Day of Service for Veterans, June 24 – Call To Make An Appointment: 844-ASPEN-HMM
Dentists and teams with Aspen Dental practices are pleased to bring free dental care to veterans nationwide once again on June 24. Nearly 450 Aspen Dental offices in 35 states will open their doors to serve veterans in their local communities as part of the Healthy Mouth Movement, a community giving initiative.
Interested veterans should call 844-ASPEN-HMM to find a participating Aspen Dental office and schedule an appointment in advance. Advance appointments are required.
During appointments on June 24, volunteer dentists and teams will focus on treating the most urgent need of each veteran by providing free services – including fillings, extractions and basic denture repair – to help get them out of dental pain.
Last year, Aspen Dental dentists and teams from Maine to Washington - and hundreds of practices in between - volunteered their time and talents to give back to veterans in their communities on one big Day of Service on Saturday, June 25. As part of the Healthy Mouth Movement, this marked the third annual Day of Service where nearly 400 participating Aspen Dental offices donated more than $2.1 million dollars in dentistry in one single day – empowering more than 4,000 veterans with a healthy smile.
Thousands of stories were shared that day, but one story about Allen Williams, a veteran who has selflessly helped those around him all his life, was particularly moving as the Aspen Dental team in Waterloo, IA surprised him with a healthy and beautiful new smile.
A Marine is supposed to be able to smile and look at themselves in the mirror
Allen Williams serves his family and community every day but was embarrassed to smile—until Aspen offered him and 4000+ vets free dental care. See his story.
What do you get when you combine a 42-foot long bright blue dental office on wheels, a world-famous NASCAR driver, more than 7,000 volunteers, and a whole lot of compassion and generosity?
A very successful community giving initiative called the Healthy Mouth Movement (HMM). Since 2014, more than 12,000 patients have received free dental care through the HMM, that has spanned over 35 states and resulted in more than $7.6 million dollars in free dental care and oral health education to people in need thanks to the generosity of dentists and team members from Aspen Dental offices across the U.S.
What you may not know is that many people who want a healthy mouth struggle to find oral health care when they need it, due to access to dentists nearby, cost, or lack of insurance. Those barriers kept more than 155 million American adults from visiting a dentist in the past year – that is just over half the adult population in the U.S.!
The Healthy Mouth Movement delivers care in two ways. The Aspen Dental MouthMobile, a fully-equipped dental office on wheels, goes directly into communities where care isn’t readily available to provide free services in partnership with local non-profit organizations. In addition, every year hundreds of Aspen Dental practices open their doors on a select Saturday to provide a free day of care.
It’s an initiative that was launched with the support of the most celebrated female racecar driver of all time, Danica Patrick, who has lent her considerable celebrity to help turn up the volume on the conversation about the often-overlooked issue of oral health.
In its inaugural year, the HMM served close to 3,000 patients with the involvement of nearly 2,000 Aspen Dental volunteers. Many of those patients were veterans, a patient population that resonated deeply with the Aspen Dental volunteers because veterans do not receive dental care benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs unless they are 100% disabled or have a service-related injury to their mouths.
In 2015, to further strengthen its commitment to veterans, Aspen Dental partnered with Got Your 6, a collaborative campaign that works to empower veterans and strengthen communities nationwide by uniting veterans’ organizations and engaging civilians to bridge the civilian-military divide. Got Your 6 – meaning “I got your back”– focuses on six key pillars of veteran reintegration, including leadership, health, and education.
Aspen Dental dentists and team members share in this same belief, and have helped shine a spotlight on an important issue, thereby truly making a difference in the lives of many veterans. It’s a commitment that will continue in 2017, as Aspen Dental focuses once again on empowering veterans with a healthy smile.
Where will the MouthMobile be next?
We’re excited to partner with local veterans organizations and continue the MouthMobile tour in the fall. Please check back periodically for updates.
Having an Impact
See the results of turning a mission into a movement.
Between the MouthMobile and our Days of Service, we’ve helped thousands of people. And counting. See the results of turning a mission into a movement. The team from Aspen Dental doesn't just have a mission statement, they live it.
FAQ
Do patients need to make an appointment for the Day of Service?
Yes, advance appointments are required for veterans. Please call 844-ASPEN-HMM to make an appointment in the closest participating Aspen Dental practice in your area.
Why are you doing this?
Nearly 150 million Americans didn’t go to the dentist last year, and millions more live in communities where there is little or no access to care. Aspen Dental has made it their mission to provide much-needed dental care and education to those who need it most.
When will the Aspen Dental practice in my town be having their day of service?
The 2017 Day of Service for veterans will be held on Saturday, June 24. Call 844-ASPEN-HMM now to make an appointment at a participating Aspen Dental practice near you.
What is the Aspen Dental MouthMobile?
The Aspen Dental MouthMobile is a fully-equipped dental office on wheels, which travels directly into places where care isn’t available to provide free service and raise awareness on the importance of oral health. It has two fully-functioning treatment rooms as well as a digital X-ray unit and denture repair lab.
What kind of service will veterans be able to get?
In the spirit of helping as many veterans as possible, dentists are focused on treating the most urgent dental need of each patient by providing a dental service such as a filling, extraction or denture repair.
The first priority is to get patients out of pain, make them aware of what other dental needs they have, and connect them with free or low-cost resources in their community that will help them continue to address their dental care needs.
What about dental needs after that day?
The first priority is to get patients out of pain, make them aware of what other dental needs they have and connect them with free or low-cost resources in their community that will help them continue to address their dental care needs.
Where does the MouthMobile travel to?
Aspen Dental MouthMobile tour will continue to travel coast to coast.
Do patients need insurance/payment?
No. Aspen Dental team members are volunteering their time and talents – no payment will be accepted.
Will patients be required to prove that they are unable to afford care?
No. Patients will not be charged for any services, nor will they be asked to show any proof of income or need.
Is the MouthMobile wheelchair accessible?
Yes.