Sharing smiles

Editorial

Max Lieberman dealt in smiles.

The Chicago dentist who retired to Phoenix, and then began a second career directing the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's free dental clinic, improved the smiles of thousands of patients who sat in his dental chair. He cleaned, filled and replaced teeth free of charge, sending his patients out, well, smiling.

Lieberman, who died June 17 at age 97, is remembered fondly by his colleagues at the society. They recall how he scrounged for every piece of equipment to outfit the clinic, subsidizing it out-of-pocket and pressing friends and relatives to do the same. In more recent years, while no longer able to practice, he glowed with pride at mention of the services offered at the society's Dan O'Meara Center, where a full-time pediatric dentist and 25 part-time, volunteer adult-care dentists now treat more than 4,000 patients per year.

It's enough to make you smile. And to think. For there is a message in this dentist's dedication to those less fortunate, in his commitment to share his skills unselfishly in the service of humankind, without regard for race, religion, age or ability to pay. It's about tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Because while Lieberman worked hard to fix smiles, to make his patients feel better and look better, he was, through his kindness, also repairing the world. To many who walked through the clinic's doors, down and out, having little, making do with even less, Lieberman's compassionate care transformed reality, reminding them that goodness can and does exist, that sometimes the world is a kind place to live.

Charity is one of the three essentials of the world, along with Torah and worship, wrote the rabbis in Pirke Avot. When we act lovingly and kindly, we recognize our responsibility to have a positive impact on the world.

Lieberman learned this lesson well. He brought love to the world, relieving heartache as he relieved toothache, helping people feel better physically and better about themselves - all because a kindly dentist cared enough to make them smile.

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