Smiles for Freedom will celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Friday, May 16, at Sala Family Dentistry in Reno, NV, offering free dental services to local veterans. The event continues the organization’s mission to provide essential dental care at no cost to honor those who have served.
The 10th Annual Smiles for Freedom Event will be held at Sala Family Dentistry, located at 4875 Summit Ridge Drive. The day will begin with a flag-raising ceremony and the National Anthem, scheduled for 7:30 a.m., which is open to the public.
Dental services will be available by appointment, starting at 8:00 a.m. and concluding around 3:00 p.m.
Founded in 2015 by Registered Dental Hygienist Kandice Simpkins, the nonprofit initiative began at Sala Family Dentistry in Reno. Since then, the program has expanded nationwide, with dental offices in 16 states participating. Through these efforts, the program has provided over $3.6 million in free dental services to veterans.
Sala Family Dentistry has contributed nearly $990,000 in free dental care through Smiles for Freedom and expects to surpass the $1 million mark during this year’s anniversary event.
“We are deeply honored to support our veterans in this way,” said the team at Sala Family Dentistry. “This milestone isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the lives we’ve impacted and our gratitude for those who’ve served.”
The event is supported by local organizations such as Nevada Athletics, Renown Health, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 989.
Smiles for Freedom was created in response to the fact that fewer than ten percent of veterans qualify for dental care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The program aims to help bridge this gap by encouraging dental offices to donate their time, resources, and services.