Hundreds of veterans, their spouses, and their surviving families received free dental care at the Nebraska National Guard’s Titan Readiness Center near Utah on September 26th and 27th.
The event, hosted by Nebraska Veterans Mission of Mercy, marked its third anniversary, and the total value of the care provided was estimated to exceed $550,000.
Lt. Governor Joe Kelly, during a visit to the clinic on September 26th, said the office was packed with patients and the atmosphere was impressive.
He also praised the many medical professionals who volunteered during the busy weekend: “Our veterans protect us, and as Nebraskans, we are here to give back.”
Nebraska has approximately 115,000 veterans, but only about 10% meet the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ dental eligibility criteria.
The state Department of Veterans Affairs reports that dental care is one of veterans’ most pressing needs and has provided over $300,000 in emergency dental financial assistance to alleviate the need.
During the event, over 2,500 dental services were performed, including cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, and X-rays.
Participating dentists took digital impressions of patients requiring restorations and sent the data to Dental Designs, where technicians designed and quickly produced dentures using 3D printing.
Dr. Charles F. Craft, Director of the State Dental Hygiene Department, noted that access to quality dental care is a significant challenge for many veterans, especially elderly patients.
He stated that many of the treatments provided at the Veterans Medical Services Annual Meeting (VETMOM) rely on dentures to replace lost teeth, which are essential for normal eating. The ability to obtain dentures within 48 hours reflects the tireless dedication of numerous professional volunteers and partner organizations.
Dr. James Jenkins, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Madison School of Dentistry, said it is an honor to provide dental services to veterans. He hopes his patients will feel the community’s respect for their service and expresses his gratitude for the dedication of all volunteers.
Organizers’ statistics show that over 45% of patients cited cost or lack of dental insurance as a major barrier to seeking care, and over 20% reported traveling 100 miles or more for a doctor’s appointment.
Organizers say such events not only alleviate immediate medical needs but also highlight the long-standing gaps in dental care for veterans.