Giving Everyone a Reason to Smile

PHOTO BY JORDAN RANDALL AND PROVIDED BY MIDTOWN DENTAL | DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MIDTOWN DENTAL

The Annual Free Dental Day at Midtown Dental isn’t just a clinic event. It’s a living, breathing testament to the idea that community isn’t a concept—it’s a commitment. 

When the doors open for the 15th Annual Free Dental Day at Midtown Dental on Friday, November 6, the team won’t just be offering dental exams, cleanings, and extractions. They will be offering a bridge to something that, for many, has been missing: hope.

For Dr. William Nerestant, the “why” behind this massive undertaking is deeply personal. It is rooted in the recognition that none of us truly make it alone. Throughout his own life—from his journey through higher education to his service in the Air Force — Dr. Nerestant was the beneficiary of scholarships, guidance, and the investment of time and energy from mentors and family who saw potential in him. He views his life and career not as a solo achievement, but as the result of a collective effort that has compelled him to pour into others.

“You never know. Sometimes just an ounce of blessing can be what somebody else is needing to have hope restored,” Dr. Nerestant reflects. 

People who are interested in receiving free dental care at the event are required to sign up in person on October 23. The doors open at 8 a.m. and reservations are available on a first come, first served basis.

Staff and volunteers are dedicated to making Annual Free Dental Day a success.

That philosophy is the bedrock of Free Dental Day. For many, a persistent toothache is more than just a physical ailment; it’s a shadow darkening their day, a burden that feels impossible to lift.

Nearly 20 percent of Polk County’s population of almost 900,000 live at or below the poverty line, meaning the need for accessible dental care is critical.

Dr. Nerestant sees the clinic as a source of light to pierce that shadow. He doesn’t view this day as a one-time charity project. He calls it “making daily deposits into the community,” acknowledging that the community, in turn, supports his practice year-round. It is a reciprocal bond of gratitude.

For more than 28 years, Dr. Nerestant and his staff have been committed to providing expert dental care for Lakelanders in a comfortable setting, and with a team that speaks English, French, Spanish, Haitian and Creole they can meet a wide variety of needs in our diverse community. 

The event, which began as a smaller, more intimate effort between Dr. Nerestant and Dr. Mical Slater has blossomed into a formidable force for good. Last year alone, the team of staff and volunteers served 150 patients. To pull off such a feat requires an incredible logistical dance, fueled by volunteers and sponsors from across Central Florida —including Orlando and Tampa — who see the work being done and want to be part of the solution. It is a profound alignment of values: a coming together of local businesses, churches, nonprofits, and dedicated professionals who understand that service is a boomerang. 

As Dr. Nerestant puts it: “Service is a boomerang; it always returns with many happy dividends.”

Walking into the office on Free Dental Day, you encounter a different kind of energy. The team doesn’t view this as mandatory, they view it as a privilege. They witness the relief on the faces of repeat patients who count on this day as their sole opportunity for care throughout the year. They hear the stories and feel the weight of the gratitude that fills the rooms. It is a moment where the high-level expertise of a practice built on complex cosmetic and implant dentistry is stripped down to its most essential, human purpose: to listen, to care, and to help a neighbor feel whole again.

This day epitomizes the spirit of Midtown Dental. It isn’t just about the drills or the innovative technology staff utilizes — it’s about the “calming demeanor” and the genuine concern that has defined Dr. Nerestant’s 23-year career. It is a reflection of a leader who takes little credit himself, instead pointing to his team of professionals who share his vision of compassionate, attentive care.

Free Dental Day is a day where the barrier between “patient” and “community” dissolves, replaced by the simple, enduring truth that when we invest in each other, we all rise together.