College of Dentistry students, faculty and staff participated in the 2023 Veterans Mission of Mercy (MOM) event held at the National Army Guard Titan Readiness Center in Yutan on October 6-7, 2023. The goal of the event was to provide free dental care to underserved veterans and their spouses.
Event Results
– 309 individuals, 225 veterans and 84 spouses/surviving spouses of veterans, received free dental care
– 2,323 dental services were provided
– 60 patients received dentures
– $406,512 value of care provided
Dr. Gregory Bennett Recognized
For his contributions to the 2023 Veterans MOM, Gregory Bennett, DMD, assistant professor, received the “Sustained Excellence in Nebraska Oral Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Patient Education” award from the DHHS Office of Oral Health and Dentistry.
Dr. Charles “Fritz” Craft, state dental health director, said, “Dr. Bennett volunteered his time and professional experience to greatly enhance the overall impact of the Veterans MOM. He served as the chief for the prosthodontic section that provided outstanding denture care for 60 patients. Those services represented more than 36% of the total mission care value.”
Event Receives Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award
In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presented the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) with an Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award in recognition of the 2023 Veterans MOM. The award was developed to establish best practices and provide a model for other states to implement programs that benefit veterans.
James Jenkins, DDS, assistant professor, said, “The 2023 Veterans MOM was a wonderful event to help our veterans in need. It was an incredible group effort between health groups, dental schools and the National Guard. All the volunteers did a wonderful job, and the UNMC students and faculty who volunteered had a fantastic experience.”