Poor Dental Care Leads to Additional Health Complications for America’s Veterans
Although you probably understand that poor dental care can lead to cavities, other more serious health problems can results. The truth is that if veterans and all those who don’t take proper care of their teeth may face far more serious consequences than a simple toothache or some unsightly stains.
Some of these complications are:
- Cardiovascular disease (heart disease): The bacteria from inflammation of the gums can enter the bloodstream, travel to the arteries in the heart and cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This can cause an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Dementia: The bacteria from gingivitis may enter the brain through either nerve channels in the head or through the bloodstream, which then might even lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Respiratory infections: Gum disease could cause veterans to get infections in the lungs, including pneumonia, resulting from breathing in bacteria related to infected teeth and gums over a long period of time.
- Diabetic complications: Inflammation of the gum tissue can make it harder to control the blood sugar and make diabetes symptoms worse. Diabetes sufferers are also more susceptible to periodontal disease, making proper dental care even more important for those with this disease.
Please consider donating to help our veterans, just give what you are able using the
Dentistsforveterans.com link below:
http://dentistsforveterans.com/donations/
About Dr. Zahedi
Dr. Zahedi is a part-time faculty member at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics and was a full-time Associate Professor at the Department of Advanced Periodontics and Implant Surgery, Loma Linda University, California.
Dr. Zahedi has written some of the most-read scientific articles on how to make implant dentistry more affordable and predictable.
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?