Rebuilding Lives: Wrongfully Convicted Man Receives Life-Changing Dental Care
After 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Ralph Earnest is trying to rebuild his life, and thanks to the generosity of one West Valley dental group, he is getting the help he needs.
In 1982, Earnest was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit and sentenced to life in prison. It took until 2006 for his convictions to be overturned, after spending over two decades behind bars.
Released in 2006, Earnest faced the challenge of starting over without any monetary compensation for the years he lost. Determined to reshape his life, he embarked on a journey that included comprehensive dental treatment.
At Sundance Dental Group in Buckeye, Earnest received life-changing dental care at no cost through the Smile Generation Serve Day initiative. Dr. Don Parker, a dentist at the clinic, explained that the program offers free services to individuals in need, helping to improve their overall health and well-being.
According to Dr. Parker, the mouth is intricately connected to the body’s overall health, making dental care a crucial part of maintaining well-being. Earnest’s story is just one of many success stories resulting from this initiative.
Smile Generation partnered with After Innocence, an organization supporting wrongfully convicted individuals, to make Serve Day possible. The event provides essential care to those who otherwise may not have access to it, addressing healthcare disparities and offering vital support to vulnerable Arizonans.
Since 2011, Smile Generation Serve Day has provided over $57 million in donated care to more than 27,000 patients, making a significant impact on the community.
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