MSU offered free dental care to veterans and more
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - It was a busy day at the MSU Dental Clinic with former service members coming in for free dental care.
Dr. Bryan Johnson said, “That’s sad and this is a great program for them to have a dental home and maybe find out some problems to get those taken care of.”
Dr. Johnson said the amount of smiles he sees as vets sit in these student’s chairs brings him the same joy.
“The level of appreciation is very strong,” Johnson explained. “They understand the importance of it and how unfortunate it is to not have that benefit.”
Johnson says it’s a benefit to the veterans and these future dentists.
Dental school senior Torrey Olson-Rodel said, “It’s super rewarding. They’re always so happy and they love being here and we love seeing them. We really care a lot about the community, cause that’s how we learn. Without the community we would [not] be able to learn and be here today.”
The dental school hosts free care days for kids and veterans, and they offer care to those that might not be able to afford it daily.
“We do a sliding fee here too,” Olson-Rodel explained. “They don’t have to pay all the prices; we cut it in half if they don’t have any dental insurance.”
Dr. Johnson wants this environment to be welcoming to all sets of teeth. “It’s nice to be in a situation where you can go and not be judged and that would certainly be the case here,” he said.
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