Keep Veterans Smiling marks 10th free dental day for Texoma veterans

Texoma veterans received dental treatment at no cost on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at the 10th annual Keep Veterans Smiling Day in Sherman, according to the Keep Veterans Smiling Foundation. The clinic was held at Dr. Sam's Premier Dentistry, 1005 E. Sara Swamy Drive, and the foundation has described the day as a success.

Each eligible veteran could choose a cleaning, a filling or an extraction, according to the foundation's announcement. The event was open to Texoma residents who had served honorably in the U.S. military, a region that includes Gainesville and Cooke County. Treatment was offered in the order veterans arrived, starting at 8 a.m., with no appointments. Registration was required by 3 p.m. The foundation describes its typical capacity as up to 100 veterans; that figure is not an attendance count for this event.

Dr. Sam Nechamkin established the foundation on May 5, 2016, to provide free and reduced-cost dental treatment to veterans living in Texoma, according to the foundation's FAQ. It holds the clinic on the third Tuesday of September. The foundation's website reports that more than 700 veterans have received services since it began.

Free dental care through the Department of Veterans Affairs reaches a limited share of veterans. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that about 25% of VA health-care enrollees qualified for comprehensive dental benefits in fiscal 2025, up from 15% in fiscal 2020. VA eligibility rules cover several groups beyond veterans with a 100% disability rating, including former prisoners of war and veterans with compensable service-connected dental conditions. Other categories qualify for more limited treatment, according to VA.

Another free dental-care opportunity for veterans is scheduled for Nov. 7 through Aspen Dental's Day of Service, according to the company. Its list of participating offices includes Denton, McKinney and Wichita Falls. Aspen Dental encourages appointments because availability is limited, and it reports that the national program has served more than 30,000 veterans since 2014.

Beyond the annual clinic, the foundation selects veterans for extensive treatment at no charge. Applications are accepted throughout the year and must reach its Sherman office by the last business day in October. Under the application, selected veterans receive a complete treatment plan without charge and an annual free cleaning after the treatment is completed. Veterans remain responsible for additional services they request, and the foundation announces selections in November.

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can also buy discounted private coverage through the VA Dental Insurance Program, including when they do not qualify for free VA dental treatment, according to VA. Enrollees pay the full premium and applicable copayments. GAO found that about 67,000 of 9.2 million eligible veterans enrolled in the program in fiscal 2025, less than 1%.

For veterans paying on their own, two dental hygiene clinics list low-cost cleanings. Collin College in McKinney lists cleanings at $20 for patients 13 and older after a free screening. Texas Woman's University in Denton lists routine cleanings at $40 to $50 on a fee page last updated Aug. 30, 2023, and allows discretionary discounts for documented financial need.