Student, faculty and staff volunteers from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry observed Veterans Day by organizing a free health event open to military veterans from across the Bay Area.

Veterans received a free oral health check and oral cancer screening to learn more about their dental health and get questions answered by dental professionals. Hearing screenings were provided by students from the audiology program at University of the Pacific’s School of Health Sciences. In addition, COVID-19 vaccine booster doses were offered.

Attendees received free health goody bags and had the opportunity to learn about how they can receive ongoing care at the dental and audiology clinics at University of the Pacific’s San Francisco Campus. 

Veterans were welcomed by friendly volunteers from the school’s Employee Volunteer Opportunities Committee (EVOC), which offers staff members ways to get involved in volunteer activities at the school.

“We were honored to organize this outreach event to provide veterans with an opportunity to access this care as our way of thanking them for their service,” said Dr. Des Gallagher, associate dean for Clinic Services and Chair of Clinical Oral Healthcare, who himself is a veteran. “We are encouraging everyone who may have put off routine dental or medical care during the pandemic to get back on track with their care to help support their overall health.”

The Dugoni School will be launching a new program to support comprehensive care for low-income veterans, funded by a new grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation. The Dugoni School will partner with the nonprofit Everyone for Veterans to screen and identify patients to receive complimentary dental services at the Dugoni School’s clinics.

More information about University of the Pacific’s clinics and services are available at the following links: 

• Dugoni School of Dentistry (San Francisco and Union City)
• University of the Pacific Hearing and Balance Center (San Francisco and Stockton)