January 28, 2021

Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services and Northeast Delta Dental Partner to Create Maine Veterans Dental Network in 2021

Augusta, Maine (January 28, 2021) - In September of 2020, the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) released a 105-page, needs assessment, Oral Health Access for Maines Veterans. Since then the Bureau has been working on several action steps to help address the reports numerous recommendations. The first was to create an online dental care resource on the Bureaus website as a clearing house of information for veterans. The second was to partner with Northeast Delta Dental to form a Maine Veterans Dental Network in 2021 to assist veterans who may not be able to afford necessary dental services. Join the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services and Northeast Delta Dental as they work together to provide veterans with much needed access to oral health care.

Veterans Dental Network Recruiter and U.S. Air Force Veteran, Dr. Mitch Couret, founded the New Hampshire Veterans Dental Network in 2018, which currently consists of a cadre of 12 dentists and oral surgeons (ten are veterans themselves and two wanted to give back to the veterans community). Each has committed to provide a discounted fee by (20%) and to date, over $300,000 in dental services have been donated (50% from the dentists and 50% from Northeast Delta Dental). Dr. Couret noted, "The level of donations understates the need and compassion the program provides for New Hampshires veterans. This program truly has the ability to change a veterans quality of life and embodies the spirit of giving back to the community." In December of 2020, Northeast Delta Dental pledged $35,000 to assist the Bureau with the formation of a Maine Veterans Dental Network in the new year. MBVS Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sarah Sherman, will serve as the programs point of contact and to help coordinate veterans transportation when needed. Contact information: Telephone 207-430-5816 or email sarah.sherman@maine.gov If you are an oral health professional interested in joining the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services and Northeast Delta Dental to create the Maine Veterans Dental Network, or if youd like to learn more about the project, please contact Dr. Mitch Couret and leave a message with your name and phone number so he can return your call. Contact information: 603-496-1015 or email mcouret@nedelta.com. To review the Bureaus online dental care information or needs assessment report go to - https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/healthcare/dentalaccessand_information.html

About Maine Bureau of Veterans Services The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services was established in 1947 by the State of Maine and is part of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. Our mission is to help Mainers who served, and their loved ones, understand and navigate the benefits, services, and programs available to them. The Bureau does this by being a responsive, experienced, and dedicated advocate. The Bureau is headquartered at Camp Keyes and has seven field service offices located throughout the state and a claims office located at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus, Maine. The Bureau also operates the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery System which includes four veterans cemeteries. For more information about the Bureau or to request assistance, please visit our website at www.maine.gov/veterans.

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