Featuring images of dental care on the front lines from the ADA archives and inspiring stories of heroism and dedication when it's needed most, the exhibit highlights how the ADA and its members have made a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and active-duty service members.
Browse through the following exhibit collections to learn more about military dentistry's past, present, and future.
- Dentistry at the Front Line explores dental care in wartime before 1950 as major changes were made in providing proper oral care to those in service.
- Advancing Care on the Home Front provides examples of scientific progress and legislative changes made on behalf of or by military members and veterans.
- Honoring the History Makers is a collection presented in a timeline format highlighting the people, places, and events that represent major turning points and accomplishments in the history of military dentistry.
- Serving Those Who Served features stories of veterans' experience navigating dental care and examples of past and current programs that bring vital healthcare to those who served. A special section, Get Inspired, Get Involved!, provides examples of people and programs working to improve the lives of veterans. Visit to learn how to contribute!
Exhibit by Alisun DeKock and Ellen Thieme.
Research support by Andrea Matlak, Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Kathleen Ziegler, and Anita Mark.
Special thanks to Captain Allicia Lucich for her generosity with her military dentistry expertise.
ADA Commons would like to thank the Journal of the American Dental Association for releasing the 1946 issue of JADA for public viewing in this exhibit.