Discharged members of the armed services no longer get dental coverage through the Veterans Health Administration, due to budgetary constraints. The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco has stepped in to fill this gap with a reduced-fee program to ensure veterans have access to affordable care.
“Our clinics serve people from all walks of life and many Bay Area communities, and we are excited to offer this program to men and women who have served their country and are looking to improve both their oral health and overall general health,” said Dr. Sig Abelson, associate dean for clinical affairs at the school.
The program provides services at the Denti-Cal rate, which often is up to 30% or 40% off the typical rate of private dental practices. Payment plans are available for those who qualify. Dental students and residents provide care under faculty supervision at the school’s clinic, located at 155 Fifth Street, accessible by the BART/muni mass transit system.
Procedures include checkups, cleanings, fillings, scaling and root planing, removable partial dentures, crowns, endodontic procedures, implants, and more. Patients with flexible schedules are welcome, as appointments often have extended times, and multiple visits may be required.
Also, the school hosted a clinic that offered free oral health checkups to local veterans on November 17. Conducted by 8 students and 5 faculty and staff volunteers, the examinations included blood pressure checks, oral cancer screenings, dental health screenings, and oral health information.
“Volunteering at this event made me realize that dental care benefits for our veterans are definitely lacking,” said Phillip Duong, a student in the school’s DDS class of 2016. “As a soon-to-be Pacific alumni, I’m so proud of my school for offering extended dental coverage to our veterans. These great men and women deserve it for all they have done for our country.”
The 27 veterans who attended the free checkup also received an oral health gift bag, along with information about the school’s dental services and how to become a patient. To learn more about the school’s ongoing program, veterans should call (415) 929-6501.
Related Articles
Virtual Dental Homes Improve Care and Cut Costs
Minorities Face Disparities in Oral Care
$2.4 Million Grant to Boost Virginia Pediatric Care
