Summary: The ADA Foundation (ADAF) is launching “Give Veterans A Smile” (GVAS) at SmileCon 2024 to address the unmet oral health needs of veterans. The initiative encourages dentists to offer pro bono services to veterans and helps veterans find long-term dental care, while also collecting data to support advocacy efforts for increased funding and access.
Key Takeaways:
- GVAS provides resources for dentists to offer free oral health services to veterans and aims to improve their access to care.
- The initiative includes national partnerships, fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities to support underserved veterans in need of dental care.
The ADA Foundation (ADAF) will launch Give Veterans A Smile (GVAS), a new initiative to help address veterans’ unmet oral health needs, at SmileCon 2024, October 17-19, during the American Dental Association’s (ADA) annual meeting.
Millions of Veterans Lack Access to Dental Care
According to the Veterans Health Administration, 82% of veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, or about 7.4 million people, are ineligible for dental benefits. To qualify for VA-sponsored dental services, veterans must either have a dental issue that is service-connected or qualify based on narrow criteria.
Give Veterans A Smile will offer step-by-step toolkits and resources to encourage dentists to provide pro bono oral health services to veterans in their dental practices and assist veterans in finding a facility that can become their dental home. GVAS will also collect data to showcase the value of charitable oral health care provided nationally and guide advocacy efforts aimed at increasing funding and access to care for veterans.
“Oral health equity for all is a priority for the ADA Foundation,” said Michele Tulak-Gorecki, DDS, board chair, ADAF. “Veterans are pillars of our communities who have made great sacrifices for our nation, and Give Veterans A Smile aims to better support the millions of veterans in need of dental health services to improve their oral and overall health.”
SmileCon 2024 Activities to Support Veterans
SmileCon 2024 attendees are encouraged to participate in activities to recognize veterans. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the Give Veterans A Smile Pack & Give Back event on October 17, volunteers will pack Health and Comfort Kits—including oral health products—for underserved veterans in the New Orleans area. These kits will be distributed to local veterans in need at the New Orleans VA Medical Center on October 18.
An awareness and fundraising celebration will take place on October 19 at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans with sponsorship from organizations such as the Alliance of the American Dental Association, Colgate, and Henry Schein Cares Foundation. Veteran-themed continuing education sessions will also be offered, providing attendees the chance to hear from notable speakers like State Representative Drew Ferguson and Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David Bellavia.
Seeking Volunteers and Support for Veterans’ Oral Health
Give Veterans A Smile is actively seeking volunteers, sponsors, and donations to help bring oral health care to underserved veterans. Nationwide partners include Dental Lifeline Network, Everyone for Veterans, Veterans Smile Day, and Freedom Day USA.
