Page 9 - PGA Community News - August '23

August 2023 August 2023 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 9
Wounded Veterans Relief Fund Leads Statewide Effort

To Provide Dental Care To Veterans In Florida

Driven by their and living situations. Specific benefits are assigned to each
mission to improve class, meaning not all veterans may receive comprehensive
veteran dental care dental care. Only veterans who are 100 percent disabled
throughout the state of or sustained an oral injury while serving are given dental
Florida, the Wounded care at the VA.
Veterans Relief Fund WVRF Executive Director and Army Veteran Michael
(WVRF) is the first Durkee said the low VA dental care statistic is a critical
nonprofit in the state to concern, as poor oral health can lead to a range of serious
lead the statewide effort health and mental issues, placing more burdens on our
to offer free critical military members who already face challenges when
dental care to veterans who are unable to afford dental care transitioning back to civilian life.
and do not have access to care through the United States The connection between poor dental hygiene and Before After
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or private insurance. mental health issues is evident. According to the American
According to the VA, only 15 percent of veterans Academy of Family Physicians, 60 percent of veterans
receive VA dental care, which places veterans into benefits with mental health conditions have fair to poor oral health,
classes based on military service history and current health with 33 percent finding it difficult to eat due to dental

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This veteran-led nonprofit is filling in the gaps when
it comes to veteran dental care by partnering with oral
health professionals and clinics across the state to provide
veterans with access to the critical dental care they
deserve. Partners include over 60 independent dental
offices statewide, The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, Nobel
Biocare, and Quantum Foundation.
“We are thrilled to be the first organization in the state
to provide this much-needed service to veterans,” Durkee
said. “We believe that every veteran deserves access to
quality dental care, and we are committed to working with
our partners to make this a reality.”
Dishes, Glasses, Furniture dental support in 2023 and has donated over $1 million to
WVRF has already funded $332,419.74 in veteran
Copies, Fax Service, Notary, US Mail, Stamps veteran dental care since the start of the program in 2021.
Florida State House Bill 635: Dental Services for Veterans
was approved and signed by the Florida Governor, and
now can give this Florida nonprofit the needed funding in
order to extend its dental program to a larger number of
qualified Florida disabled veterans. The Florida Governor
signed the proposed bill on May 26.
A list of basic qualification criteria is listed at wvrf.
org. Veterans who qualify for assistance and are interested
in dental care should contact their VA social worker or
Phone: 561-799-3900 County Veteran Service Officer to submit a dental referral
10130 Northlake Blvd. #214 to WVRF.

West Palm Beach, FL. 33412 Fax: 561-799-3905 Wounded Veterans Relief Fund on page 10
Cell: 561-598-4413

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