A Syracuse dentist is continuing a heartfelt tradition by offering free dental care to veterans on Veterans Day. Dr. Joan Laura, who has been providing this service for eight years, will open her Eastwood office on Monday, November 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans can receive either a dental cleaning, filling, or extraction at no cost.
To participate, veterans must bring proof of their military service and complete a brief medical history form. Dr. Laura’s initiative has seen significant growth over the years, with the number of veterans seeking care rising from a handful in her first year to around 50 annually. To date, she has treated 722 veterans and donated over $45,000 in dental services.
Dr. Laura highlighted the challenges many veterans face in accessing dental care. She noted that only those with combat-related injuries qualify for dental services through the Veterans Affairs system. Many veterans who have not sustained facial injuries often lack any dental coverage.
To accommodate the influx of patients, Dr. Laura will be assisted by additional hygienists and dental assistant students from BOCES. As she provides care, she reflects on her family’s military legacy, including her grandfather who served in World War I and her father who was a dentist during the Korean War.
“My part in serving this country is treating veterans for free on Veterans Day,” Dr. Laura said. “For me, it’s the best way to say thank you for all you have done.”
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