  Kent County Veterans Services Offers Free Dental Care To Local Veterans and Their Families, Through Partnership
Grand Rapids, Mich. (May 30, 2025) - Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) is proud to continue its partnership with My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) to provide free dental care to eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and life partners in Kent County.
On Friday, May 30, the MCDC Walker location (890 3 Mile Road NW, Suite 4, Grand Rapids, MI 49544) hosted a Dental Care Day for veterans to receive free services — including U.S. Army veteran Nelson Soto, who received a professional dental cleaning.
"It's very important," Soto said of the free dental program. "A lot of veterans need mental health care, physical health care, and dental care, but dental care is something that is often overlooked - and it shouldn't be. I personally am very grateful and am in contact with lots of other veterans who are also very grateful for this program."
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This initiative is designed to reach veterans who do not qualify for dental benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There are no income requirements for participation. To be eligible, veterans must provide proof of service and Kent County residency.
“Our goal is to remove barriers to care and give back to those who’ve served our country,” said Ryan Grams, Director of Kent County Veterans Services. “Dental health is often overlooked, and this partnership with MCDC helps us ensure that veterans and their loved ones don’t fall through the cracks.”
Since the start of 2025, more than 100 veterans and spouses have already benefited from the program, many of whom hadn’t seen a dentist in years due to lack of access or affordability, and have now received much-needed preventive dental care.
Dr. Deborah Brown, CEO of My Community Dental Centers and an Army veteran who joined the service in 1984 after high school, also emphasized the importance of the program.
"Many people assume that because you're a veteran, when you get discharged, you have access to all health services—but that's not true. You have to be disabled a certain percentage to qualify for VA healthcare and dental care," Brown said. "Even myself—when I was discharged years ago—I didn’t have any dental coverage. I found myself looking for a dentist and trying to pay for care on my own."
Brown said the free services can include cleanings, fillings, dentures, and emergency care. She noted that the response from veterans puts a smile on her face and reinforced the link between oral and overall health.
"If you don't have a healthy mouth, you can't have a healthy body," she said. "Just being able to interview for a job without pain or missing teeth—I've had veterans tell me, ‘Now I can go and get a job.’ That makes all the difference."
KCVS encourages any eligible veterans or their surviving spouses or life partners to take advantage of upcoming Free Dental Care Days:
- June 13 & 20, 2025 | 4700 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
- July 11, 2025 | 1411 White Creek Avenue NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
- August 15, 2025 | 890 3 Mile Road NW Suite 4, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
- September 5 & 20, 2025 | 4700 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
"I'm so proud to be a veteran who has served this country," Brown added. "And many of the veterans I meet are very proud too. So when they’re looking good and feeling good, it makes me feel good."
Appointments are required. To schedule, call 877-313-6232 today.
For more information on Kent County Veterans Services and eligibility, visit kentcountymi.gov/veterans.
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