Dr. Mabe and his wife Yvette are using their gifts for good.
While most days you will find them making beautiful smiles at Naples Family Dentist, it’s likely they are also laying the groundwork for their next mission to Central America or packing up the tools of their trade to provide free dental services at a Naples homeless shelters.
“I first connected with a local church in 1990 who had a team of doctors, nurses and pharmacists who had relationships with health authorities and missionaries in Central America,” says Dr. Mabe. “From there we set up relationships with ministries in the Dominican Republic, on the northern coast near Puerto Plata, specifically Dominican Advance, a school for children elementary through high school with two locations.”
They also provided dental services for an orphanage for boys aged 12-18 called Ninos de la Luz. “The boys are taught life skills, career skills in construction, computer IT and customer service so that once they leave the orphanage they have a high school education and a skill to take into the workforce,” Dr. Mabe explains. He, Yvette and a small team of volunteers including their two daughters and office staff were welcomed and given space for them to set up equipment to see patients for several days. “It is a rewarding time for all of us and it allows us an opportunity to build relationships and provide care for children who may not have access to dental care where they live,” he says. They have also provided dentistry for a school called Nest of Love which was started by a local family in Sousa, Dominican Republic. Through sponsorship and giving, these children receive uniforms, lunch, healthcare and an education from kindergarten all the way through high school.
Domestically and locally, they have cared for unwed mothers through local churches and pregnancy resource centers. Last summer they joined a church in Naples who had a local mission outreach called, Love Naples. “We were blessed to get connected with a women’s shelter here in Naples where we provided emergency dental care and professional cleanings and examinations to the women and children staying in the shelter,” says Yvette, a Registered Dental Hygienist. “We took our entire staff with us and the church also provided two volunteers from the high school who were interested in dentistry as a career.”
Back in the office, Dr. Mabe offers all aspects of implant, cosmetic and general dentistry. From professional cleanings to braces and clear aligners to tooth whitening, crowns, root canals, fillings, implants and oral surgery Dr. Mabe is well equipped with state of the art technology and the skills necessary to take care of the most minor tooth changes to major smile makeovers.
Their giving has no boundaries. “We are not necessarily affiliated with a specific church for missions. We always focus on sharing the Good News of the Gospel as we share our talents and gifts through dentistry,” says Dr. Mabe. “Our mission trips are typically organized by our office or in conjunction with other ministries on the ground in the countries that we would like to go to.” Paul and Yvette invite anyone in the community who is interested in supporting or joining their next mission trip to contact them. While they don’t have any immediate plans to travel internationally, their work continues here in Naples, both inside and outside their office.