Touro College of Dentistry students welcomed veterans to the school’s 6th annual Smiles for Veterans event on Nov. 14.
Third- and fourth-year dental school students and TCDM faculty gathered at the clinic along with local elected officials, including New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, military veterans, and their families. More than 20 veterans are scheduled for the event, including special guests who served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and are past presidents of the Dental Health Plan and Hospital Dental Council of the New York State Dental Association; Former Director of the State Dental Foundation.
“This year, our School of Dentistry students and faculty were able to provide free care to more than 60 veterans and their families, and we are honored to do so,” said TCDM Dean Lonnie Myers. Ta. “I am so proud that our institution continues to move beyond one of our most important goals: providing accessible, high-quality care to the groups and communities that need it most. With our annual Smile for Veterans event, we are successfully achieving that goal and you can see the impact it has on our community.”
Many veterans and their families put off routine dental visits and necessary treatments due to financial burdens. TCDM’s Smiles for Veterans program recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans to our country and communities, and provides them with the opportunity to get back on track with comprehensive oral health care. Additionally, this event is an expected milestone in each dental student’s clinical experience and, for TCDM, inculcates the importance of community service in future dentists who will one day have the opportunity to serve their communities. It was also an opportunity.
“I am proud to work with Touro School of Dentistry to champion the health of veterans and help close disparities in health care access,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “TCDM’s Smiles for Veterans Initiative reflects the compassion and dedication needed to address health care disparities while supporting those who have sacrificed so much for our country. I commend their unwavering dedication to the veteran community and congratulate TCDM for making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans.”
TCDM looks forward to continuing to host Smiles for Veterans and working with our community partners again to ensure veterans and their families receive the important dental care they deserve. In addition to the free dental services provided each year through TCDM’s Smiles for Veterans program, Touro Dental Health offers special rates on an ongoing basis to veterans, military personnel, and their spouses.