--- title: "How veterans can receive free dental care during a Day of Service" date: "2026-08-31" modified: "2026-08-31" authors: - name: "Stephen Ruiz" job_title: "Editor, Writer" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/stephen/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/veterans/how-veterans-can-receive-free-dental-care-during-a-day-of-service/" categories: - "Benefits" - "Veterans" tags: - "Benefits" - "Veterans" --- # How veterans can receive free dental care during a Day of Service ![Aspen Dental Day of Service]() *Army veteran Jose Vazquez received a full set of upper dentures, among other dental work, in 2025. (Photo courtesy of Jose Vazquez)* For a long time, U.S. [Army]() veteran Jose Vasquez endured his dental issues with a soldier’s mentality. Vasquez experienced tinnitus while serving from 1991 to 1995, but his oral health didn’t begin to decline until after he left the military, he told We Are The Mighty recently. Vasquez managed his pain around his busy schedule. Sometimes, that meant taking an ibuprofen or two. Other times, Vasquez simply tolerated the discomfort. “I thought I was a tough guy, and this was going to go away,” Vasquez said to WATM. **Also Read:** [**Expert attorneys created a free estate planning guide for active duty and veterans**]() Even tough guys need help occasionally, and the 52-year-old Vasquez reached that point last year. Desperate for relief, Vasquez contacted an Aspen Dental office in Jacksonville, Florida. Over a period of several months, the dental team there treated Vasquez. He received a full set of upper dentures, underwent root canals, and got his gums treated, Vasquez said. When the dental staff was done, Vasquez walked out with a bright new smile—and, in many ways, as a new man. ### What Is the Day of Service? ![Aspen Dental Day of Service]() *A new smile can change a military veteran's life. (Snapshot image from Aspen Dental video)* Vasquez, who works in the luxury apartment industry, is fortunate. He has dental insurance through his job. Other veterans lack proper coverage, either through their employer or the [Department of Veterans Affairs](). Aspen Dental is trying to address that critical need through its Day of Service on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Four days before Veterans Day, the national oral health network will provide free dental care to veterans at participating offices. The Day of Service will kick off Aspen Dental’s initiative to provide up to $100 million in donated services to underserved populations. Veterans can begin signing up at [https://www.aspendental.com/dayofservice/]() on September 29. As of late August, more than 550 offices in 47 states are scheduled to participate in the Day of Service. A rundown of those locations [is available on the website](). Former service members are encouraged to sign up early, because availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis. “There are a lot of veterans unfortunately who are walking around in pain or they’re choosing a diet that they otherwise wouldn’t choose, because they just can’t masticate their food properly,” Bob Fontana, founder and CEO of Aspen Dental, explained to WATM. “Focusing on some of the basics when they come through the door that day is going to be really important.” First of all, dentists, their assistants, and hygienists will deal with any pain that a veteran is experiencing on the Day of Service. Otherwise, they likely will start with a dental exam and X-rays to pinpoint any issues. Most of Aspen Dental’s time on the Day of Service will be spent on such procedures as extractions, fillings, and cleanings, Fontana said. That’s not to say other oral health problems plaguing veterans won’t be addressed. “My guess is that \[in\] a lot of these offices, we’ll adopt some vets and do some *pro bono* work for them, which could include everything from dentures to implants and restorative work,” Fontana said. “But on that particular day, we’re going to focus on their immediate needs and do what we can.” ### Other Resources Available ![Aspen Dental Day of Service]() *Aspen Dental held its first Day of Service in 2014. (Snapshot image from Aspen Dental video)* Aspen Dental isn’t the only outlet for veterans to receive free dental health services. The [Dental Lifeline Network](), [Veterans Smile Day Foundation](), and the American Dental Association Foundation’s [Give Veterans a Smile Program]() are among the others. This is the first year that Aspen Dental has hosted its Day of Service since 2022. It has been active helping treat the dental issues of underserved communities, including veterans, in other ways. The Aspen Group Oral Care Center for Excellence in Chicago is another aspect of the company’s Healthy Mouth Movement. From 2014 to 2020, Aspen Dental also sponsored a MouthMobile that traveled 150,000 miles to meet needy patients where they were. It first held the Day of Service in 2014. “One of the most challenging things for our teams is trying to help people get the care that they need, but when they don’t have the means to do so or the insurance, it becomes really frustrating for them,” Fontana said. “They’re sitting there, trying to do the best they can, and so when \[the Day of Service started\], we said, ‘Geez, could we really formalize a program and give back to a part of the community that’s given back to us?’” The need is acute. In a news release, Aspen Dental cited a statistic that roughly one in four veterans qualify for VA dental benefits. The nonprofit American Institute on Disabilities in Public Health’s website claims [1.8 million veterans are eligible]() for dental care through the military. Of that total, the AIDPH’s data showed, [only 800,000 actually received care]() for problems in their mouth. ### “You Don’t Feel So Timid” ![Aspen Dental]() *Aspen Dental has committed to providing up to $100 million in free services to underserved populations, including military veterans. (Screenshot image from Aspen Dental video)* In January 2025, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-California) introduced the [Dental Care for Veterans Act](). The legislation would significantly increase those former service members eligible for dental care through the VA. As of publication, the bill has not made it out of the committee process. “It’s not like cholesterol, where you might have a hard time understanding whether or not you have a true problem,” Fontana said. “A lot of people know when they have a problem in their mouth. They can feel it, they can see it, and they can sense it. It makes life really hard.” Vasquez experienced that firsthand. A naturally gregarious person, he loved interacting with people. Over time, he became less engaging because of his oral health problems, which included rotting teeth. Now Vasquez is back to showing his full self without reservation. He wants that for other veterans too. “Having tooth issues and problems could actually give you health problems,” Vasquez said. “Not only that, but in the world today, everything’s social. You have to be social. It will give you a boost to do more things and be more proactive in the world. Try new things. Believe it or not, a smile goes a long way. You don’t feel so timid.” **Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty** **•** [**A new veterans bill includes Major Richard Star Act but cuts benefits for 1.5 million to fund it**]() **•** [**‘The Deadly Gap’: Veterans wait to get benefits until it’s too late**]() **•** [**Meta is giving AI glasses to every blind veteran in America for free**]() ## Author Stephen Ruiz is an editor and writer at We Are The Mighty. His writing revolves mostly around military history and sports stories, but it can branch into other areas. Stephen has more than 35 years of journalism experience. His career began with stints at The Ledger newspaper in Lakeland, Florida, and The Kansas City Star in Missouri, but most of his time was spent on the copy desk at the Orlando Sentinel. After accepting a buyout from the Sentinel in 2020, Stephen worked at Military.com for 4½ years as a content editor and writer. He joined the We Are The Mighty staff in December 2025. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()