Zufall Health & DDNJ Foundation Mark Nine Years of "Smiles for Our Heroes"

West Orange, NJ - May 26, 2026 - Zufall Health, an award-winning nonprofit community health center serving northern and central New Jersey, will provide free dental care to low-income military veterans at its annual Smiles for Our Heroes on Saturday, June 13. The event will take place at Zufall's West Orange location, with funding and on-site support from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, the program's founding and longest-standing partner.

Since 2017, Smiles for Our Heroes has delivered hundreds of veterans' essential dental services they would otherwise struggle to access — cleanings, extractions, fillings, and life-changing dentures — all at no cost and regardless of insurance status. For many veterans who face significant barriers to dental coverage, this event represents a pathway to comprehensive oral health care.

"Our veterans deserve to smile with confidence," said Frances Palm, President and CEO of Zufall Health. "For nine years, Smiles for Our Heroes — made possible by the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation — has delivered free, life-changing dental care to those who served. We're proud to carry that mission forward this June in West Orange."

"When a veteran's smile is restored, their whole life changes. They can eat again, speak with confidence again, and lead a healthier life overall," said Paul Di Maio, President and CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey. "The long-term impact of Smiles for Our Heroes is extraordinary and has improved the lives of hundreds of veterans. For nine years running, we have been honored to partner with Zufall Health, our Foundation's longest-running grantee in our 40-year history, to bring life-changing dental care to our nation’s heroes and their families.”

 

A Day of Care, Community, and Patriotism

In addition to dental services, Smiles for Our Heroes connects veterans to a range of supportive resources, including medical, financial, and veteran-specific services. The day features food, live patriotic music from the Denville String Band, and participation from Parsippany Boy Scout Troop 173, elected officials, and community partners.

This year's gathering carries added meaning, taking place during America's 250th anniversary year and the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation's 40th anniversary — a milestone that has aligned with Zufall Health's growth for nearly all four decades.

Veterans receiving dental care at the event are also invited to establish Zufall Health as their ongoing dental home, ensuring continuity of care long after June 13.

 

Event Details

  • What: Smiles for Our Heroes 2026 — Free Dental Care for Veterans and Their Families
  • When: Saturday, June 13, 2026
  • Where: Zufall Health – West Orange, 49 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052
  • Who: Open to income-eligible veterans
  • Registration required at https://bit.ly/SFOHveterans
  • Cost: Free of charge

 

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 nearly 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