Zufall Health and Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Support Veterans’ Smiles

Zufall Health and Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) Foundation recently partnered to host “Smiles for Our Heroes,” a day-long event that provided no-cost dental services to 70 veterans from across New Jersey. Held on sunny Saturday June 15, the festivities marked the return of the event in this format after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edward Miuccio, a 36-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, was among those who benefited. “I’ve waited so long to find this type of care,” said Miuccio, who received a dental cleaning, x-rays, and two tooth extractions. “I’m very grateful to have been connected to Zufall and to be here today.”

“My health is important, and I want to be here for my son,” said 36-year-old Zufall patient Edward Miuccio, who was thrilled to receive long-awaited dental care during Father’s Day weekend.

“Many people don’t realize that most veterans can’t get dental services through the VA, except for those with 100 percent service-related injuries,” said Fran Palm, MPA, President and CEO of Zufall Health. “This event, along with year-round follow-up care, helps veterans overcome barriers to access the dental care they need and deserve.”

Beyond dental care, attendees enjoyed a variety of services and activities, including nutrition education, arts and crafts, chair yoga, blood pressure checks, COVID-19 vaccinations, therapy dogs, a patriotic ceremony with performances by the Denville String Band, and a barbecue lunch.

During the ceremony, Lisa Gallucci, DMD, D.ABDSM, Chair of DDNJ Foundation, credited the event’s creation to her predecessor, Gene Napoliello, DDS. “Sadly, we lost Dr. Gene two years ago. Today, his legacy lives on through this event and all the work Zufall Health does to support access to dental care for our nation’s heroes,” Gallucci said.

Palm called for a moment of silence to pay tribute to both Napoliello and Robert Zufall, MD, co-founder of Zufall Health and a military veteran who passed away in March.

Other notable speakers included Town of Dover Mayor James Dodd, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco (NJ-25), who read a proclamation from NJ Governor Phil Murphy, and Military and Veterans Liaison for Senator Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) Willy Tolba. Town of Dover Council Member Michael Scarneo was also present.

Smiles for Our Heroes included a ceremony with remarks by Town of Dover Mayor James Dodd (second from left); Military and Veterans Liaison for Senator Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) Willy Tolba (third from left); Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco (NJ-25) (center), who read a proclamation from NJ Governor Phil Murphy with Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (NJ-25) (second from right); Zufall President and CEO Fran Palm (third from right); Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Chair Lisa Gallucci, DMD and D.ABDSM. Town of Dover Council Member Michael Scarneo (far left) was also present. Credit: Hal Brown.

In addition to lead sponsor Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Smiles for Our Heroes was generously supported by BD, Benco Dental, Brio Benefit Consulting, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Day Pitney LLP, Eastern Janitorial Service, Fingerpaint, Fulton Bank, Henry O. Baker Insurance, iTero, Henry Schein, Horizon BCBS, LabCorp, Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Mandelbaum Salsburg Charitable Foundation, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, PRODIRECT Dental Laboratory, Provident Bank, Riker Danzig LLP, and Valley Bank.

Above: Veteran patient Michael Moore beams with joy after his procedure with Zufall dentist Antonella Maietta, DMD.