Brian Carlsen is proud of the work done by
Dentistry from the Heart, a nonprofit where he served as director for several years.
The Tampa Bay area charity provides free dental care by donor dental professionals to the needy and working poor. Since its inception in 2001, it has helped more than 300,000 people in 350 events worldwide.
Now Carlsen has branched off on his own with the
Omni Foundation, a nonprofit he recently set up to facilitate charitable events. The first event he’s helping organize? A day of free dental care on Friday, Jan. 9, for military veterans at the Hollywood Smile Center in Palm Harbor.
“It’s definitely an area I’m familiar with,” he says. “But as the foundation grows, I won’t be limited to just free dentistry.”
There’s another reason why he’s involved with the event. For his day job – the one that actually pays him a salary – Carlsen is the director of marketing for the Hollywood Smile Center owned by Dr. William Jarmolych.
The dentist is known for his community outreach programs. His practice sponsored Free Care Sundays this past October and November. A staff member suggested this time they focus on veterans.
“They tend to be an underserved sector of our population,” Carlsen says. “Even if they do get benefits, they may have to wait a long time to get an appointment.”
Doors to the dental practice will open at 7:30 a.m. Care will be provided to a guaranteed 75 veterans on a first-come, first-served basis. They may select one of the three treatment options – a free filling, a free extraction or a free cleaning.
Refreshments will be served to keep everyone comfortable during the wait, Carlsen says.
Because the Omni is a registered charity, any events it operates can be considered tax-deductible for the donors. Carlsen will help companies who want to “build their business by giving back” with promotional services and legal protection.
“A paycheck pays the bills. But the foundation is the most meaningful work in my life,” he says. “Because when the day ends, I can say I did something right that will make a difference.”
The Hollywood Smile Center is at 2702 Tampa Road, just east of U.S. 19. For more information about the free dental day for veterans, call (727) 781-2424.
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