Men and women in the military make a tremendous commitment to the nation, courageously risking their lives to preserve the safety and freedom of Americans, and it can seem impossible to develop a way to truly express gratitude for their service. One way Dental Care of Corona has worked to show its appreciation is by providing extensive, complimentary dental care to one local Corona veteran, Army Sgt. Nicholas Mendes.
In April 2011, Sgt. Mendes suffered severe injuries following an explosion during his second deployment in Sangsar, Afghanistan. The explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) underneath a vehicle, resulted in multiple fractures and paralysis from the neck down. Following seven months of recovery and therapy, Mendes was released from hospital care in October 2011 but still depends on his wife Wendy for his day-to-day routine.
Dr. Patel of Dental Care of Corona states, “We are passionate about supporting veterans in our community, and when we heard about Sgt. Mendes’ story, we wanted to do something to help. Providing dental care is just small way to show how grateful we are for the service our military provides.” Two years later, Dental Care of Corona is proud to celebrate with the Mendes family as they take another leap on the road to recovery.
To further help his family rebuild, Mendes has received a home through Homes for Our Troops, Inc., an organization that offers severely injured veterans housing that is engineered to their needs and mortgage-free. The Mendes home is equipped with a variety of innovative features, included a roll-in shower, a track system, and voice-automated doors, tools that will allow Sgt. Mendes to move more independently. Mendes will celebrate his new home with a special ceremony, surrounded by the community that has supported him.
The celebration takes place on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at 42441 Shaw Lane, Murrieta, CA 92562. Registration begins at 9:30AM, followed with the keys ceremony at 10:00AM. Dental Care of Corona patients are invited to line the street as Sgt. Mendes is given the keys to his new home. Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the home and see the custom-engineered features that will help make Sgt. Mendes daily routine easier.
About Dental Care of Corona: With over 40 years of experience in serving the dental needs of Corona families, Dental Care of Corona specializes in a pain-free, custom experience for each patient. Its core values of honesty and integrity are exhibited in all areas of the practice, from full disclosure of dental issues to up-front information on fee structures. For more information, visit www.dentalcareofcorona.com and for kids dentistry, visit www.allsmileskids.com.