Cizik School of Nursing, UTHealth School of Dentistry give veterans a smile

Representatives from UTHealth are among those who greeted veterans arriving for “Give Vets a Smile” Day on Nov. 8 at UTHealth School of Dentistry. (Photo by Dwight C. Andrews/UTHealth)

On Friday, Nov. 8, volunteers from UTHealth School of Dentistry and Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth gave back to a 26-year-old former Marine corporal by providing him with a no-cost dental checkup. He was one of about 100 United States military veterans invited to receive free urgent, palliative, therapeutic, and/or preventive dental care during the fifth “Give Vets a Smile” event at UTHealth School of Dentistry.

A dental resident, dental student, and/or dental hygiene student saw each of the veterans who were invited to participate. The vets could qualify for additional treatment, if needed, thanks to a grant provided by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.

The free dental care was by invitation only.

“We’re providing urgent/palliative and therapeutic dental care to veterans affiliated with invited organizations in the Greater Houston Area,” said Margo Melchor, RDH, MEd, EdD, associate professor and director of community outreach at UTHealth School of Dentistry. “This event is an annual opportunity to help those uninsured veterans in need of pain relief.”

The dental services began with the veterans being assessed and triaged by nursing students of Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth and faculty members from UTHealth School of Dentistry.

“This event focuses on providing dental care to 100 homeless and at-risk veterans, an initiative was started five years ago after my students and I noted the great need for dental care among veterans, and it has grown every year,” said Bridgette R. Pullis, PhD, RN, associate professor and director of the Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (VBSN) at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. “The nursing school is responsible for identifying and registering veterans for the event, and our students volunteer to take vital signs and help the veterans during the day.”

Many dental students also volunteered, including many who are veterans themselves.

The sponsor for the event was Delta Dental Community Cares Foundation. The veterans in need were identified by Easter Seals Greater Houston, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Women Veteran Services, The Salvation Army, Harris County Precinct 2 Veterans Services, U.S. Vets, Goodwill Women’s Veteran Program, and Combined Arms.

Before the event, John Valenza, DDS, dean of UTHealth School of Dentistry offered greetings, along with several area elected officials.