An Orlando, FL, multi-practice owner and Aspen Dental provider shares how offering free dental care to veterans on the Day of Service has become his team’s favorite day of the year
Whether you call it “paying it forward,” “giving back,” or “lending a hand,” it’s always been a way of life for Jere S. Gillan Jr., DMD. A retired U.S. Air Force sergeant and combat veteran, Dr. Gillan served 11 years, including deployments during 2 Middle East conflicts. Today, as an Aspen Dental provider and owner of 8 practices in Orlando, FL, he sees firsthand how important access to dental care is, especially for veterans. It’s why he opens his doors to them for each of Aspen Dental's Day of Service initiatives.
“Veterans are an overlooked part of the population when it comes to dental care, which is probably surprising to a lot of folks,” Dr. Gillan shared. “Dental benefits for veterans are very limited and selective—over 80% don’t qualify for dental coverage. Even for those who do qualify, the waiting period for appointments can sometimes stretch into several months. I love Aspen Dental’s Day of Service because we get to take care of a lot of vets that don’t normally get the chance to see a dentist.”
Aspen Dental launched its nationwide Day of Service in 2014, and it’s open to veterans from every branch of the U.S. armed forces. This year’s event takes place on November 7, 2026, in honor of Veterans Day, with more than 550 Aspen Dental offices across 47 states taking part.
“The majority of my offices see between 20 and 30 veterans on the Day of Service, and in addition to that, I see veterans almost every day in our practice, due to our geographical area,” he said.
Dental Care That Can’t Wait
Dr. Gillan believes that even though the greater Orlando area has several VA clinics and hospitals, many veterans find long wait times for appointments, which can be problematic when a patient is suffering from tooth pain.
“Often, my patients who are veterans tell me they’re qualified to receive dental care from the VA, but the waiting time for an appointment can be 6 months or more, and they’ve got a tooth that hurts now,” he said. “So, that disparity of care is a big concern for us. It’s important to realize that in our communities, these vets are out there, and they need our help perhaps more than most.”
A Focus on Urgent Care
On the Day of Service, Aspen Dental providers focus on veterans’ most urgent care needs, while also offering a limited exam and necessary X-rays. The care provided includes fillings, extractions, basic cleanings, or denture repair. Additional treatment is also given when needed, and the first priority is always to get patients out of pain.
“Most patients come in with an issue that’s been bothering them, such as nagging tooth pain or a broken tooth or crown,” he shared. “These patients aren’t looking for comprehensive treatment, so we simply address their immediate dental concerns."
Some veterans who come in for the Day of Service need more comprehensive treatment, such as root canals. For those patients, Dr. Gillan extends the free care to cover the additional appointments needed to complete treatment, including follow-ups. Veterans whose dentures need repair or replacement benefit as well. “We are able to make them a new denture in just a day!” he said.
Finding Long-Term Treatment Candidates
On the Day of Service, Dr. Gillan’s office treats every veteran who comes in, but he asks his team members to watch for one patient in particular: someone who has struggled to access dental care and needs far more extensive work than a single visit allows. That patient can then continue with the practice over the following months to receive the full treatment they need, such as implants or full-mouth extractions and dentures.
“We are looking for someone who desperately needs extensive work, and someone who we can change their life completely,” he said. “When we can find opportunities to do that, we’re all in to do that type of procedure.”
Celebrating the 'Full Circle' Moments
Day of Service is part of Aspen Dental's Healthy Mouth Movement, one of the largest oral health access initiatives in the dental industry. The company has set a goal of delivering up to $100 million in donated dental care over the next 5 years.
“Aspen Dental’s Day of Service really is a ‘full circle’ moment for me because it brings me tremendous joy that I am able to share similar experiences with other veterans,” Dr. Gillan said. “There’s a camaraderie there. It’s a small world, and many times we find that it’s very possible we were in the same operational theater during our service. But for other members of the team, they tell me the Day of Service is their favorite day at Aspen Dental. It is a wonderful feeling to see the smiles on our patients’ faces and know that at the end of the day, we have made somebody feel better."
