Dental squadron gives veterans reason to smile

by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/19/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Just days after Veteran's Day, active-duty service members provided dental care for Aviano's veterans for Retiree Appreciation Day, Nov.15.

More than 50 veterans living in Italy were scheduled to use the free services offered by the 31st Dental Squadron. The annual event helped save veterans more than $16,000.

"They gave us several years of service so it's the least we can do for them," said Senior Airman Timothy Conklin, 31st DS dental oral prophylaxis technician. "And although it's only one day a year, it shows our appreciation towards them. We just wish we could do more."

The 31st DS made a mass appointment for the event to provide retired service members with an intra-oral exam, oral cancer screening and a dental cleaning, that they would normally be seen on space available or emergency basis.

"We get a lot of calls about seeing retirees and unfortunately, we have to turn them away due to priority of access of care," said Conklin. "This event shows to the retirees that we are trying to care for them and we are doing our best to get them in."

Although the Airman volunteering for the event enjoyed sharing stories with the prior-service members, the veterans expressed their mutual gratitude for the event.

"This event is special to me because after 20 years I couldn't imagine going to anyone else," said retired Col. Dennis Pearman. "You can't beat the services they do here."

With all the planning and scheduling that went into the event, all that work could not have happened without liaisons between the retirees and the base.

The Aviano Retiree Activities Office volunteers helped the 31st DS spread the word of the event by contacting retirees living in or around the Aviano community.

"These veterans have earned these privileges, but most of them aren't aware of the things we can do for them," said Noel Parks, Aviano RAO vice president. "Events such as the Retiree Appreciation Day give us a chance to spread the word to these amazing people."

The volunteers also helped retirees with base services, such as soggiornos, pay matters, financial assistance and counseling for Airmen looking to retire.

"One day we will be in their shoes trying to be seen," said Conklin. "Hopefully we will have garnered the same respect from the generation that precedes us."