Giana Gergoire miraculously survived the brain cancer she was diagnosed with in 2010, but the disease took a toll on her dental health.
The 12-year-old suffered from tooth decay, cavities, gaps and discoloring. But her family didn't have enough money to pay for her dental treatment. And
Gergoire, having missed a year of school due to her illness, desperately wanted a new smile to accompany her renewed lease on life.
Then Dr. Lee Gause, a dentist with Smile Design in Manhattan, showed up at her door and offered to do all her dental work for free.
He had asked his followers on Facebook to identify someone in need of a healthy smile for the holidays. And he found Gergoire.
"I am really grateful and thankful for that and I really appreciate it," she said.
Shortly thereafter, Gergoire found herself sitting in the dental chair for the first time. After more than an hour, Gause held up a mirror so Gergoire could see the finished product.
"At first I was scared but then I was happy because I finally got my teeth whitened and cavities fixed," she said.
Gause said it would take some time before the work he intends to do on Gergoire is completely finished, but she's off to a great start.
He estimated the pro bono job would involve about $10,000 in dental work when its completed.
