Clearwater Periodontist Provides Free Surgical Therapy for Veterans Day


Veteran David with Dr. Britten and surgical assistant Jennifer Daly

Veteran David Kennedy of Largo said, “I appreciate what he is doing for me!”

On Friday November 13th, Dr. Todd M. Britten and the team at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry held their 6th annual Day of Care for Veterans. Dr. Britten stated that that dental coverage for veterans for major dental surgery can be very hard to attain, so he and his team “hit the ground running” in 2015 trying to deliver periodontal care to as many veterans as they could.

Dr. Britten says he owes the success of the event for the last 6 years to the help of local dentists, Dr. Carey Bonham, Clearwater Dental Associates (Dr. Keith Kiskaddon, Dr. Nolan Allen, Dr. Matt Burton, and Dr. Jim Hayslett and Dr. Keith Kiskaddon), Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg, Dr. Ira Berger, Dr. Michael Podlusky and the local Community Dental Clinic in Clearwater. Some of the dentists have done extensive restorative treatment such as fillings, crowns, and even implant dentures.

Dr. Britten provides advanced periodontal surgical treatment and dental implant care for veterans in his Clearwater, Florida based periodontal practice. He offers sedation options and high-tech treatment, which can be very helpful to veterans that suffer from PTSD.

For Britten and his team this event is something they look forward to all year long. They keep in touch with veterans from previous events and this year they were able to provide follow up exams, x-rays and periodontal maintenance procedures, which help prevent reinfection of the gums following treatment. “It is always great to see them again and the progress they have made in their oral health. It is touching to be a part of something that has changed someone’s life in such a positive way,” said one of Dr. Britten’s volunteers. Another volunteer hygienist chimed in that her favorite part was “seeing patients return for periodontal maintenance from previous years’ events to help maintain their new healthy smiles.” Veteran David Kennedy of Largo said, “I appreciate what he is doing for me!”

Dr. Britten explained that local restorative dentists and their teams have volunteered each year to help provide comprehensive dental care to our veterans. As a periodontist, Dr. Britten’s specialty is the surrounding structures of the teeth; roots, gum and bone; i.e., the foundation. The restorative specialists have done fillings, crowns, and even full sets of dentures for veterans at no cost each year. “Our practice alone has provided over $56,000 in periodontal procedures for patient,” said a staff member at Britten Periodontics who has helped to coordinate the event each year.

Dr. Britten says he would like to continue this event for the entirety of his career. “I have always respected the sacrifices that our veterans and their whole families had to make to ensure our safety and freedom. The sacrifices are really innumerable.”

Britten Periodontics is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in periodontics, laser therapy and implant dentistry for Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Dental Medicine and Master’s Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at the University of Florida. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He has completed extensive continuing education coursework, including training at the Pankey Institute, Pikos Institute for Advanced Bone Grafting, Misch International Implant Institute and LANAP Institute for advanced Laser Dentistry. His Professional Associations and Memberships include American Board of Periodontology, American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Academy of Osseointegration, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Pinellas County Dental Association, Top Dentist 2015, Florida West Coast Dental Association and he completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. Dr. Britten is part of the one percent of dental professionals offering the FDA cleared laser procedure for gum disease treatment.

Share article on social media or email:

Leave a Reply