Page 14 - Boca Exposure - November '21

Page 14, Boca Exposure
Bringing Smiles To Wounded Veterans

WVRF’s Dental Program

By Chrystal D. Rambarath Veteran’s Affairs system are ineligible for dental care mouths. Gum disease, chronic bad breath, tooth decay,
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer: benefits. Only honorably discharged veterans with a 100 and mouth sores result in loss of confidence among
What do these afflictions have in common? According to percent service-connected disability qualify for dental veterans as well. These conditions also jeopardize
the Center for Disease Control, these and other chronic care through the VA. Thankfully, nonprofits often fill veterans’ ability to secure a stable job, a critical aspect
conditions can be linked to poor oral health. While in the gaps left unserved by the government and the private of their transition to civilian life. With little financial
some cases, it is yet to be determined if poor oral health sector. safety nets, a job keeps veterans and their families with
causes these conditions, it is undeniable that many The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), roofs over their heads. With the increased demand among
illnesses can be detected during routine dental checkups. established in 2009, was created to support Florida’s veterans for mental health care, it is imperative that access
Encouragingly, good oral hygiene and treatment can disabled veterans by relieving the financial strains that to dental care be expanded.
reduce heart attacks by 35 percent. Though that is good prevent their transition to civilian life. They provide In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental
news for Americans who have dental insurance and those temporary emergency financial assistance to qualified program. It was piloted in Palm Beach County and
that adhere to their biannual checkups, there is a segment disabled veterans. The impact of WVRF’s work is offers emergency dental assistance to qualified veterans.
of our population for whom this basic care is out of reach. tremendous, considering that Florida is home to the These veterans must have a 10 percent or more service-
Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire, third largest population of veterans in the United States connected disability rating or have an active pending
biological and chemical threats, and more. But upon – more than 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports claim, be a Florida resident currently residing in Florida,
their return home, they also face new dangers – threats veterans who served in World War II through present day have been honorably discharged from the military, and
that make their transition to civilian life difficult. One conflicts. To date, over 10,000 veterans and their families need emergency dental care. It is the WVRF’s intention
silent, almost undetectable threat can be found in their have received more than $5 million in direct financial that the dental program will be expanded, with a location
mouths. As many as 92 percent of veterans served by the assistance. WVRF’s intervention and work literally keeps for dental services in each of Florida’s 67 counties. In
veteran families from becoming homeless. Beyond this the interim, the nonprofit has the support of at least 10
support, WVRF is also a major advocate of veterans and
local dentists who are ready to donate their services.
Quadrapill For an ally as they confront obstacles before them. Their most by a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of
Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound
recent challenge has been to expand dental care access
BP Control for veterans and the launch of their dental program. American values. They willingly risk their lives and make
great sacrifices so that their fellow citizens can enjoy
During an emergency dental examination made

freedom, liberty, and all rights that our citizenship allows.
possible by WVRF, it was detected that one of their
veterans was suffering from oral cancer. That timely When they return home, and in their time of need, it is
By Steven E. Reznick, examination caught an oral cancer that could have been our turn to support them. We hope that you are moved by
M.D., FACP fatal. This startling realization and the discovery of just the tribulations that confront them. If you are able, we
At the beginning of how few veterans can access dental care prompted WVRF call upon your generosity to expand the critical services
each patient visit I make to do something. With support of their board of directors that the dental program offers. You may donate your time,
it a habit to meticulously and the partnership of one local dentist, WVRF began to skills, or supplies, attend an event, become an advocate,
review with each patient bridge this gap in health care for veterans. The lives of at or simply spread news of this essential endeavor among
their list of medications, least two veterans were saved by early diagnoses during your family, friends, and networks. To get involved or find
supplements, vitamins, a dental examination. out more, please call (561) 855-4207, visit www.wvrf.org,
herbs, etc. I compare their In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health find us at the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund on Facebook
list with the lists on notes is also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. and LinkedIn, or follow us at WVReliefFund on Twitter
sent to me from consulting Veterans have shared that they stopped smiling and and Instagram. As former President Calvin Coolidge once
specialty physicians and experienced poor self-esteem, shame, depression, and said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself
then I access the pharmacy prescribing database whenever job rejections because of the aesthetics and state of their forgotten.”
it is available.
I am always amazed by how many chemicals we put into Serving over 108,000 satisfied customers since 1976
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