A new pilot project has launched to make it easier for veterans to book dental appointments.
The project will be implemented at the Armed Forces Centre in Penzance, the latest of six veteran support centres established under Cornwall’s Veterans Reorganisation Project. The project, which launches in October, will make dental treatment more accessible to veterans.
Organizers hope the system will improve access to basic dental services and reduce barriers, particularly for veterans living in rural areas.
Paul Mouncher, who served in the Royal Navy for 28 years and is now a volunteer coordinator at the community centre, explained: “I joined the army as a teenager and when I left I didn’t know where to go for advice or support, even for the most basic needs.
No one explained how to register with a doctor or dentist, or what housing waiting lists looked like – things that are often taken for granted during military service.
“Due to this lack of guidance, many veterans simply don’t know what help and support they are entitled to, making it even harder to reintegrate into daily life.” ”
“These centers have proven to be crucial in connecting the military community, support services, and charities. They provide direct assistance, eliminating the need for veterans to trawl through endless bulletin boards and navigate cumbersome paperwork.”