Air Force veteran David Musick of Kingsport, Tennessee, receives free dental care from Healing Hands Health on Friday from their vets dental care day for veterans last week. Emily Ball
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Veterans from across the region received free dental care Friday during a special event at Healing Hands Health Center in Bristol, Tennessee, that also connected former service members with community resources.
Veterans Dental Day, held at the health center on Midway Medical Park, offered free dental examinations, X-rays, fillings and extractions. A community resource and vendor fair also gave veterans an opportunity to meet with regional organizations and learn about services.
The event was designed to address dental care needs among veterans who may not qualify for dental benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Healing Hands Health in Bristol, Tennessee, held a free dental care event last Friday for veterans.
Dr. Mark Webb, a dentist at Healing Hands Health Center, said it was a privilege for the dental community to provide care to those who have served the country.
"It's our privilege to work on veterans who have sacrificed something with their welfare in this country," Webb said.
The event brought together dentists, dental assistants and other volunteers who donated their time to help veterans receive treatment.
Webb said the dental team was providing examinations and X-rays, along with fillings and extractions. Some patients also received denture adjustments and relines. The team was particularly focused on helping veterans experiencing dental pain.
Dr. Mark Webb, a dentist at Healing Hands Health Center, talks about what services they offered to patients during their free dental care day for veterans.
Webb said the response from the dental community had been tremendous, with numerous dentists and assistants volunteering to participate.
Among those receiving care Friday was David Musick of Kingsport, Tennessee, an Air Force veteran who said it was his first visit to Healing Hands Health Center.
Musick said he came to the event to get dental work done and was pleased with the treatment he received.
"Wonderful," he said when asked about his experience.
Musick, who was born and raised in Morristown, Tennessee, served in the Air Force before beginning a career in law enforcement. He later worked for the Knox County school system as a school resource officer for 25 years and also spent 23 years working part time with the University of Tennessee Police Department.
He said he had received good care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for his medical needs but did not qualify for its dental coverage.
Many veterans received free dental care on Friday at Healing Hands Health in Bristol, Tennessee.
According to Musick, veterans generally must meet certain disability requirements to qualify for comprehensive VA dental benefits. Because he does not have a 100% disability rating, he said he was unable to receive the dental treatment he needed through the VA.
That gap in coverage is one of the reasons community dental events such as Veterans Dental Day can be important for former service members.
In addition to dental services, Friday's event offered flu shots and opportunities to connect with regional organizations and service providers. Free transportation through the First Tennessee Human Resource Agency was also available for veterans who needed assistance getting to the event.
Veterans attending the event were required to present a military identification card or discharge paperwork.