Rufus Griggs
When the Veterans Administration referred Rufus Griggs to AAVD, he was skeptical and didn’t believe we could help him. He was missing all his front teeth and some back teeth, so it was hard from him to eat and he was embarrassed to smile. Our volunteer dentist Dr. Patricia O’Gara took him under her wing and provided him with upper and lower partials. Rufus is a believer now! “I can smile again,” he told us. “I never thought it would end up this way!”
Diana Donohoe Lindsey
Air Force Veteran Diana Donohoe-Lindsey, pictured here received treatment from volunteer Dentists Dr. Thomas P. Myatt and Dr. Robert Devin of the AAVD Dental Clinic at Truckee Meadows Community College, care from multiple professionals was a must. Diana’s treatment began with Dr. Ryan R. Falke of Sierra Oral & Facial Surgery, extracting her remaining teeth. Dr. Devin then fabricated dentures for her, and Dr. Myatt provided her with implants. All of these pieces of Diana’s treatment were so important and necessary in getting her back to optimal oral health and giving her the gorgeous smile she has today.
John Scoop Williams
Just before Navy veteran John “Scoop” Williams was scheduled to get his long-awaited dentures, he got a call that his mother was critically ill. He rushed home to Pennsylvania, sadly without his new smile, to care for his mother. “Scoop” returned to Reno a few months later, happy to report that his mother had recovered and ready to complete his pro bono treatment with AAVD volunteer dentist Dr. Eric Pendleton. As soon as he got his new dentures, he went to the home of a friend who had Skype, excited to transmit his new smile 2,500 miles across the country to his mother.
David Armstrong
When David Armstrong was referred to AAVD last year by another veteran, his 40-year-old lower partials weren’t working well for him, giving him challenges talking and telling his stories. This month, the Navy vet who served in the mid-1950s on the USS Essex, got brand new lower partials and a full set of upper dentures from volunteer dentist Dr. Bill Rohel at the Adopt a Vet Dental Program dental clinic at TMCC in Reno. “AAVD made it very easy for me,” David said. “You are doing such a great thing, I want everyone to know about it!” David has a lifetime of inspiring stories to tell. With his new teeth, he is sharing them with a beautiful, patriotic smile on his face.
David LaFrase
Air Force veteran David LaFrase is smiling every day after Dr. Nick Anastassatos performed much-needed dental surgery and created new dentures. The dentures were fabricated pro bono by Prosthetic Specialties. What a difference this has made in David’s outlook on life. AAVD is honored to have been instrumental in improving the lives of more than 1,000 Northern Nevada vets like David in need of dental care.
Alford Mallard
When Army Vet and Texas native Alford Mallard reached out to AAVD, he had just broken a tooth and was hurting. First order of business…emergency treatment to alleviate the pain. Then we put him under the care of Dr. Michael Kanellis in Sparks, who provided Alford with upper and lower partials, along with fillings to help preserve his remaining teeth. Alford was so excited when he got his partials, he came straight to the AAVD offices, where we unanimously agreed he looked a happier, healthier 10 years younger
Constance Sexton
Navy Veteran and breast cancer survivor, Constance Sexton, is “so happy to be able to smile again.” As you can see from her “before” picture on the left, Constance had a mouthful of decayed teeth broken all the way down to the gumline. She contacted our Adopt a Vet Dental program for help and thanks to Volunteer Dentists Dr. Derek L. Johnson of The Dentists’ Office and Dr. Thomas P. Myatt, Constance was provided with dentures, giving her a beautiful new smile. Constance is very involved with the senior community in Fallon, Nevada and we’re so happy she has found her smile again!
Robert Upchurch
Marine Veteran Robert Upchurch had no teeth when he reached out to our Adopt a Vet Dental Program (AAVD) for help. His caregiver stated that he was losing weight and AAVD knew they needed to help. Volunteer dentist team at the AAVD Dental Clinic at Truckee Meadows Community College, Dr. Thomas P. Myatt and Dr. William Rohel (pictured here with Robert), provided Robert the dental care he needed and today Robert says he is very happy to be able to eat again.
Todd Tunstall
Navy Veteran Todd Tunstall’s mother recently had a birthday and asked for all her children to come to her house for a reunion. Todd was excited to have his smile back for this event. Volunteer Dental Team, Dr. Myatt and Dr. Devin who work at the Adopt a Vet Dental Clinic at Truckee Meadows Community College provided all the dental treatment Todd needed. We are so happy to see the big smile Todd is sporting today!
