Behind the Scenes at Veterans Dental
Veterans Dental Network is a public charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by the law. The tax ID number of Veterans Dental Network is 88-0659122. For more information, please contact Amanda Siegner, Executive Director, at 913-912-0375 or amanda@vetdentalnetwork.org
A 2011-2014 NHANES study showed that Veterans who present with outcome variables included decayed teeth (DT), missing teeth (MT), filled teeth (FT), caries experience (DMFT), and periodontitis (PD). Additionally, it suggests that there is substantial unmet oral health care need primarily related to periodontitis among veterans and the prevalence of adverse oral health conditions are higher among veterans compared to non veterans.
Citation David K Schindler, DC, USAF, Gabriela V Lopez Mitnik, MS, MPhil, Aida M Soliván-Ortiz, DC, USAF, Scott P Irwin, DC, USAF, Shahdokht Boroumand, DMD, MPH, Bruce A Dye, DC, USPHS (Ret.), Oral Health Status Among Adults With and Without Prior Active Duty Service in the U.S. Armed Forces, NHANES 2011-2014, Military Medicine, Volume 186, Issue 1-2, January-February 2021, Pages e149–e159, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa355
If you've ever been to the dentist's office, you know that care can be expensive and costs aren't always known up front. Dental insurance often only pays a certain percentage of the total cost of a procedure, and may not pay for extra add on service, the newest technique, or upgraded equipment used.
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Now, put yourself in the shoes of an individual who has had their healthcare & dental care taken care of for the last 4-20+ years. Suddenly, they are thrust into the world of medical and dental insurance, most likely through the VA unless fully retired through the military, and now they must figure everything out on their own. Upon separation from service, many of our Veterans often go back to college, or take time to work on their mental health or focus on family, and don't have a job that provides dental insurance right away.
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They may try to go to the VA and ask for care, but unless they have a service connected condition that would affect their teeth and/or jaw, they won't be eligible. The VA offers assistance in finding dental insurance through partners like Delta Dental and MetLife, but they still require monthly premiums and high cost shares.
