Why we’re offering free dental care for vets next weekend

I’m here to take care of a whole person, not just one tooth — that’s what I tell each and every patient I see at my dental practice in Boynton Beach. Many Americans don’t realize the impact oral health has on overall wellbeing. When my team creates a treatment plan for our patients, we look at the whole picture: bloodwork, medication, past procedures, family history. Each of these factors are critical to managing care.

When left unchecked, poor oral hygiene is a serious matter. It’s been linked to a number of significant health outcomes like increased risk of diabetes, heart issues and even stroke, not to mention periodontitis (gum disease) and cavities.

Access to dental treatment is a need that all Americans deserve. In my years of practice, I’ve seen the many barriers that prevent patients from receiving care, including financial difficulties, time constraints and fear. But one group in particular faces a unique challenge — our nation’s military veterans.

Most primarily rely on health insurance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), yet this insurance does not cover dental care unless a military veteran is one hundred percent disabled, has a service-related mouth injury or was a prisoner of war. This means that only 8% of veterans covered by the VA are eligible for dental insurance — an astonishingly low number that demonstrates the sheer amount of veterans left in the lurch.

To help combat this issue, my practice is opening its doors to military veterans on Saturday for a day of free care. It’s all part of Aspen Dental’s Healthy Mouth Movement, when doctors and care teams across the country unite to advance health care for veterans. Since 2014, teams have served over 30,000 veterans and people in need with $23 million in donated dentistry.

Getting involved in this day of service has been a truly rewarding experience. We’ve helped quite a few patients receive new smiles through implant procedures, and even adopted one Coast Guard veteran to be the recipient of ongoing, free care. He had been delaying care in order to prioritize paying for his wife’s ongoing health treatments, and we were thrilled to create a whole new smile through new crowns and a partial denture placed that same day. After the event, he even came in a few more times for follow up care to ensure everything was working properly.

I’m honored to have participated in this movement and make a difference in the lives of underserved community members. Here in Florida, many veterans are aging and require specialized care. They don’t realize how a diabetes diagnosis can lead to gum disease that requires specified oral health treatment. My team is committed to working with specialists and other health care professionals, all in the name of providing care for the whole person.

I couldn’t be prouder of my team for stepping up and providing care to our nation’s heroes in years past, and we look forward to honoring our veterans during this year’s day of service. We’re happy to make a difference in our local community, but I know systemic change can only come when we all work together. Looking forward, I ask that all health care professionals across our state identify solutions to improving access to care. By intentionally addressing the barriers that underserved populations commonly face, we can make a real difference in the lives of our patients.

Veterans can call 1-844-277-3646 to find a location and schedule an appointment near them.