Free Dental Care Transforms Lives for Local Veterans

Zufall Health's Smiles for Our Heroes Event Marks Ninth Year of Service

WEST ORANGE, NJ — June 17, 2026 — For more than a decade, Deborah went without dental care—not by choice, but because she could not afford it.

A Cold War-era Army veteran living on a modest Social Security income, Deborah had resigned herself to getting by without treatment until a chance conversation changed everything.

“I didn’t know of any programs offering affordable dental care,” she said. “Then, while riding a veterans’ shuttle bus to the VA Medical Center in East Orange, I overheard two gentlemen talking about this one.”

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) (center), pictured with Zufall Health President and CEO Fran Palm and SVP of Dental Services Jade Duncan, DDS, MEd, MBA, was among the mid-day ceremony’s speakers who expressed support for veteran’s access to dental care. Photo Credit Rob Longo 2121 Productions

The program was Smiles for Our Heroes, Zufall Health’s long-running initiative that provides no-cost dental care to veterans through a partnership with Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. Since enrolling, Deborah has received cleanings, fillings, and a crown. At the program’s annual flagship event on June 13 at Zufall’s West Orange site, she began treatment for a partial denture.

“My chipped front tooth was unsightly and interfered with my self-confidence,” she said. “My dentist was pleasant, and I felt that I was treated without judgment.”

Today, she smiles more freely.

Deborah is one of hundreds of veterans who have received free dental care through Smiles for Our Heroes since the program launched in 2017. But the fact that she found her way there by chance speaks to a gap that Zufall's leadership is determined to close.

Smiles for Our Heroes would not be possible without the generosity of its premier sponsor, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. Having received support from the Foundation for nearly three decades, Zufall Health is grateful to be its longest-running grantee. Left to right: Barry Petruzzi - Vice President of Underwriting and Actuarial Services, Delta Dental of NJ and CT; Ellen Schworn - Trustee of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation and Chairperson of the Veterans Committee; Kim Elmore - Corporate Communications Manager, Delta Dental of NJ and CT; Lisa Gallucci, DMD, D.ABDSM - Chair, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation; and Michael Rodrigues - Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Delta Dental of NJ and CT. Photo Credit Rob Longo 2121 Productions

“No one, especially those who served our country, should have to depend on luck to access basic health care services,” said Fran Palm, Zufall Health’s president and CEO. “Yet only 15% of veterans are eligible for VA dental coverage, and cost remains the leading reason veterans forgo dental care. For nine years, Smiles for Our Heroes has helped to rewrite that narrative for veterans in New Jersey.”

Beyond the dental chairs, Saturday's event doubled as a community gathering. Veterans and their families enjoyed food and live music by the Denville String Band, while health care, social service, and veteran support organizations hosted information tables. A midday ceremony featured remarks from government officials, including Congresswoman LaMonica McIver New Jersey Department of Health Deputy Commissioner of Population Health Nashon Horsby, and West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney. Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn, and Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney sent a congratulatory proclamation in lieu of attendance.

A volunteer joins a performer from the Denville String Band for a dance. The band has been a beloved part of Smiles for Our Heroes for years, helping create a festive atmosphere for veterans and volunteers alike. Photo Credit Rob Longo 2121 Productions

Among those who also received care was Ted, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. Saturday marked his first step toward receiving a bridge—a procedure he said he had delayed for more than a year because the cost was out of reach.

"I never really understood why dental care isn't a benefit for veterans like me," said Ted, 77. "My teeth go with me everywhere I go. They're part of the body. It's silly."

For Philip, an 80-year-old Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran, the program provided relief from costs that would otherwise have totaled thousands of dollars.

Zufall Health providers like Robert Baskies, DMD, joined fellow volunteer dentists in providing no-cost dental care to nearly 70 veterans.  Photo Credit Rob Longo 2121 Productions

"The worst thing for anyone is not being able to afford dental care. It's terrible," Philip said. "I'm thankful.”

Philip's lapse in dental care coincided with his wife's passing. Reconnecting with treatment improved not only his oral health but also helped him move forward during a difficult period.

“Having this help got me out of the hole I was in,” he said.

“Stories like Deborah's, Ted's, and Philip's are exactly why we do this work. We were proud to support this year’s Smiles for Our Heroes and help provide critical dental care to nearly 70 veterans,” said Paul Di Maio, President and CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “We’re grateful to our longtime partner, Zufall Health, for making this impact possible and look forward to celebrating the program’s 10th anniversary in 2027.”

One of the most meaningful roles of our non-clinical volunteers is simply being present—offering companionship, conversation, and a welcoming smile to veterans throughout the day. Photo Credit Rob Longo 2121 Productions

In addition to premier sponsor Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Smiles for Our Heroes 2026 was generously supported by Zufall’s corporate partners, Henry Schein and ProDirect Dental Laboratory, along with event sponsor Benco Dental, and in-kind sponsor RWJBarnabas Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

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About Zufall Health

Zufall Health leads the way in community care by delivering high-quality health services you can trust, ensuring every person has access to the affordable care they deserve. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurance plans and offer a sliding fee scale for patients without insurance. Accredited by The Joint Commission and recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, Zufall offers medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services to more than 53,000 patients annually. Zufall is the fifth largest community health center in New Jersey by patient volume and the largest by geographic reach, serving seven counties across northern and central New Jersey. Since 2016, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has ranked Zufall within the top 10% of health centers nationwide for clinical quality. For more information, visit zufallhealth.org.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc.

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 2.2 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. 

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. Through its philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation awards more than $1M in grants annually to support access to dental care and education for underserved children, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs, as well as funds workforce development programs for dental assisting and dental hygiene across New Jersey and Connecticut.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Kim Elmore, Delta Dental of New Jersey
(973) 534-9682, kelmore@deltadentalnj.com