WYTHEVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – Veterans in Southwest Virginia received free dental care Friday during a clinic held at Big Walker Dentistry by the Bland Ministry Center in partnership with the Virginia Dental Association Foundation.
The event brought dentists and volunteers from across the state to provide cleanings, X-rays, extractions, and other essential services at no cost. Organizers say the effort began on a small scale but quickly expanded when they realized how many veterans needed accessible dental care.
“I noticed during our first free extraction event in March that several of the folks coming through were veterans,” said Dr. Laura Settles, lead dentist at Big Walker Dentistry. “I thought about what we might be able to offer to give back to those people who have served our country and need access to dental care… It’s time we did something to take care of them.”
Bland Ministry Center has increased its dental outreach over the years. With demand growing, the organization opened Big Walker Dentistry in 2019 to better serve Wythe County and surrounding areas.
“The need for dental care was more than our Bland clinic could accommodate… so in 2019 we were able to open a second location called Big Walker Dentistry,” Settles said.
Volunteers included Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds, president of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, who said securing dental care remains a challenge for many veterans.
“It’s very difficult for them to find dental care,” Reynolds said. “These men and women have given so much to this country, and I’m so incredibly grateful…to be able to give back a small portion in gratitude for what they’ve done for us.”
Veterans who attended said the clinic helped them take steps toward necessary treatment and reminded them their service is valued.
“They’re helping lead me down the path of what I need to get taken care of,” said Army veteran Derrick Doss of Independence, Virginia. “It’s nice to see men and women in the community care enough to help out a complete stranger just because of something they’ve done.”
Doss added, “Sometimes just saying thank you can really uplift a veteran more than people think.”
Organizers say they hope to continue hosting Mission of Mercy clinics at Big Walker Dentistry to support more veterans across Southwest Virginia.
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