Dr. Kelley Ryals (center), who led the event, and PDS Foundation Executive Director Michael Le (left) with the team at Santa Fe Modern Dentistry during the Give Vets a Smile event, which provided $73,451 in donated care to veterans. Image and caption courtesy of the PDS Foundation.
The November 9 Veterans Day of service event sponsored by the Pacific Dental Services (PDS) Foundation in partnership with three dental practices provided over $73,000 in dental care to 21 veterans in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM.
The day of service was held in conjunction with the ADA Foundation's nationwide Give Vets a Smile campaign that seeks to expand oral healthcare services to veterans of the U.S. armed forces. In addition to receiving dental care, veterans were provided with connections to mental health resources, job opportunities, and training programs while they awaited treatment.
It is estimated that 85% of veterans are ineligible for dental coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Only those with a service-connected dental disability, former prisoners of war, or those with a 100% disability qualify for VA dental services.
