Free Veteran Dental Services

General News

Special Announcement:

The office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis and the West Pasco Dental Association are delighted to announce the Second Annual Stars, Stripes, and Smiles Event, which will take place at Pasco Hernando State College on October 28, 2016.  As part of this exciting initiative, dentists within the community have volunteered to provide urgent dental care to 75 military Veterans living in Pasco County who have been suffering with untreated dental pain and infection- all at no cost to Veterans.  Veterans in need of dental services should contact Congressman Bilirakis’s office at 727-232-2921 to sign up for treatment.  Veterans will be taken on a first come, first serve basis and the event is open to all area Veterans with transportation to the West Pasco Campus of the Pasco Hernando State College. Unfortunately, the event is not equipped to provide transportation to and from the campus.

Oral health is an integral part of total health, and unfortunately, dental care through the VA is limited to those who are 100% disabled or have a direct service connected injury impacting their oral health. “Our Veterans have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom and they deserve access to high quality health care.  I am in the process of developing legislation that will expand Veterans’ access to dental care, however, I am very grateful for the generosity of the dentists from the West Pasco Dental Association who are not waiting for a change in law.  They are ensuring that our heroes receive immediate attention and I am honored to help organize this important event,” stated Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

Services offered through this special event will include:  professional dental cleanings, root canal therapy, tooth extractions and dental fillings.  “These heroes deserve a system of care to ensure their oral health care needs are met.  Until that can become a reality, it is our professional privilege to serve this special segment of our community,” said Dr. Zacharias Kalarickal of the West Pasco Dental Association.  Other partners and sponsors include:  Pasco-Hernando State College, Digital Brainz and Thread Art.  Event information is below.  The press is welcome to attend. 

 

Stars, Stripes and Smiles

October 28, 2016

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pasco Hernando State College, West Pasco Campus

  

For more information, please contact Summer Robertson, 727-232-2921.

 

 

About Jeff Cavanagh

Jeff Cavanagh spent his freshman year at St. Petersburg Junior College back in the early 70s before enlisting in the United States Navy. Soon after, he attended Jacksonville University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After college, he was commissioned and became a qualified Surface Warfare Officer spending the next 22 years honing his skills as a ship-handler and expert recruiter before retiring in 1994. Jeff expresses a deep sense of pride in St. Petersburg College due to connections that go back many years. His father, Tom Cavanagh, was a career Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran who taught Geography and Western Civilization at St. Petersburg Junior College in the 60’s and 70’s.