http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veterans-dental-care_56426cc3e4b0f128bfdafef0
As part of its growing efforts to support underserved patients, Aspen Dental, which has more than 500 offices nationwide, dispensed a mobile unit throughout the country for the first time last year…
Before connecting with Aspen, Bell says his mouth’s decrepit state turned him into a recluse… “I didn’t go out in public,” Bell said. “I had such an ugly smile, I didn’t get out at all.”
He told HuffPost that the VA repeatedly turned him down for dental care and didn’t provide him with any information about potential plans he could even pay for. The VA does offer veterans the opportunity to purchase dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost, Meagan Lutz, VA press officer, told HuffPost.
While Bell didn’t have the confidence to leave the house, or resources to take care of his oral hygiene, he did his best to deal with his other plaguing medical issues, which were covered by the VA. In 2010, cancer led the Arkansas man to have a kidney removed. He’s now in remission. Bell was also facing diabetes, which he says is now at bay after he lost 90 pounds.
Though Bell also had big dreams of becoming a pilot with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, he felt he had no chance of getting accepted because of his appearance. But Bell says he’s now feeling confident about putting those plans into action after getting a full workup at an Aspen Dental office in Bryant, Arkansas…
Through its Healthy Mouth Movement, the organization dispenses a mobile office to 30 states throughout the year. Local Aspen dentists and hygienists volunteer to work on the tractor-trailer when it comes through town, which handles services from X-rays to extractions.
Back in June, Aspen dentists committed a day of service on a Saturday to seeing underserved veterans and, starting Veterans Day, it’s offering a 25 percent discount to any vet through the end of 2015…
(Photo taken by my sister at the 2013 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.)