OKLAHOMA CITY (March 31, 2021): The Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA) and The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry joined forces with Dentists for the Disabled and Elderly in Need of Treatment (D-DENT), Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services (EODDS) and other organizations from across the state on Saturday, March 27^th to provide essential dental care to Oklahoma veterans. 

“As a former Army Reserve member, I have made it my mission during my ODA presidency to plan a free dental care day for Oklahoma veterans,” said Dr. Paul Mullasseril, ODA President and OU College of Dentistry assistant dean for clinical and preclinical education. “Because of the pandemic we had to cut the number of patients we could treat, but that didn’t stop us from making a tremendous impact in these veteran’s lives. The hope is to continue this clinic into the future and treat even more veterans who desperately need dental treatment.”

“The college is proud of our partnership with the Oklahoma Dental Association and are thrilled to be able to join together to provide free dental care for veterans in need,” said Dr. Raymond A. Cohlmia, dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “These veterans have dedicated their lives to the service of our country, and now it’s our honor to serve them.”

With limited dental benefits provided to veterans, getting the necessary oral health care can be difficult, and often, veterans delay urgent needs.  Regular dental appointments are essential in evaluating, diagnosing, preventing, or treating oral diseases, which can affect systemic health. 

These organizations thank Henry Schein Dental and the Oklahoma Dental Foundation for sponsoring the event and are looking forward to serving these heroes and watching this program grow in the years to come.  

Read more here.  

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About the Oklahoma Dental Association: 

The Oklahoma Dental Association, founded in 1907, has a membership of more than 1,600 dentists. The Association was established to help foster an awareness of the obligations and responsibilities of the dental profession to society, to help advance the art and science of dentistry, and to promote public health and health services in the State of Oklahoma. For more information about the ODA, visit www.okda.org and to find a dentist near you, visit https://findadentist.ada.org/.

About the OU COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry is home to the state’s only Doctor of Dental Surgery program and baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene. More than 60 percent of the state of Oklahoma’s dentists are graduates of the OU College of Dentistry. The college provides general dental care and specialty care to Oklahomans through student, resident and faculty practice clinics. The OU College of Dentistry has established a reputation of training its students to provide the highest quality of clinical care available.

To request an interview please contact Stacy Yates by e-mail at syates@okda.org.