Page 8 - Jupiter Spotlight - November '21
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Page 8, Jupiter Spotlight
      Bringing Smiles To Wounded Veterans



      WVRF’s Dental Program



      By Chrystal D. Rambarath                           recent challenge has been to expand dental care access for   dental assistance to qualified veterans. These veterans must
        Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer: What do   veterans and the launch of their dental program.  have a 10 percent or more service-connected disability
      these afflictions have in common? According to the Center     During an emergency dental examination made possible   rating or have an active pending claim, be a Florida resident
      for Disease Control, these and other chronic conditions can   by WVRF, it was detected that one of their veterans was   currently residing in Florida, have been honorably discharged
      be linked to poor oral health. While in some cases, it is yet   suffering from oral cancer. That timely examination caught   from the military, and need emergency dental care. It is the
      to be determined if poor oral health causes these conditions,   an oral cancer that could have been fatal. This startling   WVRF’s intention that the dental program will be expanded,
      it is undeniable that many illnesses can be detected during   realization and the discovery of just how few veterans can   with a location for dental services in each of Florida’s 67
      routine dental checkups. Encouragingly, good oral hygiene   access dental care prompted WVRF to do something. With   counties. In the interim, the nonprofit has the support of at
      and treatment can reduce heart attacks by 35 percent. Though   support of their board of directors and the partnership of one   least 10 local dentists who are ready to donate their services.
      that is good news for Americans who have dental insurance   local dentist, WVRF began to bridge this gap in health care     Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound by
      and those that adhere to their biannual checkups, there is a   for veterans. The lives of at least two veterans were saved   a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of American
      segment of our population for whom this basic care is out   by early diagnoses during a dental examination.  values. They willingly risk their lives and make great
      of reach.                                            In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health is   sacrifices so that their fellow citizens can enjoy freedom,
        Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire,   also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. Veterans   liberty, and all rights that our citizenship allows. When they
      biological and chemical threats, and more. But upon their   have shared that they stopped smiling and experienced poor   return home, and in their time of need, it is our turn to support
      return home, they also face new dangers – threats that make   self-esteem, shame, depression, and job rejections because of   them. We hope that you are moved by the tribulations that
      their transition to civilian life difficult. One silent, almost   the aesthetics and state of their mouths. Gum disease, chronic   confront them. If you are able, we call upon your generosity
      undetectable threat can be found in their mouths. As many   bad breath, tooth decay, and mouth sores result in loss of   to expand the critical services that the dental program offers.
      as 92 percent of veterans served by the Veteran’s Affairs   confidence among veterans as well. These conditions also   You may donate your time, skills, or supplies, attend an event,
      system are ineligible for dental care benefits. Only honorably   jeopardize veterans’ ability to secure a stable job, a critical   become an advocate, or simply spread news of this essential
      discharged veterans with a 100 percent service-connected   aspect of their transition to civilian life. With little financial   endeavor among your family, friends, and networks. To get
      disability qualify for dental care through the VA. Thankfully,   safety nets, a job keeps veterans and their families with roofs   involved or find out more, please call (561) 855-4207, visit
      nonprofits often fill the gaps left unserved by the government   over their heads. With the increased demand among veterans   www.wvrf.org, find us at the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
      and the private sector.                            for mental health care, it is imperative that access to dental   on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow us at WVReliefFund on
        The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), established   care be expanded.                           Twitter and Instagram. As former President Calvin Coolidge
      in 2009, was created to support Florida’s disabled veterans     In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental program.   once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be
      by relieving the financial strains that prevent their transition   It was piloted in Palm Beach County and offers emergency   itself forgotten.”
      to civilian life. They provide temporary emergency financial
                                                                           J UP I TE R  I NL E T  L I GH TH O U S E  &  MU S EUM
      assistance to qualified disabled veterans. The impact of             J  UP  I  TE  R   I  NL  E  T  L  I  GH  TH  O  U  S  E   &   MU  S  EUM
      WVRF’s work is tremendous, considering that Florida is
      home to the third largest population of veterans in the United
      States – more than 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports
      veterans who served in World War II through present day
      conflicts. To date, over 10,000 veterans and their families
      have received more than $5 million in direct financial
      assistance. WVRF’s intervention and work literally keeps
      veteran families from becoming homeless. Beyond this
      support, WVRF is also a major advocate of veterans and
      an ally as they confront obstacles before them. Their most


        Palm Beach                                                                     SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • 6 – 9PM
                                                                                                     Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Waterfront
        County Fire                                           jupiterlighthouse.org            Featuring Area Restaurants • Music • Drinks • Silent Auction
                                                                Tickets on sale at
                                                                                                           $125/person • Tables available

        Rescue                                             Lighthouse Stage   Captain’s Bar                                                    preservation and

                                                                                                                                               Proceeds benefit
                                                              Sponsor
                                                                               Sponsor
                                                                                                                                                education at
        Fire Safety Tips                                                                                                                       501(C)3 nonprofit
                                                                                                                                                 #CH3759
          We have been very fortunate to have not been directly
        impacted by any hurricanes, at least to this point.
        Remember that hurricane season continues until Nov.
        30, but hurricanes have formed in December, so please
        continue to be storm aware and have a plan in place.
          Thanksgiving plans are likely on the minds of many
        residents. To ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable
        dinner, please keep a few things in mind:
          Since the turkey may be in the oven for several hours,
        make sure to start with a freshly cleaned oven. The long-
        term buildup of heat can cause a fire if there is a lot of
        grease, drippings and splatter from previous use.
          If using a deep-fryer, always use it outdoors away
        from anything that may ignite in a flareup, and never
        have the deep-fryer sitting on a wooden deck. Also,
        never  place  a  frozen  turkey  into  the  hot  oil.  For  a
        reference of what can go wrong, do an Internet search
        of the hazards of deep-frying a turkey. Typically, there
        are many fires resulting in serious injuries and damage
        each  year.  Keep  an  extra  watchful  eye  on  children
        around the fryers.
          Having live candles on the table always adds to
        the charm of a festive setting but can present their
        own set of hazards if not attended to and extinguished
        properly. Part of the clearing-the-table process should
        be to extinguish the candles first.
          As with all activities, safety should be the top priority
        to make sure we all stay safe and healthy. However,
        should an unexpected incident, whether fire or medical
        in nature occur, don’t hesitate to dial 9-1-1. Delaying
        the call can have significantly dire consequences.
                                         Steen Eriksson,
                              Professional Firefighters and
                         Paramedics of Palm Beach County,
                                       IAFF Local 2928
                                  HOAN@IAFF2928.com
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