Lubbock veteran shares joy as latest Smiles for Soldiers
Lubbock Air Force veteran Kevin Perry had a reason to smile this week.
Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery, a West Texas oral surgery practice led by Army veteran Dr. Robert Ioppolo, hosted its 9th annual Smiles for Soldiers recipient reveal Monday at The Brewery LBK, where Perry learned he would be this year’s honoree.
Nearly all the past recipients returned to welcome Kevin and “pass the torch,” creating an emotional, heartwarming reunion that celebrates almost a decade of giving back to veterans in need.
Perry is scheduled to receive his life-changing full-arch dental restoration just before Christmas, giving him the chance to enjoy the holidays with a new smile and self-confidence.
Smiles for Soldiers, founded by Dr. Ioppolo, provides free, life-changing full-arch restorations to veterans who face barriers to care, including those who do not qualify for VA dental benefits. The program has transformed the lives of eight veterans since 2017, restoring both confidence and oral health.
Perry, 51, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and United States Postal Service city carrier in Lubbock.
He has faced lifelong dental challenges, with nearly all of his teeth missing or broken. He has also struggled with PTSD from his military service, which causes heavy anxiety and paranoia.
In his Smiles for Soldiers application, Perry shared that he hasn’t smiled confidently in decades and often avoids social situations and family photos because of his teeth.
He described the profound impact this has had on his personal life: he often covers his mouth when speaking, feels embarrassed interacting with colleagues and the public, and has developed a complex that makes everyday communication stressful. He hopes that restoring his smile will not only improve his dental health but also alleviate symptoms of PTSD, strengthen his family relationships, and give him renewed confidence to engage with others and embrace life more fully.
The Smiles for Soldiers program provides complete smile makeovers through a procedure called All-on-4, a full-arch rehabilitation system designed by Nobel Biocare.
Using four strategically placed dental implants to secure a fixed denture, the system eliminates the need for bone grafting while providing natural-looking, functional teeth.
Dr. Ioppolo will collaborate with restorative partner Dr. Joshua Meador of Gregory Dental to provide Kevin with a fully integrated treatment plan and the life-changing smile he deserves.
Supporting veterans is personal for Ioppolo, who trained through the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program and served nine years of active duty and four in the Reserves, including as Chief of Oral Surgery at Reynolds Army Community Hospital.
Broken or missing teeth can impact both health and confidence, and Smiles for Soldiers gives Lubbock-area veterans in need a life-changing opportunity to restore both. The program is part of the practice’s broader commitment to giving back to the community and honoring those who have served.
Ioppolo said the experience is “transformative… something much bigger than just teeth — it’s about self-confidence and self-awareness.”
He’s seen past recipients regain the confidence to re-enter the workforce, get married, and improve their overall well-being after treatment.
link
![Understanding the deadly gaps in pediatric dental safety [PODCAST]](https://kevinmd.com/wp-content/uploads/Design-3-scaled.jpg "Understanding the deadly gaps in pediatric dental safety [PODCAST]")
