Extractions, teeth cleanings, screenings and – yes, lots of smiles – were the order of the day on Nov. 7 at the MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine’s first Give Veterans A Smile Day.
More than 40 local veterans had scheduled appointments for the free daylong clinic for veterans in need of dental services.
CODM staff members said the event, held in the college’s clinical building on Bee Street, in partnership with the American Dental Association, was “absolutely a success.”
“It was successful for everyone involved,” said Joseph Gambacorta, D.D.S., professor and associate dean of clinical affairs at the CODM. “I want to stress what a team effort this was. It speaks volumes when faculty, staff, residents and students rally around a common goal, and that’s what happened with this event.”
In this case, the goal was to provide basic dental services to veterans not covered through a Veterans Administration dental plan and connect them to a dental home.
“Affordability and accessibility can be challenging,” said Emily Groce, MUSC Health executive director for dental health. “We wanted to get veterans in the door, assess their dental health, create a treatment plan, offer affordable dental care options and help them get established with MUSC.”
And while a visit to the dentist doesn’t always bring a smile, these veterans left with smiles, thanks to the care and attention of the college’s treatment team, which comprised third-and fourth-year dental students, advanced general dentistry residents and faculty dentists.
For David Lafayette, a U.S. Marine veteran who came in for a cleaning and a polish, the service “was great.”
“They took good care of me,” he said. “It was very relaxing, and I nearly took a nap.”
Esther Morales, a U.S. Marine veteran, said her service “was wonderful.”
Andre Singleton, another veteran Marine, said his flossing wasn’t getting the job done. “They knocked out the plaque, and everything just feels a little bit smoother,” he said.
Gambacorta, who has spearheaded outreach missions locally, nationally and internationally for two decades, said patients weren’t the only ones who benefited from the day.
“The beauty of this event is that students and residents experienced the importance of giving back. As dentists, we have much to offer our community, particularly marginalized populations. Being able to use that gift for those in need is an important lesson. One of our patients thanked us for stopping the pain and hearing that expression of gratitude was powerful.”
Over the past two years, a record number of CODM graduates have entered the military. For students to talk with the veterans and hear their experiences firsthand was another valuable learning experience, Groce said.
Gambacorta is no stranger to the Give Veterans A Smile initiative. He participated in one of the nation’s first such events in 2014 while at the University of Buffalo.
Last year, impressed by the success of the college’s "Give Kids a Smile Day," he set out to mobilize a team and replicate the program for veterans in need. “Unless you’re 100% disabled, it’s nearly impossible to get benefits from the VA,” he said. “We wanted to provide a parallel program for veterans where they can receive care at a much more affordable rate.”
MUSC staff promoted the program through departments at the VA Health Center as well as with veterans’ organizations and on social media.
Gambacorta said the clinic has already scheduled numerous follow-up appointments and is already planning next year’s event, which, he said, will be even bigger.
“Part of the college’s strategic plan is to enhance and increase community outreach, and serving our veterans is one meaningful way to do so.”
