robert.haegerA Washington state orthodontist has found way to give back to his community using his professional skills. Robert Haeger, DDS, of Kent, Wash, is rewarding four local teens for their community service by giving them free orthodontic treatment. All the teens come from low-income families in the area.

The teens were selected through the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation. They will have braces for at least 2 years in return for 40 hours of community service.

In an interview with local new station, KING5, Haeger estimated the cost of treatment at about $6,500 per teen. He hopes to provide treatment to additional patients this year if he can raise community support and donations.

“Our thought is this will change lives in a big way. A new smile can open up new doors for kids,” Haeger told KING5. “It’s what we call it pay it forward. This is our way of giving back.”