Imagine that you’re a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. You have serious dental problems: abscesses, chipped teeth, gum disease. You’re in pain. You don’t have insurance. Then, imagine that you have no money to pay for dentistry. Who do you turn to for help? Everyone for Veterans.
Everyone for Veterans is a nonprofit that connects veterans and veteran spouses of all ages with volunteer dentists who provide free, comprehensive dental care. We’re not talking about one office visit – we’re talking about dentistry that takes weeks or even months.
We’re honored to open our nonprofit series with Everyone for Veterans. Raising awareness is what this series is about. Whether you’re a potential advocate or someone who needs help, we’re glad you’re here.
Founded in the Seattle area in 2017, Everyone for Veterans supports veterans across Washington State and beyond. In fact, they now have volunteer dentists ready to help in 35 states. If you'd like to learn more about how to help veterans get connected with free services, read on.
We caught up with Executive Director Jessica Elwell to learn why there’s such a dramatic need for help.
First, a couple of fast facts:
- Less than 15% of veterans who qualify for the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system receive dental benefits.
- The Census Bureau estimates that, in 2022, 1.2 million veterans had an income below the poverty line.
- Comprehensive dental care is pricey. A single dental implant with a crown can cost around $5,000.
The result is tens of thousands of veterans living with pain and infection – with no access to dentistry. We asked Jessica to break it down for us.
1. Tell us about the veterans you support.
Jessica Elwell: Everyone for Veterans has the privilege of serving honorably discharged low-income veterans and their spouses. Our services are open to veterans of all eras. Last year, our veterans ranged in age from 30- to 95-years-old.
The veterans that we work with are experiencing generational and systemic poverty, and often employment barriers due to their mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
To make matters worse, veterans often face a range of obstacles when attempting to get the dental care they need. These obstacles include lack of insurance, inadequate coverage, long wait times for appointments, limited access to providers, limited urgent services and a lack of knowledge about available services. Many veterans lack access to dental care because they live in rural or remote areas where there are few providers.
It’s important to recognize these existing barriers to dental care for veterans, as they can have a significant impact on their long-term health.
What began as one dentist helping one veteran has now grown into a nationwide movement.
2. Why don’t more veterans get dental benefits from the VA?
Jessica Elwell: More than 85% of veterans that are enrolled in the VA health care system do not qualify for VA dental benefits. It’s a common misconception that veterans get free care from the government.
Veterans must have 100% service-connected disability, were former prisoners of war, or have other limited situations to have dental benefits through the VA.
3. The Everyone for Veterans team and the volunteer dentists provide comprehensive care. What does that involve?
Jessica Elwell: Our method of serving veterans is collaborative and inclusive. We include the veteran throughout the course of their treatment plan.
Veterans often feel like they don't have ownership of their lives or feel like programs may offer help but with limitations, and there is often an underlying sense of mistrust that we must work through with each veteran that we serve. By building trust, offering support, and answering their questions, they feel invested in the process.
The dental services we provide are comprehensive. Our dental volunteers utilize bridges, root canals, crowns, and implants to eliminate pain, restore smiles, and replace shame and embarrassment with joy and self-confidence.
Coming alongside people in need, so they don’t have to go alone, is at the heart of what we do.
One veteran recently said, “I think the most important thing, regardless of the dental work, was just the fact that I felt welcomed back into my community by the people. I didn’t think people cared anymore and this program showed me that I still matter.”
4. How do veterans qualify for Everyone for Veterans programs?
Jessica Elwell: We serve veterans that are experiencing financial hardship, have completed at least one enlistment period, and have been honorably discharged.
We also serve the spouses of our qualified veterans. Veteran spouses stand as pillars of strength and resilience, supporting their servicemembers through deployments, relocations, and the challenges that come with military life. Sadly, when their soldier or sailor transitions to veteran status, the support and benefits offered to military families often disappear.
We encourage veterans in need of care to visit our website (www.everyoneforveterans.org) and review the application.
"I speak for myself that I feel not many people are able to help a veteran and sometimes we just feel like no one is there for us. This really has made me see things in a different light. Thank you for extending a helping hand.” — Robert, U.S. Navy
5. Tell us one thing that you’d like people to know about Everyone for Veterans.
Jessica Elwell: Something that I find inspiring is the positive impact we have on veteran families. As an example, I would love to share one of our veteran’s stories with you.
Bryant S. was an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran that came to us in need of significant dental work and restoration. After receiving care, he shared his family’s experience with us:
“Because I didn’t take care of myself due to everything I went through, I have expressed to my kids how bad it can get if they do not brush their teeth. Also explained to them how painful it can be to get everything that I had done. And that made my kids brush their teeth every morning and every night before bed. They all got new toothbrushes and toothpaste and they brush 2 to 3 times a day. My youngest stays in there for about 3 minutes brushing hers.”
The dentist that worked with Bryant provided more than $20,000 in comprehensive care. This investment has changed the oral health trajectory of Bryant’s entire family and created new healthy habits for his children that will last a lifetime.
This care that our partnering dentists are providing is breaking the cycle of poor oral health. We are thrilled to have been able to be a part of Bryant’s story, to help him live pain-free and with renewed self-confidence once more, but it’s even more touching to know that his whole family will benefit from this important work.
Everyone can help a veteran
Dr. Theresa Cheng, who founded Everyone for Veterans in her King County, Washington periodontist office, always says that while not everyone can be a veteran, everyone can help a veteran. Here’s how you can help (even if you’re not a dental care professional).
- Tell your dentist about Everyone for Veterans!
- Know a veteran? Tell them about these services, and encourage them to spread the word among veteran friends.
- Follow Everyone for Veterans on social media and share.
- Donate money, if you can.
- Volunteer your time and talents on one of their remote committees.
What began in 2017 as one dental care professional helping one veteran has now grown into a nationwide movement, with more than 1,800 veterans and families served – and smiles restored. This is what making a difference is all about.
The next time you go to the dentist, be sure to tell them about Everyone for Veterans!
Suzanne Lee is the publisher of Macaroni KID Renton - Newcastle - Maple Valley. She is also a proud veteran spouse.
