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Hi! I’m Candice, I’m a dental treatment coordinator at Tuscarora Dental (Martinsburg, WV). I love helping people feel informed and confident about their general and cosmetic dental care needs while guiding them through their treatment process.

I’m also co-chair for our annual Freedom Day event held in partnership with Freedom Day USA, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Freedom Day is all about giving back to those who served —Tuscarora Dental will host our fifth annual Freedom Day on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in partnership with Freedom Day USA. Freedom Day USA is a nationwide initiative through which businesses provide complimentary services, goods, and special offers to veterans and active-duty military members as a way of thanking them for their service.

This event is especially important because many veterans do not qualify for comprehensive dental care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. One of the primary eligibility pathways requires a veteran to have a 100% service-connected disability rating or to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability, although the VA has additional limited eligibility categories based on factors such as specific service-connected dental conditions, former prisoner-of-war status, and certain rehabilitation or treatment needs. As a result, many veterans enrolled in VA healthcare are still responsible for obtaining and paying for their own dental care.

When veterans lack dental coverage, necessary care may be postponed until they are experiencing significant pain, infection, broken teeth, tooth loss, or difficulty eating. Oral health affects far more than the teeth and gums—it can influence a person’s ability to eat nutritious foods, speak comfortably, sleep, work, smile confidently, and interact with others without pain or embarrassment. Oral health is an essential part of overall health and can have a meaningful effect on quality of life, self-confidence, emotional well-being, and social connection.

Freedom Day gives us an opportunity not only to address immediate dental needs, but also to help veterans regain comfort, function, confidence, and peace of mind. Most importantly, it allows us to show them that their service and sacrifices are remembered and appreciated. We hope to create an experience in which every veteran feels welcomed, valued, and supported by the entire community.

Over the past four years, our office has served more than 100 veterans and donated over $50,000 in dental care. This year, we hope to care for approximately 50 to 60 veterans and continue growing Freedom Day into a meaningful, community-wide day of service and appreciation.

In addition to providing complimentary dental treatment, this year’s event will include free BBQ for our veterans, live music and entertainment, a photo booth sponsored by SC Studios, local vendors and community organizations, raffle prizes and giveaways, and a swag bag for each veteran.

On a personal level makeup and skincare has been a joy of mine forever — I used to play in my mom’s makeup and do little makeovers as a kid, and it’s still my favorite confidence boost. In my spare time I’m always trying new skincare + makeup and love sharing products that I enjoy with others.

I have a big heart for community work and love helping others to make the world a little better