Every year, Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) helps veterans struggling with severe oral health issues. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, we’re able to deliver comprehensive dental care through our Donated Dental Services (DDS) program, changing the lives of our nation’s heroes and alleviating pain and discomfort that some have endured for years. Our annual Lifeline Heroes Challenge campaign is crucial to this effort, rallying the support we need to coordinate and provide this vital care for veterans.
One veteran who received care from Dental Lifeline Network is Jay, 62, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran who served for 5 years as a nuclear operator on a submarine. Since 2021, Jay has suffered from heart failure and relies on an implanted mechanical pump to help one side of his heart circulate blood more effectively until he is able to get a heart transplant.
Unfortunately, Jay’s oral health also caused him great difficulty. In 2023, he had all his teeth extracted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to a risk of sepsis from a past infection and in order to qualify for the heart transplant list he desperately needed to be on. While Jay is very thankful for the VA’s help with his heart issues, he did not qualify for dental coverage with the VA.
Unable to chew his food, Jay could not maintain a healthy diet and became increasingly worried about his nutrition. Getting the necessary dental care would be lifechanging for Jay, who could not afford the treatment he needed to have teeth and eat once again.
Thankfully, Jay found the help he needed through Dental Lifeline Network’s DDS program. DLN matched Jay with volunteer dentist Dr. Steven Hochfelder who fabricated a set of full upper and lower dentures for him, generously donated by volunteer lab Sakr Dental Arts. Thanks to these amazing volunteers, Jay received thousands of dollars in donated treatment that restored his mouth and ability to eat again!
“I finally have a mouthful of teeth again!” exclaimed Jay. “Dr. Hochfelder had to rebuild my mouth from scratch, since I had no teeth whatsoever – you have no idea how much of a profound psychological impact this treatment has on me! I’m on the way to becoming a fully functional person again and this is going to aid me in my overall transplant recovery, when that happens. I am so grateful that words can’t begin to describe! Thank you.”
Across the country, more veterans like Jay desperately need support – and you can help. Your gift to the Lifeline Heroes Challenge directly impacts the lives of our nation’s heroes, providing essential dental care to veterans in need.
If you are a dental provider looking for a meaningful way to give back, visit our Volunteer page to learn more and join this vital community.
