Former Army dentist Dr. Abby Raymond has done perhaps the glorious thing that an army veteran can do. He is trying to put smiles back to the faces of ex-soldiers who lost their teeth during combats. Dr. Abby Raymond has started his venture, Affordable Dentures & Implants practice in Tupelo, exclusively for offering free dental care to the needy military veterans (the veterans have been pre-screened and have scheduled appointments for the day).
Dr. Raymond served in Afghanistan with the 4th Combat Brigade Team of the 101st Airborne Division and 7th Special Forces Group. He is on a personal mission to give back to fellow veterans, many of whom do not have health benefits that cover dental care.
“I don’t have the means right now to have dental work done,” explains Killough. “Very few people would do this and Dr. Raymond, from the first time I met him, is someone very truly special. I can’t explain how much this means to me to have my front tooth fixed so I can smile. He always said to me that he just wanted to ‘do the right thing’ and I am so appreciative.”
“My family has a tradition of service in the military and I’m continuing that tradition now as a dentist to help make a positive impact in the lives of the veterans who sacrificed so much for our country,” explains Dr. Raymond, who trained as a dentist through the U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Programme. “Helping my fellow veterans is the least I can do, and I am honored to be in their presence and to serve them.”