BUFFALO, N.Y. — What started as a small ministry has evolved into several branches of service that bring important resources to people in Buffalo, including free monthly dental services.

The origin of the word “ministry” is rooted in service, and with a commitment to providing for residents who lack the essential resources they need, Harvest House Ministries is staying true to that original definition.

One of its four branches of ministry, Good Neighbors Health Care, offers a wide variety of services, including a program that allows patients to receive free dental care on the second Saturday of every month. Health Care Coordinator Joycelyn Moss says getting on board couldn’t be easier.

“Everyone can come out," said Moss. "No appointments are necessary. We will see our patients on a first-come-first-served basis. All of our services, which are x-rays, fillings, and extractions are free of charge, so no dental insurance is needed. We don’t even require an ID; just come as you are.”

Resulting from a partnership with the Eighth District Dental Society and the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, Good Neighbors Dental introduced a program that allows fourth-year graduating students from UB to provide complete dental exams, cleanings, extractions, and fillings at no cost to patients.

The program has proven doubly beneficial as students receive person-to-person experience in a learning environment equipped with labeled materials in examination rooms, while underserved neighbors can receive much-needed care for issues that, if not addressed, can take a toll on their overall health and well-being.

“A lot of times when we do get our emergency phone calls, they’re from individuals who are unable to sleep at night, they haven’t eaten in several days and these are typically your head of the household individuals, said Moss. "These are our loved ones, these are our parents, these are our sisters and our brothers. That inability to have quality dental care can affect their ability to get to work in the morning.”

While many understand the importance of dental health, it doesn’t make a visit to the office any less intimidating, and for some, downright fearful. Good Neighbors Dental seeks to provide a different environment. In this faith-based facility, visitors will find scriptures and inspirational quotes on the wall and during operations, staff members will even be present, if needed, for a prayer or a hand to hold. The same attentiveness is given to the actual treatment of patients.

“Our dentists will come on in, we’ll review all our x-rays and go from there as far as what the patient’s chief concerns are," said Moss. "Help with treatment planning, getting them back in here for any additional needs if there’s something that can’t be handled in this first visit, and of course, all subsequent visits are free.”

In addition to providing free services, $0.88 of every $1 that gets donated to Harvest House goes back into the community. For Joycelyn, a Florida native, finding an environment devoted to functioning in the values it promotes makes service a joyful duty.

“This was the first place in my life where I truly understood the difference between having a job and having a career," Moss said. "I don’t mind getting up and being the first person here in the morning. I don’t mind being the last person to leave here at night, as long as I know that the community is receiving the quality care that they very much so deserve, and knowing that every patient is treated with dignity and is able to walk out of here after receiving free services, but still having their self-respect, I’m fine.”

In addition to dental care, Harvest House offers many other helpful programs under its branches of ministry, striving to provide the help that is not only immediate, but lasting.

“We do have our baby and children’s ministry, we also have a primary care facility that is there to help fill the gap for anyone that is in between health insurance, and then we are also helping those individuals with their emergency rental assistance program as well," Moss said. "So, we do as much as we can here. It’s less about giving a person a fish and more about teaching the person to fish, but we are here to embrace everyone within the community that has a need.”

To find out more about the services Good Neighbors Health Care offers, click here.