Saleema Reeves and Sarah Ting will open Dentistry on Musselburgh on Saturday, September 18, and waive their usual $100 to $200 fees in exchange for an equivalent donation to a Pakistan flood appeal.
The pair said they hoped to raise up to $4000 towards the appeal, which has been organised by Caritas New Zealand to provide emergency relief and supply safe drinking water to affected regions in Pakistan.
"As a health professional, I felt paralysed when the floods happened. I felt there was not much I could do as a dentist going over there, but raising money by utilising my skills as a dentist to raise funds is a small thing I can do," Dr Ting said this week.
"You think about the people in Pakistan, or in any tragedy, and you want to give $20 or $50 or $100. But, I thought 'What else can I do? How can I give even more?' I had thought of a good old bake sale, but I think I'm a better dentist than I am a baker."
Ms Reeves said she thought Dr Ting's idea "was just fantastic".
"People often don't like paying dentists money and this is a nice way for people who would like to donate something, but get something for it as well, and still have a nice feeling.
"That, for me, is very cool."
The dentists would be offering services from dental checkups and X-rays to teeth cleaning, she said.
"All the team here are really keen to do it and we want to put as many people through as we can. It's purely a fundraising effort and we won't be taking future appointments on the day or anything like that. All the money will be going to help the flood victims."
Dentistry on Musselburgh would donate all materials, X-ray films and equipment, while staff had freely volunteered their time, Ms Reeves said.
Caritas New Zealand donation envelopes would also be available if anyone wanted to stop by and contribute.
The fundraising appeal will be held from 8.30am till 5pm on Saturday, September 18, at Dentistry on Musselburgh, at 84 Musselburgh Rise.
Bookings are essential and can be made on (03) 455-0621.
