Inspired by a local veteran’s story of being blown up in Iraq, an Issaquah dentist pulled together 30 colleagues to help serve injured veterans in the area.

“I hear about the soldiers who are wounded, who come back and just have such a hard time,” said Dr. Theresa Cheng, a periodontist. “My heart just goes out to them and their families.”

Cheng opened her practice to provide free checkups, cleanings and periodontist work for combat veterans and their family members Nov. 20.

For those who needed fillings, she referred them to one of 30 dentists who volunteered their services. About 27 people attended the event.

Costco also put together gift baskets for the veterans who attended, and PCC presented coupons for a complete Thanksgiving dinner.

“It’s very heart warming that so many businesses want to help the veterans,” Cheng said.

Cheng first heard about Rory Dunn’s story in the newspaper about three years ago. She decided to turn a yearly day of community service for her employees into a dental care event.

After being injured, Dunn spent over a year in Washington, D.C., recovering from wounds. No one thought he would survive.

Cheng decided to open it up to family members as well, thinking about the mother that spent a year by his side.

She went to the Veteran Affair’s office, where they referred vets to her event.

“They told me most vets don’t have dental coverage after their discharged,” Cheng said. “I feel like this could expand to be a great community thing.”