GI Smiles - Thank-a-Vet

In 2025, AzDA Cares Foundation is launching a new initiative to promote Arizona veterans’ oral health—the GI Smiles Thank-A-Vet program. This program addresses a critical community need for increased access to oral healthcare for veterans.

Although the Veterans Affairs healthcare system offers comprehensive benefits to qualifying veterans, a veteran must have service-connected dental issues to be eligible for coverage. According to the American Dental Association, approximately 85% of veterans do not have VA dental benefits, a significant barrier to accessing necessary care.

Oral health is critical to overall health and well-being, and AzDA Cares is committed to supporting the health of our veterans. In the past, we provided free dental care services at Veterans StandDown events and saw a need for programming that connects veterans to long-term oral healthcare.

The GI Smiles Thank-A-Vet program will connect Arizona veterans year-round with free continuing oral healthcare by:
1) Identifying Need: We will partner with community colleges to reach veterans needing care.
2) Matching Veterans to Local Dentists: We will coordinate with local dental practices to volunteer their time and skills to provide free treatment and match veterans statewide to dentists in their area.

AzDA Cares Foundation aims to serve 200 veterans in 2025, connecting them to dental professionals dedicated to supporting their needs. By helping veterans access oral healthcare, we are working to keep their smiles healthy and bright, improve the quality of life for those who have served our nation, and honor their sacrifice.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
If the patient requires a referral, and your office is aware of a specialist willing to participate in the program, they can be referred, and the specialist can register on our website. If you don't know of any offices, we will help you find one. We are currently compiling a list of doctors who wish to participate.

Once you are matched with a veteran, treat them as you would any patient of record. You determine the amount of donated services you will provide and communicate that to the veteran student. If they would like to pay for part of the services, that is perfectly fine. We encourage a conservative treatment plan and have a small grant that can help offset lab costs. To help as many vets as possible, we will reimburse lab fees equivalent to 2 crowns or one removable option. If you need anything over that, please get in touch with us, and we will determine if we can help. Keep in mind, this is to aid the veteran with conservative dental treatment while they are on the GI Bill as a student. Once they graduate, they will have the opportunity to work and afford their own dental work, and hopefully, they will continue treatment in your office for the long term. If you determine it is not a good match for you, you can refer the student to us to find a different provider.