Touro College of Dental Medicine Hosts Eighth Annual Smiles for Veterans Event

Patients were seen on-site and more were scheduled for follow-up visits during the month of November. In all, more than 25 veterans underwent treatment on Veterans Day, and over 100 received care throughout the month.

This year, TCDM was proud to host this event in its new clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico as well as in New York, extending the reach and scope of the services provided. The event continues to be a cornerstone of TCDM’s dedication to community and service, offering year-round discounts to veterans, military personnel, and their families and is Touro's way of thanking our Veterans for their service—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

The celebration drew participation from TCDM’s third- and fourth-year dental students and faculty.  Esteemed speakers in New York included Dr. Mill Etienne, Vice Chancellor for Campus Engagement at New York Medical College and Dr. Marvin A. Fier, Clinical Associate Professor at TCDM; both doctors are veterans themselves.

This year, the event in New York was also attended by four current TCDM students who are headed into the military once they have completed their studies here.

“Being able to offer vital dental care to veterans is a true privilege for our students and faculty,” said Dean Ronnie Myers of Touro College of Dental Medicine. “Our commitment is to provide accessible, high-quality care to members of our community, including those who have sacrificed for our country. Smiles for Veterans is one of our most meaningful initiatives, enabling us to express our gratitude to veterans while actively supporting their health and well-being.”

Many veterans and their family members delay routine dental care and treatment due to financial constraints. TCDM’s Smiles for Veterans campaign is an essential part of helping veterans get back on track with their oral health, offering them critical care in recognition of their sacrifices. For TCDM’s dental students, the event is an invaluable clinical experience that underscores the importance of community service in the role they will play as future dentists.

Army Veteran Peter Hartnett participated in the event this year. “I've been hearing about it for years, and I was not really fond with the dentist I had,” he said.  “I was told to come here, and I did, and I love coming here. [I] get a phenomenal cleaning every time I come here [...] The students are phenomenal; they're nice and slow, they are methodical in what they do. They know what they're doing.”

TCDM remains dedicated to hosting Smiles for Veterans each year and working with community partners to ensure that veterans and their families have ongoing access to high-quality dental care. In addition to free services offered through Smiles for Veterans, Touro Dental Health provides discounted rates to veterans, military personnel, and their families year-round.