Columbia Dentist Makes Impact on Community for 25 years.

Dr. Daniel Stewart of Smile Savers Dentistry opened his doors in the Columbia MD Pizza Hut building 25 years ago.  Since that time he has seen over 62,000 patients from this area and surrounding counties, including Washington, D.C.  The office has accumulated hundreds of reviews from patients who have raved about their dental experiences in the office citing amazingly gentle dental work and a friendly and caring staff.

Over the years, Dr. Stewart and the staff have been most impacted by the caring and charitable character of its patient base.  Inspired by them, Dr. Stewart has taken up many of their causes.  In many cases, patients get so much more help than just healthy teeth and gums for their lifetimes!

The examples are endless and some of the more inspiring stories include when a patient explained that she had taken in 2 homeless people and was helping them get themselves together to be able to take care of themselves.  They needed driver’s licenses, presentable clothing and dental work, among other things.  Smile Savers Dentistry and Dr. Stewart provided them both with thousands of dollars of dental work for no charge.  As the Smile Savers Dentistry patient said, “They have now been living with us for 7 months, and as I relayed to you, their dental conditions were less than optimal. The fact that they had rotting teeth, loose teeth due to gum disease and no teeth was hard for me to realize. When I came in for dental care in November 2010, I shared my story with you. One of my goals for both of them was a "New Smile." You and your staff were so compassionate to their needs. I knew that their dental care would be more than I could afford, but I was willing to sacrifice to give them dentures. With you and your dedicated team giving generous donations of x-rays, evaluations, teeth cleaning, teeth pulling and fillings, it made it possible for me to pay a nominal fee for the dentures.  I must say it has been an overwhelming experience in helping two people who had nothing. We have all shared in that joy.”

Smile Savers Dentistry has almost annually given dental treatment plans gratis to patients who have overcome some lifetime tragedy.  These are typically patients who have recovered from an addiction or lost their job and demonstrated that they are doing everything to get themselves back on track.

Dr. Stewart also regularly gave his time and expertise for many years to patients at Mission of Mercy where he provided dentistry on a regular basis to people who couldn’t afford treatment.

He and his staff have also made educational presentations at local schools and pre-schools, helping to educate young people about proper dental care.  Smile Savers Dentistry also opened its doors (and lab) over the years to several local high school students who interned in the office.                

Some patients have also given selflessly to charities and community based programs that meant a lot to them, and Smile Savers Dentistry has supported their causes as well.  One of Dr. Stewart’s long time patients started the Carol Jean Cancer Foundation in memory of her sister and has established Camp Friendship, a camp for children suffering from cancer and their siblings.  Dr. Stewart has matched donations from patients and other doctors for several years and sent numerous sick children and their siblings to Camp Friendship. 

Smile Savers Dentistry is also a big supporter of The Believe in Tomorrow Foundation, which offers respite housing for families with sick children and emergency housing for families who live far away and have sick children at Johns Hopkins Hospital.    In addition to raising money, matching funds and getting staff, patients and friends to participate in their many 5k runs, Dr. Stewart and his family also personally make one meal per month at The Believe in Tomorrow House for the families staying there.

Smile Savers Dentistry also supported John Travolta’s charity, “Heroes’ Health Fund” by raising money for the local program as well as the national one.  Heroes’ Health Fund is a detoxification program for firefighters and other first responders.

Smile Savers also supports the community via local programs, including the YMCA “Safe Place for Kids Campaign” and Howard County Youth Program.  Dr. Stewart also encouraged other doctors and his patients to support organizations like Legion MC & 4 Horsemen Charities and the Wounded Warriors, and became a key contributor to their event.  Likewise, he amassed support for Trucking for Troops by getting patients and staff to donate time and money, culminating in staff participation in their 5K run as well.

“Considering the wear and tear from 25 years of practicing dentistry, helping my patients and the community has been a key factor in making me still really enjoy my profession.  I am excited to come to work each day.  With the help of my great staff and great patients, it makes it pretty easy,” said Dr. Stewart.  For the last 25 years, the growth and stability of Smile Savers Dentistry has created a positive impact on the people of Howard County as well as their charities, big and small.