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.

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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.
- Why would someone wait decades to feel confident about a smile?
- What is the difference between being chosen for care and already finishing it?
- Why might a veteran surgeon want to do this work for free?
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Community in TexasLubbock, TexasVeteransKindnessInclusionGood news on November 10
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