06 November 2024

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Harvard Dental Students Lead Effort to Address Veterans’ Oral Health

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More than 45 U.S. military veterans and their spouses came to the Harvard Dental Center in Boston on Saturday, October 19 to receive dental care at Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) annual Give Veterans a Smile (GVAS) event. Now in its fourth year, the student-led event that provides free care to veterans has doubled in attendance since last year and is supported by more than 50 volunteers including Harvard dental students, faculty, and staff. It is part of an effort to address unmet oral health care needs in a population that often lacks dental coverage after their service in the military.

Some veterans traveled from as far as New Hampshire and Cape Cod to see a provider at HSDM, citing a lack of dental insurance coverage or an urgent dental need as the reason for coming into Boston for treatment during the free day of care.

“I wanted to have some gum issues taken care of and I don’t have dental insurance,” said Nuno Barros, an Army veteran who came to GVAS with his family. “This is a way forward to see how bad the damage is and how can we go about fixing it.”

Many veterans do not receive dental benefits from the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. In fact, 82% of veterans enrolled in the VA are ineligible for dental coverage. Eligibility varies based on military service history and disability. During the GVAS event, all veterans were able to receive dental cleanings, x-rays, oral cancer screenings, and referrals for additional treatment as needed.

“Our goal for the event is not only to provide immediate dental care to veterans in need, but also to connect them with long-term dental homes where they can continue receiving essential care,” said Asli Pisano, DMD26, one of the student organizers of the event. “We're proud to have served so many veterans this year, and we are especially pleased that many of them are now returning to Harvard Dental Center for ongoing treatment, ensuring they have access to the comprehensive care they deserve.”

Carolyn Love Scalise, an Air Force veteran and chaplain with the VA, heard about GVAS through the VA, and made it a point to come for her own care. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the ongoing needs of veterans.

Veterans’ oral health care has become an emerging national issue. Recently, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced it would launch a nationwide GVAS initiative. The GVAS program at HSDM has served as a model for other dental schools considering similar programs and was recognized in 2023 with a Dean’s Community Service Award from Harvard Medical School. Student representatives from HSDM have contributed to the ADA’s efforts and have reported on veterans' oral health accessibility.

Caring for veterans was a key motivator for first-year dental student Evie Geier to volunteer with GVAS. She plans to serve in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps when she completes her DMD program.

“It was both an honor and a privilege to help facilitate GVAS in delivering dental care to local veterans. It was incredible to connect with these individuals, hear stories from their time in service, and learn what brought them to Boston,” said Geier. “I look forward to continuing to build these relationships with veterans and the greater Boston area, expanding access to quality dental care.”

Sometimes the barriers to dental care for veterans go deeper than insurance coverage. For Karen DeMita, an Army veteran with six years of service, she had to overcome a fear of the dentist before stepping into the clinic.  

“I usually hate going to the dentist, but this was an amazing experience,” she said. “Thank you for offering this program!”

For the students who volunteer, helping the veterans overcome hurdles to seeking care, is just as fulfilling for them as it is for the veterans.

“My experience at Give Veterans A Smile was incredibly rewarding,” said student organizer Sabrina Del Valle, DMD27. “It was fulfilling to see the immediate impact of our work, both in improving their oral health and making meaningful connections with the veteran community.”

Source: https://hsdm.harvard.edu/