WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A proposed grant making its way through the state legislature would expand dental health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What You Need To Know
- The program would cost around $5 million but could help thousands of veterans who are unable to afford dental care
- According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, 41 percent of veterans described their oral health as fair or poor
- The Veterans Dental Care Grant would create a program under the umbrella of the Florida VA
The program would cost around $5 million but could help thousands of veterans who are unable to afford dental care, which can be extremely costly.
The Veterans Dental Care Grant would create a program under the umbrella of the Florida VA. Funds would be given out to dental organizations to provide care at no or very little cost to the patient.
One organization that would benefit from the grant is Stars, Stripes, and Smiles run by Dentist Dr. Zack Kalarickal, based in Wesley Chapel.
It’s an organization that helps thousands of veterans get emergency dental care for vets.
“Our objective is to provide one day of service where we can help veterans get the relief from pain from untreated dental disease,” Kalarickal said.
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, 41% of veterans described their oral health as fair or poor.
Having dental issues can lead to even more serious diseases or infections.
