Page 2 - Southern Exposure - November '21

Page 2, Southern Exposure

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Bringing Smiles To Wounded Veterans

– WVRF’s Dental Program

By Chrystal D. Rambarath
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer: to expand the critical services that the dental program offers. www.wvrf.org, find us at the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
What do these afflictions have in common? According to You may donate your time, skills, or supplies, attend an event, on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow us at WVReliefFund on
the Center for Disease Control, these and other chronic become an advocate, or simply spread news of this essential Twitter and Instagram. As former President Calvin Coolidge
conditions can be linked to poor oral health. While in some endeavor among your family, friends, and networks. To get once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be
cases, it is yet to be determined if poor oral health causes involved or find out more, please call (561) 855-4207, visit itself forgotten.”
these conditions, it is undeniable that many illnesses can
be detected during routine dental checkups. Encouragingly,
who have dental insurance and those that adhere to their cataractsurgery: Reimagined!
good oral hygiene and treatment can reduce heart attacks
by 35 percent. Though that is good news for Americans

biannual checkups, there is a segment of our population for
whom this basic care is out of reach.
Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire, biological
and chemical threats, and more. But upon their return home,
they also face new dangers – threats that make their transition
to civilian life difficult. One silent, almost undetectable threat IV-FREE
can be found in their mouths. As many as 92 percent of veterans
served by the Veteran’s Affairs system are ineligible for dental
care benefits. Only honorably discharged veterans with a 100 CataractSurgery
percent service-connected disability qualify for dental care
through the VA. Thankfully, nonprofits often fill the gaps left
unserved by the government and the private sector.
The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), established
in 2009, was created to support Florida’s disabled veterans
by relieving the financial strains that prevent their transition
to civilian life. They provide temporary emergency financial Nowofferinghassle-FREE,
assistance to qualified disabled veterans. The impact of
WVRF’s work is tremendous, considering that Florida is stress-FREE,office-based
home to the third largest population of veterans in the United
States – more than 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports CataractSurgery.
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 ScheduleanapptonlineMittlemanEye.com
veteran families from becoming homeless. Beyond this
support, WVRF is also a major advocate of veterans and an CallorText 561-500-2020
ally as they confront obstacles before them. Their most recent
challenge has been to expand dental care access for veterans
and the launch of their dental program.
During an emergency dental examination made possible
by WVRF, it was detected that one of their veterans was
suffering from oral cancer. That timely examination caught WestPalmBeach•Jupiter/Gardens
an oral cancer that could have been fatal. This startling
realization and the discovery of just how few veterans can
access dental care prompted WVRF to do something. With
support of their board of directors and the partnership of one
local dentist, WVRF began to bridge this gap in health care
for veterans. The lives of at least two veterans were saved
by early diagnoses during a dental examination.
In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health is
also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. Veterans
have shared that they stopped smiling and experienced poor
self-esteem, shame, depression, and job rejections because of
the aesthetics and state of their mouths. Gum disease, chronic
bad breath, tooth decay, and mouth sores result in loss of
confidence among veterans as well. These conditions also
jeopardize veterans’ ability to secure a stable job, a critical
aspect of their transition to civilian life. With little financial
safety nets, a job keeps veterans and their families with roofs
over their heads. With the increased demand among veterans
for mental health care, it is imperative that access to dental
care be expanded. • Screen Doors & Window Screens
In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental program. • Hardware Repacement
It was piloted in Palm Beach County and offers emergency • Impact/Non-Impact Glass
dental assistance to qualified veterans. These veterans must • Custom Frameless Showers
have a 10 percent or more service-connected disability
rating or have an active pending claim, be a Florida resident
currently residing in Florida, have been honorably discharged
from the military, and need emergency dental care. It is the
WVRF’s intention that the dental program will be expanded, 561-404-1727
with a location for dental services in each of Florida’s 67
counties. In the interim, the nonprofit has the support of at
least 10 local dentists who are ready to donate their services. Buy 1 & Get The 2nd
Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound $
by a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of 50 OFF
American values. They willingly risk their lives and make
great sacrifices so that their fellow citizens can enjoy freedom, Bear Industry Screen
liberty, and all rights that our citizenship allows. When they
return home, and in their time of need, it is our turn to support 12/12/21. 12/12/21. 12/12/21. 12/12/21.
them. We hope that you are moved by the tribulations that
confront them. If you are able, we call upon your generosity