Comfort Dental in Kalispell is offering a day of free dental care Dec. 23 for those in need. The practice’s three dentists will be providing services on a first-come, first-serve basis from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 2165 U.S. Hwy 2 E., Ste. D.

Comfort Dental, a national dental chain specializing in affordable dentistry, began hosting Care Day in 1984 as a means to give back to the community and expand access to dental services. Last year, Comfort Dental saw 4,000 patients nationwide and gave away $1.4 million in services.

In year’s past, the local branch of Comfort Dental has seen approximately 40 patients for procedures like cleanings, extractions and cavities. Dr. Patrick Hudson said his office won’t perform more lengthy operations such as crowns or dentures in the interest of seeing as many patients as possible. He also noted that dentists donate their time on Care Day to provide much-needed services to the local community.

“We definitely understand that dental care is really expensive and there’s just a lot of people that don’t have insurance,” Hudson said.

Hudson recommended patients arrive at 7:30 a.m. that morning for the best chance of being seen and noted that some choose to line up as early as 7 a.m.

He said the most satisfying part of Care Day is treating issues that may have been bothering a patient for years and relieving them of pain or an unsightly cavity.

“Care Day just becomes a day where they can get something done if it’s been nagging them for a long time, and it’s just a good service we provide,” Hudson said. “We do our best to get everyone seen as quickly as we can.”