More Maine veterans to get access to dental care
Hundreds of veterans got care last year thanks to the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network.
Updated: 1:15 PM EDT Mar 12, 2024
More Maine veterans could soon get dental care thanks to a donation from Northeast Delta Dental.Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that Northeast Delta Dental is giving a $300,000 grant to the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network.The network launched in 2021 and helps Maine veterans who cannot pay out of pocket for dental care and do not have dental insurance. Mills’ office says many veterans who have utilized the program have shared that it was their first time accessing oral health care since separating from the military.Services are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis until grant funding is exhausted.Last year, the program received 659 requests for care; 503 veterans qualified for the program and were provided 920 comprehensive dental services. With this new funding, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services will begin reaching out to 156 veterans who had referrals pending at the end of 2023. To qualify for the MVDN, the veteran must meet the following criteria:Be a Maine resident.Not 100% service-connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Cannot afford to pay for dental care out of pocket.Does not have dental insurance.Must submit a DD-214 that shows an Honorable or General Under Honorable conditions discharge.For National Guard Only – Served on Active Duty (other than for training).The Network has 23 non-profit dental clinics, FQHCs, and Maine Dental Teaching Schools participating, including: Lincoln County Dental (Wiscasset); Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry (Augusta); Waterville Community Dental; the UNE Dental Clinic (Portland); the UMA Dental Clinic (Bangor); Katahdin Valley Health Center (Houlton, Patten, Ashland, Brownville, Millinocket, and Dover Foxcroft); Greater Portland Health; St. Croix Regional Family Health Center (Princeton); Eastport Health Care (Eastport); Fish River Rural Health (Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Eagle Lake); Community Dental (Biddeford, Portland, Farmington, and Lewiston), Mainely Teeth (Portland and mobile dental clinic), and Penobscot Community Health Center (Bangor).Veterans who are interested can apply online by visiting: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/veteransdentalAny questions or requests for re-connection should be directed via email to [email protected] or by phone at (207) 287-6836.
More Maine veterans could soon get dental care thanks to a donation from Northeast Delta Dental.
Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that Northeast Delta Dental is giving a $300,000 grant to the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network.
The network launched in 2021 and helps Maine veterans who cannot pay out of pocket for dental care and do not have dental insurance. Mills’ office says many veterans who have utilized the program have shared that it was their first time accessing oral health care since separating from the military.
Services are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis until grant funding is exhausted.
Last year, the program received 659 requests for care; 503 veterans qualified for the program and were provided 920 comprehensive dental services. With this new funding, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services will begin reaching out to 156 veterans who had referrals pending at the end of 2023.
To qualify for the MVDN, the veteran must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Maine resident.
- Not 100% service-connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Cannot afford to pay for dental care out of pocket.
- Does not have dental insurance.
- Must submit a DD-214 that shows an Honorable or General Under Honorable conditions discharge.
- For National Guard Only – Served on Active Duty (other than for training).
The Network has 23 non-profit dental clinics, FQHCs, and Maine Dental Teaching Schools participating, including: Lincoln County Dental (Wiscasset); Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry (Augusta); Waterville Community Dental; the UNE Dental Clinic (Portland); the UMA Dental Clinic (Bangor); Katahdin Valley Health Center (Houlton, Patten, Ashland, Brownville, Millinocket, and Dover Foxcroft); Greater Portland Health; St. Croix Regional Family Health Center (Princeton); Eastport Health Care (Eastport); Fish River Rural Health (Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Eagle Lake); Community Dental (Biddeford, Portland, Farmington, and Lewiston), Mainely Teeth (Portland and mobile dental clinic), and Penobscot Community Health Center (Bangor).
Veterans who are interested can apply online by visiting: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/veteransdental
Any questions or requests for re-connection should be directed via email to [email protected] or by phone at (207) 287-6836.