Jackson dentist gives veteran thousands in free dental work
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A local Vietnam-era veteran received thousands of dollars worth of free dental care. The dentist who did the work also served in the military. “I was ashamed for people to see how bad my teeth were,” Michael Lowe, a veteran, said. Lowe says he probably lived with a toothache every day for 10 years. The Army veteran said he grew a beard to cover it up and rarely smiled. “They just one by one started going bad, and me not going to the dentist and getting them fixed, they just hurt,” he said. Lowe said he could not afford to see a dentist and his insurance through the military does not cover dental care. Lowe saw a commercial advertising a day of free dental work for veterans at Aspen Dental and booked an appointment. “You had to see the expression on doc’s face. He was like ‘oh, crap,'” he said. Dr. Elliot Dudley, a Marine Corps veteran, pulled out almost all of Lowe‘s teeth and fitted him with dentures free of charge. “A lot of times veterans make the ultimate sacrifice, and even if they don’t they agree to, so I think it’s important,” Dudley said. To show his appreciation, Lowe brings flowers for the staff at Aspen Dental when he comes for appointments. “Michael and people like Michael that serve our country are the reason why we’re free,” Dudley said. Lowe said he now lives life pain free and gets to eat. “I’m still working up to a steak, but I’m going to get there,” he said. Lowe also got rid of the beard. “Now that I have teeth, I’m kind of proud I had to shave it off so you can see them,” he said. Lowe said he served six years in the military and did two temporary duties overseas in Saigon and Iran.
