dental unit is providing more than a million dollars in free dental services to under insured or uninsured people.
Last month, News 6 introduced you to Michelle Lawton, who is better known as the "Tooth Fairy" to her neighbors in Bithlo. Lawton is the dental coordinator for Florida Hospital Community Impact, and works in a mobile dentistry unit providing more than a million dollars in care to 2,600 people.
[READ MORE: Mobile dental unit helps thousands in Bithlo]
After our story aired, Lawton said she had a great influx in patients, causing them to bring the mobile unit out four or five time more than ever before.
"We've seen results in multiple ways. Trust being a number one thing, awareness being No. 2, especially with you helping and getting the word out there, and then we're also seeing patients return with family members because the trust is there, to help them as well," Lawton told morning anchor Kirstin O'Connor.
One of Lawton's patients, Sharon Freeborn owns a barber shop in Christmas, about eight miles down the road from Bithlo Community Park where the mobile unit is stationed. She said she refers many of her clients to Lawton.
"Because if you don't get your teeth fixed, a haircut's not going to do you any good," Freeborn said.
She also offers free haircuts for clients who need dental and hygiene care.
"Just paying it forward, because I get plenty of help and I want to help who I can help," Freeborn said.
Lawton and Freeborn said the free services have helped change the lives of many of their neighbors, allowing them to apply for new jobs.
"It only takes a moment to extend your hand, and when that person smiles it changes their whole life, and then they smile to the next person and its a chain reaction," said Lawton.
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