Hundreds of people in Pasco County got new smiles on Friday in New Port Richey.

Dentistry from the Heart, a nonprofit event started 15 years ago by Dr. Vincent Monticciolo, helps people get dental care for free. The event has spread around the country and the world, where other dentists give free cleanings, fillings and extractions.

“We're doing over 300 events a year,” Monticciolo said. “So we're averaging almost one a day somewhere around the world."

People in the Tampa Bay area had been waiting all year for this Friday.

"I came prepared. I'm a pro at this, basically,” patient Judy Berens said. “I've been doing it 14 years."

Berens camped out since 7:30 Thursday morning.

“We had sun, then we had pouring down rain, now we've got the wind and the cold," said Berens early Friday morning. But she said it was worth it.

Berens, along with about 108 million people in the United States, don’t have dental insurance, so getting care for free can be a life saver.

“It makes me want to cry," said Sherry Skinner, another patient. She came to get a tooth pulled.

“It's so nice to have somebody take a little pressure of your pocket book, you know," Skinner said.

Fifteen dentists, 10 hygienists and 100 volunteers worked around the clock giving a free cleaning, filling or extraction.

So far, the nonprofit has been able to help nearly half a million people with their smiles.

“I feel great,” said patient Barb Kilfian. “I was just so happy that I could come."