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Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 9
Bringing Smiles To Wounded Veterans
WVRF’s Dental Program
By Chrystal D. Rambarath During an emergency dental examination made possible When they return home, and in their time of need, it is our
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer: What do by WVRF, it was detected that one of their veterans was turn to support them. We hope that you are moved by the
these afflictions have in common? According to the Center suffering from oral cancer. That timely examination caught tribulations that confront them. If you are able, we call upon
for Disease Control, these and other chronic conditions can an oral cancer that could have been fatal. This startling your generosity to expand the critical services that the dental
be linked to poor oral health. While in some cases, it is yet realization and the discovery of just how few veterans can program offers. You may donate your time, skills, or supplies,
to be determined if poor oral health causes these conditions, access dental care prompted WVRF to do something. With attend an event, become an advocate, or simply spread news
it is undeniable that many illnesses can be detected during support of their board of directors and the partnership of of this essential endeavor among your family, friends, and
routine dental checkups. Encouragingly, good oral hygiene and one local dentist, WVRF began to bridge this gap in health networks. To get involved or find out more, please call
treatment can reduce heart attacks by 35 percent. Though that is care for veterans. The lives of at least two veterans were (561) 855-4207, visit www.wvrf.org, find us at the Wounded
good news for Americans who have dental insurance and those saved by early diagnoses during a dental examination. Veterans Relief Fund on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow
that adhere to their biannual checkups, there is a segment of our In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health us at WVReliefFund on Twitter and Instagram. As former
population for whom this basic care is out of reach. is also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which
Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire, Veterans have shared that they stopped smiling and forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”
biological and chemical threats, and more. But upon their experienced poor self-esteem, shame, depression, and
return home, they also face new dangers – threats that make job rejections because of the aesthetics and state of their
their transition to civilian life difficult. One silent, almost mouths. Gum disease, chronic bad breath, tooth decay, and
undetectable threat can be found in their mouths. As many mouth sores result in loss of confidence among veterans
as 92 percent of veterans served by the Veteran’s Affairs as well. These conditions also jeopardize veterans’ ability
system are ineligible for dental care benefits. Only honorably to secure a stable job, a critical aspect of their transition
discharged veterans with a 100 percent service-connected to civilian life. With little financial safety nets, a job keeps
disability qualify for dental care through the VA. Thankfully, veterans and their families with roofs over their heads. With
nonprofits often fill the gaps left unserved by the government the increased demand among veterans for mental health
and the private sector. care, it is imperative that access to dental care be expanded.
The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), established In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental program.
in 2009, was created to support Florida’s disabled veterans It was piloted in Palm Beach County and offers emergency
by relieving the financial strains that prevent their transition dental assistance to qualified veterans. These veterans must
to civilian life. They provide temporary emergency financial have a 10 percent or more service-connected disability
assistance to qualified disabled veterans. The impact of rating or have an active pending claim, be a Florida
WVRF’s work is tremendous, considering that Florida is resident currently residing in Florida, have been honorably
home to the third largest population of veterans in the United discharged from the military, and need emergency dental
States – more than 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports care. It is the WVRF’s intention that the dental program
veterans who served in World War II through present day will be expanded, with a location for dental services in
conflicts. To date, over 10,000 veterans and their families each of Florida’s 67 counties. In the interim, the nonprofit
have received more than $5 million in direct financial has the support of at least 10 local dentists who are ready
assistance. WVRF’s intervention and work literally keeps to donate their services.
veteran families from becoming homeless. Beyond this Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound
support, WVRF is also a major advocate of veterans and by a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of
an ally as they confront obstacles before them. Their most American values. They willingly risk their lives and make
recent challenge has been to expand dental care access for great sacrifices so that their fellow citizens can enjoy
veterans and the launch of their dental program. freedom, liberty, and all rights that our citizenship allows.
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2021-2022 Season
Season Sponsor: Stephen Brown and Jamie Stern
WORLD
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