Dental program for veterans resumes at 新香港六合彩资料鈥檚 Oral Health Center
The 新香港六合彩资料鈥檚 Oral Health Center in Portland is one of several locations across the state participating in a program to provide free care to veterans through the Maine Veterans鈥 Dental Network (MVDN).
鈥淚t is a great way to help veterans in our community,鈥 commented Albert Abena, D.D.S., assistant dean for Community Partnerships in the College of Dental Medicine. 鈥淭here are so many barriers for them to get care, and finances are a big issue.鈥
The MVDN resumed its dental service program in 2022 for Maine veterans who otherwise cannot afford care, thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental.
鈥淲e are both honored and fortunate to be able to assist in this very worthy cause,鈥 Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, said in a statement.
新香港六合彩资料 will receive $16,500 to provide care for veterans who qualify. Services will be provided by College of Dental Medicine students who are overseen by faculty.
鈥淲e are thankful for Northeast Delta Dental鈥檚 incredible support of the MVDN,鈥 stated Nicole Kimmes, interim dean of 新香港六合彩资料鈥檚 College of Dental Medicine. 鈥淭he mission of our college is to improve the health of Northern New England. By participating in the veteran鈥檚 dental network, not only are we able to improve veteran鈥檚 access to dental care, we are able to provide an opportunity for our students to serve those who made sacrifices for our country.鈥
The Maine Bureau of Veteran鈥檚 Services (MBVS) has created a state-wide referral system that assists in connecting veterans to participating clinics. Any veteran who is not 100% service-connected to the Veteran鈥檚 Administration (VA), does not have dental insurance, and cannot afford to pay for dental care out of pocket can register for the program.
鈥淢y Administration is committed to doing all we can to serve and honor our servicemembers and this partnership is critical to their overall health and wellbeing,鈥 Governor Janet Mills said in a statement released by her office. 鈥淭his is another step forward in our commitment to serving and honoring Maine veterans.鈥
Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.
鈥淲e are very hopeful, now that a foundation has been created for this program, it will continue to grow,鈥 stated Sarah Sherman, director of strategic partnerships for MBVS.