A Soldier’s Smile was a philanthropic dental program associated with the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE), created to connect selected U.S. service members with donated cosmetic and restorative dental treatment.
This page preserves the historical information published about the program. It should not be read as an announcement of a currently operating treatment or sponsorship program.
About A Soldier’s Smile
The program focused on dental care intended to address oral health needs while also improving the appearance and function of participants’ smiles. Treatment was provided through participating dental practices, with the program’s historical materials describing involvement from dentists in different parts of the United States.
The original campaign materials also featured Montel Williams as a public supporter of A Soldier’s Smile. His involvement and the media coverage described in the original material are part of the program’s history.
How the Program Worked
Historical materials described several ways potential participants could be identified, including contact with local Veterans Affairs facilities and submissions from service members, families and friends. The number of participants depended in part on available sponsorship and donated treatment.
| Program element | Historical purpose |
|---|---|
| Participating dentists | Provided donated cosmetic and restorative dental treatment. |
| Participant selection | Connected selected service members with available treatment opportunities. |
| Sponsors | Helped support the program and expand its reach. |
| Media coverage | Helped publicize the program and its participants. |
Treatments Featured in the Program
The historical page described a broad range of dental procedures. The exact treatment appropriate for a patient would depend on an individual dental examination, diagnosis and treatment plan.
| Treatment | General purpose |
|---|---|
| Dental implants | Replace missing teeth with implant-supported restorations. |
| Veneers | Improve the appearance of selected teeth by covering the visible front surface. |
| Teeth whitening | Lighten the color of natural teeth. |
| Orthodontic treatment | Improve tooth alignment and bite relationships. |
| Dental bonding | Repair or reshape teeth using tooth-colored restorative material. |
| Root canal treatment | Treat disease or infection involving the dental pulp. |
| Periodontal treatment | Manage gum and supporting-tissue disease. |
| Dentures | Replace some or all missing teeth with removable prostheses. |
Historical Soldier’s Smile Cases
ACE Dental Resource also preserved individual case pages describing people who received or were associated with dental treatment through the program. These pages are being retained as historical resources and updated where appropriate to distinguish the original case descriptions from current dental information.
- George Kinney dental case
- Ronald Smith dental case
- Lucia Bruner dental case
- Brian Sedgley dental case
For more historical information about the program, see A Soldier’s Smile Cases, where available, as well as the program’s mission and sponsorship information.
About the Original Program
The original A Soldier’s Smile materials were written as campaign and promotional information. Some references reflect the circumstances and plans of the period in which the program operated. ACE Dental Resource has retained this page because it documents that history, while the current site should not be interpreted as representing historical campaign statements as present-day promises.
Editorial note: This page is a historical overview of A Soldier’s Smile. Dental procedures, eligibility, treatment recommendations and availability should always be discussed with an appropriately licensed dental professional.