Boston — For every assist recorded this season by Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser and his teammates, Delta Dental of Massachusetts will donate $25—up to $50,000—to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s (TUSDM) Cares for Veterans program.
Launched on October 22, the initiative is part of the Delta Dental Veterans Assist campaign, in partnership with 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Boston Celtics Radio Network.
“This generous support will help TUSDM Cares for Veterans connect veterans in need of dental care with providers offering services at minimal or no cost,” said Kathryn Dolan, assistant professor of public health and community service and faculty lead of the program.
The TUSDM Cares for Veterans program began in 2019, founded by Brent Mullen, D20, and Keith Nguyen, D20, both Iraq War combat veterans and dental students.
Initially named Service with a Smile, the program now serves hundreds of veterans and requires dental students to provide care as part of their curriculum.
“When we volunteered at the New England Center and Home for Veterans, we saw how many had no access to dental care,” said Mullen. “We wanted to use our skills to make a difference.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused the program, its impact has grown significantly. Mullen, a former Army dentist now at Tulip Tree Family Health Care in Indiana, highlighted the life-changing effects of dental care for veterans.
“A $50,000 gift can transform lives—restoring confidence, enabling employment, and allowing students to gain invaluable experience,” he said.
Dental care is among the top unmet needs for homeless veterans, alongside housing and childcare, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Common issues, such as pain and missing teeth, often impede employment. Research shows veterans receiving dental care are more likely to complete housing programs and achieve financial stability.
Heather Stickler, D26, co-president of TUSDM’s Health Professions Scholarship Program and an Army reservist, emphasized the program’s dual benefit. “We’re learning dentistry while giving back to veterans. Treating someone who hasn’t had dental benefits for years is incredibly meaningful.”
The program offers comprehensive dental services, including exams, cleanings, x-rays, restorative work, root canals, dentures, and implants at Tufts’ Boston clinics.
Army veteran Brad Stephens, who served in Vietnam, praised the program. “Without it, I couldn’t afford care. Receiving treatment here is tremendous,” he said. Stephens’ decades-long dental issues, including old implants, are now being addressed with modern procedures.
Erik Montlack, president of Delta Dental of Massachusetts, called the campaign a powerful example of collaboration. “Supporting the Veterans Assist program restores dignity and health to veterans, especially those who’ve faced homelessness.”
Hauser, a lifelong Boston player, expressed pride in the initiative. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much. Being part of something that helps them get care and support is truly special.”