Veteran Stand Down

Veterans Stand Down: Free Dental Care for Veterans

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Thank You for Making the 2026 Veteran Stand Down a HUGE Success

Dear Volunteers, Sponsors, and Community Partners,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making our Veteran Stand Down Free Dental Day possible. Together, we welcomed almost 70 veteran patients and provided approximately $80,000 in donated dental services.

What began as a Free Dental Day grew into a heartfelt community effort to care for our veterans. Children prepared food bags from our local food bank, and families came out to create thank-you cards expressing appreciation for our veterans’ service. Our community partners—Veteran Service Organization, West Care Veterans, El Concilio, Visionary Home Builders, and K9 Comfort Canine—provided resource tables and support. Together, you made this day about more than dental care: you showed our veterans that an entire community cares for them and is grateful for their service.

Three patients especially stood out to me. One veteran cried tears of joy after having his six front teeth restored, knowing he could finally smile with confidence. The moment was so moving that Dr. Khorsand and his assistant both stepped out briefly to take it all in. Two other patients arrived without any teeth, and each left with a complete set of dentures provided by Dr. Vu—restoring their smiles and their ability to chew in just two hours. These moments showed us how deeply your care can change someone’s life.

Many more veterans left with teeth restored through fillings, while our dedicated team of hygienists provided cleanings. Others received extractions, fillings, and root canals from our 20+ volunteer dentists that addressed active infections and relieved their pain. Every treatment made a meaningful difference in their health, comfort, and quality of life.
The immense gratitude expressed by our patients was something we all witnessed through their heartfelt thank-you, smiles, and tears. This day will leave an indelible mark on our patients and on our student volunteers, who saw firsthand the compassion the dental profession can bring to a community. You showed our future dental professionals what it means to give back and use their skills in service of others.

The day was hectic, with plenty of moving parts and moments of organized chaos! Yet everyone stepped in, adapted, and worked together until we wrapped up a little after 2 p.m. Your teamwork and dedication made these remarkable outcomes possible.

To our dentists, hygienists, DAs, RDAs, student volunteers, general volunteers, sponsors, and community partners: every contribution mattered. Whether you helped spread the word, provided treatment, welcomed patients, sterilized instruments, coordinated logistics, or donated funding and supplies, you helped our veterans feel cared for and valued. I wish I could recognize every contributor by name; please know that your efforts were seen and deeply appreciated.

I cannot thank you enough for giving your time, skills, and hearts. You restored more than teeth—you restored comfort, confidence, and dignity. The impact of your generosity will stay with our veterans and inspire the next generation of dental professionals long after this day.

With heartfelt appreciation,

San Joaquin Dental Society
Veteran Stand Down Free Dental Day