One of the many goals of the MSDA is to increase access to care for underserved populations.  The MSDA and the MSDA Foundation have been working to achieve this through programs such as Missions of Mercy and Give Kids A Smile. In addition to our work in the policy arena to increase Medicaid reimbursements and work on reforming dental insurance for members, we have also been working to ensure funding for the Dent-Care Loan Reimbursement program to help increase providers in designated Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA).

As we seek to increase access to care, there is a population that we often don’t think about who are lacking dental care – our veterans. Right around 82 percent of veterans enrolled in the VA health care system are ineligible for VA dental benefits. Unfortunately, to receive dental care, the VA has very strict guidelines, leaving out most of our veterans.

With this background, the ADA has created a new program under the leadership of our own Dr. George Shepley called Give Veterans a Smile to be launched in October. Through this initiative, the ADA is encouraging dentists to provide pro bono oral health care services to veterans in need during the month of November, and then offer to serve as their dental home or refer them to a provider that can be a dental home. The ADA also hopes to collect data and share the value of this charitable oral health care in order to help guide advocacy efforts aimed at increasing funding and access to care for veterans.

Our own 4th district of the ADA comprises several states including our Federal Dental Services, which makes this program especially important to Maryland.  Dr. Tom a’Becket is spearheading fundraising for this important project to ensure those who served our country have the same access to oral health care. 

Each member of our MSDA delegation to the ADA, as well as several MSDA staff, have provided financial support to help our $25,000 fundraising goal for the 4th District. We hope you will consider serving this worthy goal either financially or through your time in November and beyond.

Please reach out directly to Dr. a’Becket to help.  Checks can be made out to ADA 4th Trustee District c/o Dr Tom a'Becket, 510 Bramblewood Court, Millersville, Maryland 21108 or you can Venmo @thomas-abecket (last four digits 8578).

Our veterans deserve better than what they are getting; I hope you will sign up to help!