The ADA Foundation’s Give Veterans A Smile program will launch nationally at SmileCon, and attendees will have a number of events and continuing education opportunities to learn more about providing services to those who have served.
ADA and ADA Foundation leaders and presenters will call attention to the unmet oral health needs of veterans by encouraging dentists to provide pro bono oral health care services to underserved veterans and providing resources to support those efforts. SmileCon will be held in New Orleans from Oct. 17-19.
“I am proud to be a part of the Give Veterans A Smile program,” said Mark A. Vitale, D.M.D., chairperson of the Give Veterans A Smile National Advisory Committee. “Each time I look at the Bronze Star that my father received for his service in the Army during the Korean War, it reminds me of the great opportunity dentists and their team members have to give back to those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom.”
The ADA Foundation’s Give Veterans A Smile celebration, an awareness and fundraising event, will be held Oct. 19 at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The event is scheduled for 6-8 p.m., and tickets cost $150 ($75 for students). Attendees will hear inspiring messages, including one from Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, Medal of Honor recipient. The ticket includes food, beverages and entertainment, and any funds raised over the cost of the event will be used to support efforts to connect veterans to oral health care. Business dress is requested, and attendees are invited to wear their service dress uniform, if applicable. Event tickets can be purchased in the SmileCon registration system.