The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry held a special event this July in Omaha, offering free dental care to seven military veterans in a dedicated outreach effort. Dubbed a “veterans’ outreach day,” the initiative was led by Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, and funded through philanthropic support.
“This is a pilot program,” said Dr. Kugel. “We’re starting in Omaha, and ideally, I’d like to see this happen monthly. But we’ll have to evaluate as we go.”
Dr. Kugel partnered with Gregory Bennett, DMD, chair of the Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry and a veteran himself. The two joined local clinic leaders Amir Farhangpour, DDS; Kathleen O’Brien-Ausman, DDS; and Jay Hansen, DDS. Dental residents also participated, working under the guidance of faculty members Corinne Van Osdale, DDS, and Madelyn Zastrow, DDS.
Among the volunteers was dental resident Cecil Cray, DDS, a Marine Corps veteran who said he chose to study in Nebraska partly because of the college’s strong commitment to serving veterans.
“I thought it was pretty awesome,” Dr. Cray said. “I know how much it means to give back to these veterans.”
One of the clinic’s patients, Dwain Holmes, a Vietnam War Army veteran and longtime chaplain for several veterans’ groups, expressed deep gratitude.
“At the hospital, I get care for my eyes, ears, and heart—but not my teeth,” Holmes said. “So, I’m glad to see a program like this fill in the gap.”
Holmes, who also supports homeless veterans, emphasized that many former service members across Nebraska are in urgent need of dental care. He hopes the UNMC’s outreach expands beyond Omaha in the future.
Air Force veteran Raul Alves, who was treated by Dr. Cray, described the experience as emotional and affirming.
“It felt really good to have a fellow veteran working on me,” Alves said. “Even though we served in different branches, we’re still brothers.”
Alves also revealed that the procedure would dramatically impact his quality of life.
“I grew out my beard because I was ashamed of having no teeth,” he said. “This work is life-changing.”
Both Alves and Holmes agreed to be interviewed in the hope of raising awareness about the college’s mission to support veterans.
“If this can grow and reach more people, that would be great,” Holmes added.
UNMC has previously hosted VETSmile Dental Clinics at its Lincoln location and continues to seek new ways to serve veterans statewide. Though future dates for clinics are not yet confirmed, patients will be identified through partnerships with the Omaha VA, Disabled American Veterans, and other local organizations.
“There is a tremendous need for dental services among Nebraska’s veterans,” said Dr. Kugel. “We are working with partners and the philanthropic community to find sustainable ways to meet that need and provide care for these men and women who have served our country.”
Those interested in supporting the college’s veteran-focused dental programs can contribute to the College of Dentistry’s Veterans’ Clinic Fund. For more information, contact Theresa Brown at the University of Nebraska Foundation via email.
