Though known in Kansas City, Missouri, for his annual $10,000 Smile Makeover Giveaway to someone in need, Dr. Jacob Young seeks out numerous opportunities to share his talents year round with the underserved, specifically U.S. Veterans.

Dr. Young (shown with wife Julie) began participating for two years in conjunction with the “Share a Smile with a Vet” program that got its start with the Concorde Dental Hygiene program in Kansas City to address the overwhelming need for uninsured veterans to receive access to affordable dental care.

“We don’t want them to be overlooked. They can have served our country yesterday or 20 years ago,” said Dr. Young, regarding the veterans and their family for which he provides free dental treatment each month.

How it works: The “Share a Smile with a Vet” program allows Concorde’s Dental Hygiene students to provide dental care for veterans and their immediate family members until they can obtain employment and receive dental care through their employer. A veteran receives  X-rays and hygiene at no cost at the Concorde Career College’ campus and is referred to a corps of dental volunteers, Dr. Young among them.

“Without question, Jacob Young has been the most generous provider of dental care to the Veterans in our program. He always says yes when I ask to place a Veteran in his care. I can always count on him and he does a fabulous job,” said Dr. Maria Kunstadter, CEO and founder of the “Share a Smile with a Vet” program.  

Dr. Young accepts a veteran as a new patient each month and offers him or her operative care at no charge for a full year at his practice Jacob D. Young, D.D.S., P.C., Your Belton- Raymore Dentist.

“If they have operative needs, extractions, partials, fillings, I try to get them stabilized,” explained Dr. Young.

Last week, Dr. Young was among dental professionals honored during a two-day whirlwind event in New York City. Incisal Edge, the leading lifestyle magazine for dental professionals nationwide annually presents “40 Under 40,” honoring America’s Best Young Dentists in its Fall edition.

A graduate of University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, Dr. Young also dedicates his dental skills to Team Smile, Missouri Mission of Mercy and Great Lakes Dental – Military dental clinic, among other charitable efforts. He and his wife Julie are parents to three children, Dalton, Madalyn and Colton.