In light of the recent scandals concerning the VA’s mishandling of our veterans, another unfortunate secret emerged: most of America’s veterans receive zero dental benefits or oral care from the VA.
Dr. Charles Zahedi, the founder and Clinical Director of the not-for-profit organization, Dentists for Veterans, is the very first dentist in United States to have started a pilot program to conduct a nationwide study and initiative to precisely assess the feasibility and advisability of furnishing dental care to veterans under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, who are not eligible for dental services and treatment.
By carrying out this pilot program, Dentists for Veterans will enable the Veterans Administration to better specify performance standards and metrics and processes for ensuring compliance with the hopes that these will one day be funded by federally-directed dental treatment programs. In addition, by executing this program, Dentists for Veterans will be able to rapidly identify those veterans who are completely orally disabled.
Until that funding is secured, Dentists for Veterans is rallying patriotic Americans to donate a minimum of $25 to build and furnish mobile dental facilities that will drive around America and treat veterans who lack the funds and means to get proper dental care.
CONTINUE ON PAGE 2 TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP AMERICAN’S VETERANS:
Hey, Dr. Zahedi, I’m not alone. I’ve started an organization – VVOTE – to get dental benefits for us. What is holding us up? Here is what I’m saying so far. Please let me know if we can work together on this. I have little money as I’m a home-bound vet with gov-limited funds but I’m a professional writer.
Here goes. Good luck to you – to us!
Dear (Your representative or whomever you’re writing to) , please do something about the terrible plight of veterans with dental problems.
With few exceptions, the VA is not allowed to provide us any dental services nor transportation to a private dentist.
Years ago a deal was made between certain people in the VA and insurance companies – the latter would provide “low cost dental insurance” ($73/month on my monthly income of $1,800) – and I’d like to know how many millions they – specifically Met Life and Delta – have made on that.
My case – I’m 74 years old and have needed a dentist for the past year. I have not even got to one – my finances (homebound vets are restricted to $2,000 maximum in savings) were wiped out by inaccurate info from VA personnel as to my entitlement to ambulance transportation to VA medical appointments (I had successful cataract surgery several months ago).
I tried to get transportation via MediCal but that proved impossible – there is no transportation in the Bay Area who accepts MediCal.
I am saving my money to go see a private dentist here but the first visit, it will cost me perhaps $600 plus the monthly Met Life fee of $73 – and the dentist will merely look at my teeth and take x-rays!
I believe the VA has all the resources to help us vets but in this one area they are not allowed to provide it to us.
I am sure that now this is brought to your attention you will move to provide us the service we so readily provided our beloved country.
Sincerely,
Pat Howard
US’nAye
VVOTE
Veterans!
Vote for whom?
Any candidate who will act to stop the rip-off of Combat Veterans from dental benefits.
Yes, the fix is in. The VA arranges for “low cost” dental insurance with insurance companies—who make millions off us—instead of giving us the dental service we are entitled to.
Let’s change that! Contact your Congress persons and insist they do! Now!
Vote Veterans on this Election!
Veterans vote on this Election!
THANK YOU!
Let’s go – We can win this one! Does anyone have the history of how this unfortunate situation came about?