Zufall Health and Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Support Veterans' Smiles

Patriotic Dental Event Returns After Five-Year Hiatus

Dover, NJ – June 24, 2024 – Zufall Health and Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation (DDNJ) recently partnered to host "Smiles for Our Heroes,” a day-long event that provided no-cost dental services to 70 veterans from across New Jersey. Held on sunny Saturday June 15, the festivities marked the return of the event in this format after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran patient Michael Moore beams with joy after his procedure with Zufall dentist Antonella Maietta, DMD.

Credit: Hal Brown.

 

Smiles for Our Heroes included a ceremony with remarks by Town of Dover Mayor James Dodd (second from left); Military and Veterans Liaison for Senator Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) Willy Tolba (third from left); Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco (NJ-25) (center), who read a joint resolution from the NJ Senate and General Assembly with Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (NJ-25) (second from right); Zufall President and CEO Fran Palm (third from right); Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Chair Lisa Gallucci, DMD and D.ABDSM. Town of Dover Council Member Michael Scarneo (far left) was also present.

Credit: Hal Brown

Edward Miuccio, a 36-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, was among those who benefited. "I've waited so long to find this type of care," said Miuccio, who received a dental cleaning, x-rays, and two tooth extractions. "I'm very grateful to have been connected to Zufall and to be here today."

"Many people don't realize that most veterans can't get dental services through the VA, except for those with 100 percent service-related injuries," said Fran Palm, MPA, President and CEO of Zufall Health. "This event, along with year-round follow-up care, helps veterans overcome barriers to access the dental care they need and deserve.”

Beyond dental care, attendees enjoyed a variety of services and activities, including nutrition education, arts and crafts, chair yoga, blood pressure checks, COVID-19 vaccinations, therapy dogs, a patriotic ceremony with performances by the Denville String Band, and a barbecue lunch.

(Photo caption: “My health is important, and I want to be here for my son,” said 36-year-old Zufall patient Edward Miuccio, who was thrilled to receive long-awaited dental care during Father’s Day weekend. Credit: Zufall Health)

During the ceremony, Lisa Gallucci, DMD, D.ABDSM, Chair of DDNJ Foundation, credited the event's creation to her predecessor, Gene Napoliello, DDS. "Sadly, we lost Dr. Gene two years ago. Today, his legacy lives on through this event and all the work Zufall Health does to support access to dental care for our nation's heroes," Gallucci said.

Palm called for a moment of silence to pay tribute to both Napoliello and Robert Zufall, MD, co-founder of Zufall Health and a military veteran who passed away in March.

Photo caption: With the help of dozens of volunteers and community partners, Smiles for Our Heroes transformed the parking lot adjacent to Zufall’s Dover Dental facility into an extravagant patriotic event celebrating our veterans.

Credit: Zufall Health/Hal Brown.

Other notable speakers included Town of Dover Mayor James Dodd, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco (NJ-25), who read a proclamation from NJ Governor Phil Murphy, and Military and Veterans Liaison for Senator Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) Willy Tolba. Town of Dover Council Member Michael Scarneo was also present.

Credit: Zufall Health/Hal Brown.

In addition to lead sponsor Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Smiles for Our Heroes was generously supported by BD, Benco Dental, Brio Benefit Consulting, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Day Pitney LLP, Eastern Janitorial Service, Fingerpaint, Fulton Bank, Henry O. Baker Insurance, iTero, Henry Schein, Horizon BCBS, LabCorp, Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Mandelbaum Salsburg Charitable Foundation, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, PRODIRECT Dental Laboratory, Provident Bank, Riker Danzig LLP, and Valley Bank.

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About Zufall Health

Zufall Health is an award-winning, nonprofit community health center providing access to high quality, affordable, and culturally responsive health care for people and communities who experience barriers to care. More than 48,000 patients are served annually at its 15 service sites, including two mobile vans, across seven counties in northern and central New Jersey. For more information, visit zufallhealth.org. 

About Delta Dental

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.9 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. Through its philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, $1M in grants are awarded annually throughout New Jersey and Connecticut helping people without coverage gain access to dental care and education. The Delta Dental Foundation’s mission is to improve the oral health of New Jersey and Connecticut residents by providing charitable contributions to solve oral health care challenges.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Jackie Zygadlo, MWW

(201) 231-6035, jzygadlo@mww.com

Kim Elmore, Delta Dental of Connecticut

(201) 534-9682, kelmore@deltadentalnj.com