Veterans make immense sacrifices in service to our nation, yet many face significant barriers to essential oral health care once their active duty ends — particularly if they lack eligibility for dental benefits through the Veterans Administration. In Connecticut alone, over 150,000 Veterans live across the state, with more than 36,000 residing in the Greater Hartford area. Salute to Smiles — a new initiative from the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) — was created to meet this critical need by providing eligible Veterans with free dental services, oral health education, and preventive care resources.
Salute to Smiles addresses a pervasive but often overlooked health disparity: dental care access for Veterans who do not qualify for comprehensive VA dental coverage and who cannot afford care out‑of‑pocket due to pension income limits or other financial constraints. These barriers can lead to untreated dental conditions that undermine overall health, nutrition, and confidence. The program is funded in part by a $25,000 Delta Dental Foundation SMILE grant and supported by partnerships with UConn Health Center, Tunxis Dental Hygiene School, and other community stakeholders focused on health equity and long‑term care access.
To qualify for Salute to Smiles, Veterans must: • reside in the Greater Hartford area; • hold an Honorable or General under Honorable Discharge status; • have a VA service connection rating below 100%; • provide a current VA benefits letter regardless of rating; and • demonstrate financial need that prevents them from paying for dental care. National Guard members must also show active duty service beyond training to participate.
Once enrolled, Veterans are connected with participating providers, clinics, and educational resources to receive dental exams, preventive services, restorative procedures, and ongoing oral health support at no cost. By eliminating financial barriers and enhancing awareness of available care, Salute to Smiles aims not only to restore oral health but also to improve Veterans’ overall wellness and quality of life.
This program stands as a testament to coordinated community action, meaningful partnerships, and the recognition that oral health is an integral part of total health. Veterans seeking to determine eligibility or enroll in the program can complete an interest form via COHI’s official site.
Veterans interested in participating in Salute to Smiles must complete a simple online interest form to help determine eligibility. The form collects essential information including residency, discharge status, VA service connection, and financial need, ensuring that the program can efficiently connect each Veteran with appropriate dental services. Completing the form is the first step toward accessing no‑cost care, and it can be filled out quickly and securely online. Veterans can access the interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflASghILOCnxfLHV4XtTqneG14eEgZ8mjK0asF4SYk6lIX_Q/viewform.
