Dr. Simon Garza
In practice for more than 37 years, Dr. Simon Garza started his career in the small town of Yoakum, Texas, but moved to Austin in 1990 where he has practiced ever since. Charitable dentistry is something he embraced early in his career helping families from his church access dental care when money was tight. Today, Dr. Garza is one of the Capital Area Dental Foundation’s most dedicated volunteer dental providers, treating patients with emergency dental needs through the St. Vincent de Paul program and low-income musicians through our partnership with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and the St. David’s Foundation.
“It’s a good feeling to give something away and not expect anything in return,” said Dr. Garza. “We all go into health care for altruistic reasons. Sometimes we get paid for it. Sometimes we don’t.”
Dr. Garza is a deacon at his church and has participated in several dental mission trips abroad to places like Mexico and Guatemala. “We’ve been blessed and I try hard to help people,” Dr. Garza said. “It’s very gratifying to have the skills to help someone in pain.”
The Capital Area Dental Foundation coordinates six different charitable care programs and is actively recruiting new dentists to treat patients in need. Paperwork is minimal and some programs provide reimbursement.
“What CADF is doing is so helpful, not only for the patients who need care, but for dentists who want to volunteer. By the time a patient gets to my office, he or she has been completed screened. I know this person needs help.” Dr. Simon Garza, CADF Volunteer of Quarter
