Dental professionals give back to veterans during SmileCon 2025
Give Veterans A Smile Pack and Give Back event assembles 500 health kits
Dental professionals from around the country came together Oct. 23 during SmileCon 2025 to assemble 500 health and comfort kids for underserved veterans in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Social Impact Hub in Dental Central filled up as volunteers packed ADA Foundation kits with oral health supplies during the Give Veterans A Smile Pack and Give Back event in D.C. The event was hosted by the ADA Foundation, the charitable arm of the ADA, in partnership with the Disabled Veterans National Foundation and sponsored by Henry Schein Cares, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, and the Alliance of the ADA.
ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., told the crowd that the event makes a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served the country.
“By packing these health and comfort kits we are providing essential items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinse and floss, and more importantly, we’re delivering a message of care and appreciation,” Dr. Kessler said.
Complete with oral health education materials, the kits will be distributed to veterans at a resource fair on Nov. 10.
Give Veterans A Smile, which launched in 2024, encourages dentists to provide pro bono oral health care to underserved veterans and help them find a dental home. Maria Maranga, D.D.S., chair of the program, said the program exists because many veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs health care system are ineligible for VA health benefits. The ultimate goal is to fill in the gap until every veteran receives dental benefits, she said.
“We’re here to make a small impact. City by city, town by town, and state by state. We won’t rest until we get them covered,” Dr. Maranga said.
Dr. Kessler concluded by calling for a celebration of the spirit of giving and the power of community before a formal ribbon cutting.
“I hope this initiative is seen as more than an act of kindness. I hope that it’s seen as a testament to our commitment to supporting our veterans’ well-being. It’s a reminder that we’re all part of a larger community that values and honors the sacrifices made by our service members,” he said.
