St. Louis Dental Center is giving back to those who served—offering free oral health exams to veterans on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at its 1500 Park Avenue location. Registration runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and walk-ins are welcome. The center aims to support vulnerable communities, especially veterans who may lack health insurance or access to quality dental care.
Veterans must bring a photo ID and their veteran certification form (DD-214) or VA card. Affinia Healthcare’s Health Outreach Team will assist with Medicaid for all eligible uninsured adults.
“This will be our ninth year of welcoming veterans to the St. Louis Dental Center for no cost, affordable care. Our services are critical because only 15% of veterans are eligible for dental care through the Veterans Administration,” saidHerbert Silva, DMD, ATSU-MOSDOH assistant professor, comprehensive care director, and leader of the Dentures for Veterans Project at the dental center.
The St. Louis Dental Center will host a Veterans Clinic to provide comprehensive dental screenings for veterans at no cost, thanks to funding made possible by A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH), Affinia Healthcare, and other generous donors.
By the numbers, to date, more than 1,500 veterans have been screened and treated, and over 660 veterans have received more than 1300 full and partial dentures, at no cost to the veteran.
“Additionally, when veterans are not in pain and can smile again, they are more likely to engage with work, family, and social groups. These meaningful connections can prevent isolation and desperation,” said Silva.
For more information or to preregister, call 314.685.3553.
Hello,
I’m with the Veterans History Project here in St. Louis. Our mission is to honor veterans by conducting their history from birth to the present, including time in the service.
We are an all volunteer organization, we’ve been around for 20 yrs. There is NO charge for the process or the electronic copy the veteran receives. We then send one to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. There researchers and historians may have access to utilize the veterans information to create a true history of our military.
If you’d forward onto me your snail mail address, I’d love to send one of our brochures and contact information for you and to share with other veterans to participate.
These interviews ,generally, last 45-60 minutes. Memorabilia maybe included , if the veteran wishes to do so. We keep nothing except what’s on the tape.
Keep in mind this allows the veterans story to be told and heard in his or her own words for family and friends on into perpetuity.
Thank you for your service past and present, Herb
Respectfully,
Teri
When is the next dental clinic for veterans?