IRONWOOD, Mich. (WLUC) — At Gogebic Community College on Tuesday, activists and organizers worked to raise awareness about how veterans can access dental care.
A recent survey by UPCAP found many veterans in the Upper Peninsula do not receive regular dental care through the VA system.
Holli Seabury, Executive Director of the Delta Dental Foundation, explained why oral health is important for overall well-being.
“We often think the mouth is separate from the body,” Seabury said. “But the blood supply in our teeth and gums connects to the entire body. Infections and bacteria in the mouth can affect conditions like diabetes and heart disease.”
Currently, most veterans do not qualify for full or consistent dental coverage from the VA.
Frank Lombard, Program Manager for UPCAP’s U.P. Veterans Program, said veterans without VA dental coverage may wait years between dental visits.
“Veterans not eligible for VA dental care face many barriers,” Lombard said. “Some have gone 10 years or more without seeing a dentist.”
The UPCAP survey found that 33 veterans even reported pulling their own teeth.
These troubling statistics motivated Lombard to organize dental health forums across the region.
He hopes veterans’ personal stories will prompt lawmakers to close gaps in dental care eligibility.
“We want to spread the word to veterans,” Lombard said. “We encourage them to share their experiences. We hope to record testimonies from veterans who have struggled to get dental care.”
A public forum will be held Wednesday at noon Eastern time at the South Range VFW Post 6165.
