Today's edition · Thursday, November 12, 2026
Every story verifiedNo politics. Ever.No pop-ups
TodayLocalWorldHeroesAnimalsScienceCommunityHealth & TechMapQuizKindnessAnnouncementsKidsTopicsExplainersOn this dayCalendarGood NeighborHometown Heroes

TodayCommunityTexas

CommunityLubbock, Texas

A Lubbock surgeon is giving a Marine veteran his smile back

Through Smiles for Soldiers, oral surgeon and veteran Dr. Robert Ioppolo chose Marine veteran John Gonzales, who has not smiled confidently since 1993, for free dental implant work in the coming months.

Verified · Source: KCBDNov 10, 2026 · 1 min read
How to help
A modern dental treatment room with a chair and equipment, and no patient
Illustrative photo of a dental treatment room. This is not Dr. Ioppolo's office, and John Gonzales is not pictured. Shixart1985 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Read the original

The reporting lives at KCBD. Our summary is checked against it, and we link it on every story.

Oral surgeon and veteran Dr. Robert Ioppolo has chosen Marine veteran John Gonzales for free dental implant work through his Smiles for Soldiers program in Lubbock, KCBD reported. Gonzales has not smiled confidently since 1993. The implants are planned for the coming months, so the care is still ahead. What has happened is the selection. The work itself has not been done yet.

For the classroom

Dr. Robert Ioppolo, an oral surgeon in Lubbock, Texas, who is also a veteran, runs a program called Smiles for Soldiers, KCBD reported. He chose Marine veteran John Gonzales for free dental implant work. Gonzales has not smiled confidently since 1993. The dental work is planned for the coming months, so it has not happened yet. An implant is a replacement tooth anchored in the jaw. The choice of Gonzales is the step that has been taken. The new smile is still ahead.

  1. Why would someone wait decades to feel confident about a smile?
  2. What is the difference between being chosen for care and already finishing it?
  3. Why might a veteran surgeon want to do this work for free?

For a teacher to read with a class. Print the story of the day · Morning announcements · All classroom stories · This week's Good News Friday pack

More good news

Other stories in the same neighborhood of kindness.