Save the Date: Smiles for Our Heroes Returns June 15

When Navy Vietnam War Veteran Albert Grazevich received free dentures at Zufall Health, he regained the confidence to smile freely around his friends. Grazevich had lost several teeth—the restoration of which would have cost him thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Similarly, Army Veteran John Boardman was overjoyed when his chipped tooth was expertly bonded by Dr. Antonella Maietta without any financial burden. “He was so excited to show everyone his new smile,” Maietta said of her patient.

Grazevich and Boardman are just two of the hundreds of former military service members whose oral health has been significantly improved through Smiles for Our Heroes (SFOH), an initiative jointly organized by Zufall Health and sponsor, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. Launched in 2017, SFOH provides no-cost dental services to low-income military veterans from all over New Jersey, alongside a variety of other health and community resources.

Jade Duncan, DDS, MEd, Zufall’s Senior Vice President of Dental Services, explains that military veterans face significant barriers to affordable dental care. “Many people are unaware of the dental care gap affecting our veterans, with over 85 percent of VA-insured veterans lacking proper dental coverage. SFOH allows us to address this gap, offering quality care and ensuring follow-up services year-round.”

Following interruptions by COVID-19, SFOH is set to make a triumphant return to its full-scale, pre-pandemic format on Saturday, June 15 at 17 South Warren Street in Dover, NJ. While appointments are required for dental services, the resource fair warmly welcomes walk-ins.

Here’s what attendees can expect:

• Free or low-cost dental services including exams, cleanings, fillings, oral cancer screenings, x-rays, dentures, and extractions
• Live band
• Free breakfast, lunch, and grocery giveaways
• Health education
• Therapy dogs
• Wellness activities
• And much more

There are many ways to join Smiles for Our Heroes!

• Provide clinical volunteer services as a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant
• Provide non-clinical volunteer assistance including setting up and breaking down equipment, greeting and registering patients, and serving food.
• Provide services or resources as a community partner organization
• Receive dental services as a military veteran patient

Stay Informed

Services may be subject to change based on availability and volunteer capacity is limited. Stay updated by following the official event webpage and our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Above: Sen. Anthony Bucco, Sr., Dover Mayor James Dodd, Morris County Sherriff James Gannon, Former Zufall Health President and CEO Eva Turbiner, Dr. Ronald Deblinger of Delta Dental of New Jersey, and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco. Credit: Joe Gigli/NJ Counties Online