Helping a Hero

The team at Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons is excited to announce its first Smiles For Soldiers campaign after the success of its Smile Again program. This remarkable program is designed to help one deserving active duty soldier or veteran receive a brand-new smile. Applications are open to local soldiers or veterans with deteriorating oral health who cannot afford the oral surgery needed to restore their failing teeth.

Brian, a veteran who served in the United States Army and founded Friends of Disabled Veterans, is from Kennewick and is our first Smiles For Soldiers recipient. Brian served for 20 years in more than 14 countries. His teeth began to deteriorate during his time in the military when he had limited access to dental care and because of the medication he takes for pain. He wrote that he is a very happy person and is very thankful every day to be alive, however, because he is so self-conscious and ashamed to smile because of his teeth, he’s been told by others whom he interacts with that he often looks mad or upset.

When asked what he would do if he had new teeth, he said he would be able to share more to help others through the nonprofit he founded directly, rather than relying on others to speak in front of groups large and small to spread its key messages. He also said that he looks forward to being able to smile back at his wife and to go out and interact with others without hiding or being ashamed of his smile.