Mission

The mission of Dentistry4Vets is to provide quality dental care and dental hygiene to eligible veterans living in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

The Big Idea

Dentistry4Vets provides 1) Quality dental and hygiene care; 2) Comprehensive care to include specialists; 3) Continuity of care for long-term dental health; 4) Cost-benefit of care 5) Ease of care because the office only treats veterans.

Unless very specific requirements are met, such as having been a POW, the VA does not include dental care in the veteran medical benefits. The majority of veterans do not meet these requirements and are not able to afford proper dental care.

Without preventive care and treatment for early forms of dental disease, the more likely the disease will progress. A high percentage of veterans have missing teeth and are suffering from the infection and pain associated with abscessed teeth. Having few to no teeth spirals into a severely unhealthy existence including:
+ poor nutrition leading to physical illnesses
+ embarrassment causing withdrawal from society
+ chronic pain leading to depression/substance abuse

Paraphrased from feedback surveys: …In addition to my pain level, frankly my mouth looked like crap adding to my depression issues... I look and feel so much better now. I can smile and laugh without feeling embarrassed about it… I’ve made new friends that I go out with once or twice a week… It’s been a boost to my self-esteem, which in turn has helped with some depression issues. - preferred to remain anonymous …the extraction has cleared up the inflammation areas... I just got hired as a recruiter for a transportation company and I feel more confident when I’m doing presentations… I’m excited to live with a more confident smile. - Doreen Soto

- Doreen Soto