MELBOURNE -- A Brevard County dentist is using his practice to help raise money for local charities.

Dr. Lee Sheldon offers his examinations and X-rays free of charge -- as long as his patients donate a minimum of $50 to charity.

Sheldon started the donation campaign four years ago, unsure how it would go over with his patients, but many have really sunken their teeth into the idea.

To date, patients have donated roughly $60,000.

"I just think it's a wonderful idea, and I wish other physicians and dentists would take part in this," said Mauvelene Pyron, a patient of Dr. Sheldon's. "So not only do you get your exam -- and I tell you, it is very, very thorough -- you get a thorough exam, plus you get to be a part of helping the community."

"Originally, we thought that this campaign would end at $25,000, and we'd go back to what we were doing before, but it's developed quite a bit of momentum, and people are expecting it now," Dr. Sheldon said. "Frankly, we like doing it, and we get lots of thank-you notes from the charities who are receiving the benefits, that there is really no reason to go back."

Since the charitable giving campaign has been doing so well , Sheldon said the office has new goal: To reach a donation total of $100,000.

Help Dr. Sheldon's Charitable Giving Campaign

The seven charities supported in this campaign include:

Want to find out more about Dr. Sheldon's Charitable Giving Campaign? Call Dr. Sheldon's public relations manager, Kim, at (321) 259-9980.

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