SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 13, 2025 - Dentsply Sirona is strengthening its long-term commitment to increasing oral-health access for U.S. veterans, deepening its partnership with Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) and activating employee-driven support initiatives across the country. The renewed collaboration aligns with the company's global sustainability strategy and reflects a growing corporate focus on social-impact programs that directly address care gaps in underserved populations.
Strengthening a Decades-Long Collaboration
Dentsply Sirona and DLN have worked together since 1999, forming one of the dental industry's most enduring corporate-nonprofit collaborations. Entering its 26th year, the partnership includes direct financial support, in-kind product donations and professional-volunteer mobilization through Dentsply Sirona's VETERANS@DS employee resource group.
This year, the company contributed $30,000, combining cash and in-kind donations of CEREC blocks, to DLN's Lifeline Heroes Challenge-a national program designed to deliver free dental care to veterans who lack the means to access treatment. DLN also engaged clinicians at DS World Las Vegas, where its dedicated booth helped recruit additional volunteer dentists and labs into its nationwide network.
Employee Engagement Driving Local Impact
Alongside corporate funding, Dentsply Sirona employees are directly supporting access to care. Members of the VETERANS@DS resource group assembled 500 oral-health kits at the company's Charlotte headquarters. Each kit includes essential hygiene supplies and clear instructions for registering with DLN's volunteer network. Through coordination with local shelters and hospitals, the kits will reach veterans most at risk of unmet dental needs.
The effort reflects the group's broader mandate to support service members transitioning into civilian life. Activities include career-development sessions, internal community building and partnerships that expand professional opportunities for veterans across the organization.
A Mission Grounded in Social-Impact Outcomes
The corporate-volunteer alignment is part of Dentsply Sirona's sustainability platform, BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World, which targets the creation of 25 million healthy smiles by 2025. By focusing on high-need communities-veterans, adults with disabilities and older adults-the company channels innovation and philanthropy toward meaningful patient outcomes.
One story underscores the program's critical role. DLN recently coordinated care for Jerry, a 72-year-old Army veteran from Washington diagnosed with bone cancer. Before beginning life-saving treatment, he required urgent dental clearance. Through the Lifeline Heroes Challenge, volunteer dentist Dr. Duane Jones, an oral surgeon and a dental laboratory provided comprehensive care-extractions, restorations and new dentures-entirely free of charge. The intervention restored Jerry's oral health and enabled his oncologic therapy to move forward.
Direct Voices from the Front Lines of Support
Dentsply Sirona emphasizes that honoring Veterans Day requires meaningful action, not symbolic recognition. As Yoshi Johnson, Product Brand Manager Endodontics, Chair of VETERANS@DS and DLN board member, states: "As we honor Veterans Day, we want to express our gratitude by taking meaningful action. For us, this day is about giving back to those who have served and ensuring they receive the care and recognition they deserve. By joining forces with DLN, we can help veterans not only access the dental treatment they need but also feel the appreciation and support of our employees, who are deeply committed to strengthening their communities."
DLN reinforces the importance of sustained corporate commitment. Clair Diones, Vice President of Marketing, notes: "Dentsply Sirona's continued partnership and generous support make a real difference in helping veterans receive life-changing dental care. For many veterans, dental care is not only essential for their health but also for their confidence and quality of life. Through initiatives like this and our long-term partnership, we are restoring smiles, self-esteem and dignity for those who have given so much in service."
Strategic Implications for Providers and Industry Stakeholders
For dental providers, labs and community-health organizations, these initiatives demonstrate how coordinated corporate partnerships can expand access to medically necessary care without straining public systems. DLN's model-leveraging thousands of volunteer clinicians-offers a scalable, low-barrier pathway to serve vulnerable patient groups, while corporate partners supply operational support, technology and visibility.
Dentsply Sirona's engagement also reflects a broader trend: large dental manufacturers increasingly integrate ESG commitments, workforce engagement and public-health contributions into their commercial identity. For healthcare payers and policymakers, these collaborations provide case studies in how private-sector leadership can address gaps in veteran oral health-one of the nation's most persistent access challenges.
Learn More
Information on volunteer opportunities and program details is available through Dental Lifeline Network at https://dentallifeline.org.