Vietnam veteran Dennis Matthews recently launched a non-profit organization to help veterans get dental care, reports the Daily Herald in Utah.
New Smiles for Veterans began in November with the goal of getting dentists to “adopt” one veteran a month. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides limited dental care to veterans.
“Eligibility and benefits for Veteran Dental Care are limited by law and categorized into VA dental classifications or classes,” according to the VA. “If you are a Veteran who has recently served (e.g. OEF/OIF/OND), you may be entitled to a one-time course of free dental care, but you must apply for dental care within 180 days of your discharge (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more.
Matthews is now partnered with 30 dentists and has helped 35 veterans so far and is looking to expand the non-profit to help more veterans.
One dentist, Dr. Nathan Huntington from Huntington Dental in Mount Pleasant, Utah, told the Daily Herald his involvement was “a great way to help out and use my services to give back” to veterans.
Matthews said he plans to keep growing his organization through Utah, and hopefully beyond.
“Most of these veterans I talk to are very moved, very emotional about it,” Matthews said. “It’s a good service to them, so I’m going to keep working on it. I’m looking for funds and I’m looking for more dentists.”
Vietnam vet helps other veterans get access to dental care
