Illinois Dentists Provide Veteran Care Statewide in November

SPRINGFIELD – Dozens of Illinois dentists are showing veterans they care about their smiles in November by providing free treatment throughout the month.

Members of the Illinois State Dental Society statewide are opening their offices to free veteran care in November as part of the Illinois Dentists Salute initiative. Illinois veterans are eligible to receive no-cost treatment at participating dental offices, where the dentist determines priority treatment for the veteran patient.

Military veterans have made a great sacrifice for our freedom but often struggle with health and other problems when they return from duty. Neglected dental care needs cause extreme pain, difficulty eating and infections that can spread from the mouth into the bloodstream and create even more serious concerns.

The problem is most veterans return home and realize they do not qualify for government-provided dental coverage unless they are 100 percent disabled, a POW, or their dental issue is tied directly to their military service. Veterans Day in November provides Illinois dentists a fitting way to give back and show veterans they care.

About 30 dentists are participating in this year’s effort from Chicago and its nearby suburbs down to southern Illinois, including in this area. For a full list of participating dentists and their locations, and for more information on the Illinois Dentists Salute program, visit the ISDS website here: https://www.isds.org/advocacy/access-to-care/illinois-dentists-salute/.

Veterans also will receive free comprehensive dental care (exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions) at the SIU School of Dental Medicine ahead of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 10. Learn more here: https://www.siue.edu/dental/about/veterans-dental-care-day.shtml

Illinois Dentists Salute continues a tradition of giving from ISDS members. More than $1 million in care was provided to more than 1,000 patients in need in late July in Rockford as part of the ISDS Foundation’s biennial Mission of Mercy charitable care event.