MISSOULA — Big Sky Smiles & Sedation in Missoula marked Veterans Day with a heartfelt commitment to the local veteran community, offering free dental services to those who have served in the military. The office remained open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with staff working to improve veterans’ smiles at no charge.
Dr. Tyler Bond, the practice owner and a former Navy Lieutenant, led the initiative, providing one veteran, a former Army soldier, with a full set of dental implants — two on the bottom and six on the top — completely transforming his smile. “This is a significant gift,” Dr. Bond said. “Normally, such a procedure would cost veterans anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000, but today, we’re offering it for free.”
As many local businesses closed their doors on the holiday, Big Sky Smiles remained open, continuing its mission to support those who have served the country. Along with Dr. Bond’s implant work, other staff members provided essential care, including teeth cleanings for veterans.
Dr. Bond, who has been a veteran for two years, expressed the deep personal connection that motivated the event. “It’s always been important for me to give back,” he said. “What better way than to serve those who fought for our country? The least I can do is help improve their quality of life, especially after all they’ve sacrificed.”
One of the goals of the event was to make dental care more accessible to veterans, especially given the challenges of navigating the V.A. system. Matthew Voog, an Army veteran, appreciated the opportunity for a free teeth cleaning, sharing his thoughts on the difficulty of accessing care through traditional channels. “It’s great to have something like this,” Voog said. “It’s much easier than waiting for an appointment with the V.A. system. I hope they consider reforms to make it easier for veterans to get the care they need.”
In addition to the dental services, the office treated attendees to lunch vouchers for Tacos El Patron, a food truck parked outside the practice, and plans to hold a raffle with prizes tailored to veterans.
With the overwhelming success of the event, Dr. Bond expressed eagerness to make it an annual tradition. “We’re already looking forward to doing this again next year,” he said. “If not on Memorial Day, we’ll definitely do it on Veterans Day. I’m just grateful for the chance to serve those who have served us.”
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