For many veterans who have selflessly served our nation, the inability to access dental care creates considerable hardship in their lives after service. Because oral health is directly connected to overall health, dental problems can affect more than just the mouth; they can also worsen existing health conditions and impact overall wellbeing. This was the reality for Donated Dental Services (DDS) patient Murice.
An Air Force veteran living alone in New Orleans, Murice, 68, is one of many veterans who struggle with inaccessible dental care. Already dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, depression, and inflammation in his legs, Murice’s oral health problems added another layer of difficulty to his existing challenges.
Murice learned about Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) through a fellow veteran, and when he came to the DDS program for help, he was experiencing severe pain in his mouth and struggling to eat. Having last seen a dentist in 2021, Murice had only 7 upper and 8 lower teeth remaining, all in poor condition, which restricted his diet to soft foods and caused him to live with the constant fear of choking. With no dental insurance and surviving solely on his supplemental security income and VA disability, Murice could not afford the dental treatment he needed to restore his oral health.
DDS Volunteers Restore Health and Hope
Thankfully, this all changed when Murice applied for the DDS program and a caring team of DDS volunteers stepped in to help! Murice was treated by dentist and DLN•LA Board member Dr. Frank Martello, who completed 14 extractions and provided Murice with a full upper denture and partial lower denture with the help of Selser Dental Lab. Through these compassionate volunteers, Murice received thousands of dollars in donated care that restored his oral health and allowed him to eat pain-free and without fear of choking.
With his oral health restored, Murice can now smile more confidently, enjoy improved mental and physical wellbeing, connect with new people, and eat foods he hasn’t been able to eat in years.
“I am enjoying my smile. It’s done more than just give me a good look – my mental and physical health have also been in a good place since. I talk a lot more, sometimes too much, and I’m meeting people once again,” said Murice, reflecting on the impact of his treatment. “Thanks for everything. Now I will forever be smiling at the world instead of frowning.”
Volunteer or Give to Transform Lives
For over 50 years, Dental Lifeline Network’s DDS program has been changing the lives of individuals in need of dental care across the nation, including veterans. Currently, 15,000 volunteer dentists, specialists, and labs volunteer through the DDS program – but more help is needed.
“I urge doctors to volunteer their time and talents to treat a patient from DLN. I promise they will not be disappointed,” said Dr. Frank Martello. “It’s so good to be able to practice dentistry in its purest form — to use your gifts to help others. Dental Lifeline Network’s DDS program links us in the most efficient way to patients who urgently need our skills. The DDS patients I’ve seen over four decades have been great and so grateful for the help.”
Whether you are a dental professional or someone seeking to give, DLN makes it easy to give back and help our nation’s heroes who are in need of dental care. There are currently many veterans across the United States like Murice who are awaiting the essential dental care that could transform their lives.
If you are looking to give, visit dentallifeline.org/lifelineheroesvets and learn how you can make an impact for veterans in need.
If you are a dental professional, learn how you can make a difference and sign up to volunteer at WhyIDental.org.
