ProDirect Dental Laboratory owners Eric Chang and Franny Yuan are motivated by the human side of dentistry. Through their newfound partnership with Zufall Health, they’ve found a way to turn that passion into action. 

ProDirect specializes in the highly technical fabrication of dentures, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances. Their clients are dentists and dental offices, and for years, Chang and Yuan’s work felt too far removed from the patients they were ultimately helping. 

The turning point came when a FedEx worker named Cliff, who regularly delivered to their lab, shared that he couldn’t afford the dentures he needed. Chang and Yuan decided to make them for him at no cost. When Cliff received them, he cried tears of joy. 

“From our perspective, the patient was always just a model, a replica,” said Chang. “With Cliff, we saw, for the first time, how our product could change someone’s life. 

This eye-opening experience drove Chang and Yuan to find more ways to give back, eventually leading them to Zufall. Their first in-kind donation to the health center was at the 2024 Smiles for Our Heroes event, Zufall’s day of free dental care for low-income veterans offered in partnership with Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation.  

“ProDirect generously fabricated dentures and crowns at no cost for veterans who hadn’t been able to smile or chew properly in years,” said Zufall’s SVP of Dental Services, Jade Duncan, DDS, MEd, MBA. “This was a savings of tens of thousands of dollars for our patients.” 

“They protected our country. The least we can do is help them live comfortably,” Yuan said. 

Demand for dentures is growing, but fewer labs are doing the work, Yuan notes. It’s labor-intensive and low-margin, and many have moved away from it. ProDirect remains committed to this type of care, especially to those with the fewest options. The lab will again donate services to this year’s Smiles for Our Heroes event on June 21. 

After attending the 2024 Be Well Benefit honoring Dr. Bob and Kay Zufall last October, Chang and Yuan were deeply inspired by the couple’s legacy. 

“We hope someday we can be just like them, in our own retirement,” said Chang. “We’re so honored to help bring smiles back to those in need and look forward to growing our partnership with Zufall.” 

Above: Most veterans aren’t eligible for dental coverage through the VA, leaving many with low incomes unable to get the care they need. Thanks to ProDirect and other sponsors, patients like Barry, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, received life-changing opportunities to restore their health at Smiles for Our Heroes.