Beyond the Tooth: Expanding Dental Care to More Veterans

From intense training to serving overseas, the roles and experiences in the military can leave veterans with close bonds, differences made, and injuries on or beneath the surface. In a brief internet search, you can find countless stories discussing barriers encountered upon a soldier’s return to civilian life. A barrier less thought about: dental care. Dr. Daniel Fridh, an experienced dentist and U.S. Air Force veteran, saw a need. As head of the practice, Daniel W. Fridh, DDS, in La Porte, IN, he decided to launch Operation: Stand Down. The program is designed to provide veterans with free dental examinations, as well as follow-up services for no charge or reduced prices. It gained significant traction and support, and Dr. Fridh encourages other dentists to offer it in their communities. He even put together a manual, found on the USA section of the International College of Dentists. We interviewed him to hear more about the program’s beginnings, his motivations, and how people of a variety of backgrounds can help veterans as well.

When did your interest in caring for a service member’s dental needs really take hold? Was there a specific moment that was the spark for you?

I served in the United States Air Force for three years. I saw some of my veteran patients couldn’t afford maybe one [dental restoration] – let alone three – that they needed, so I decided to start treating them at no charge. Over the next year and a half, I started talking to my friends, thinking, “Well, they probably had the same thing going in their office,” so I enlisted them to help me provide free care to veterans in La Porte County. [In] 2012, we kicked off the first Operation: Stand Down. I saw veterans in need. They didn’t have the money. They couldn’t hold a good job. I didn’t want to leave them behind.

Is there a specific instance or two that further invigorated you?

The very first year we were in my office, a [veteran] gentleman showed up. He didn’t have an appointment, but his wife and his secretary had urged him to come for the checkup. I said, “Bring him in.” We did his x-ray and he was number-one through the group. We treatment-planned him. I put my name on his chart. He was my patient yesterday. Twelve years later, we’ve done some video interviews together. He has helped me carry the message to veterans in his city, and he’s become a very good friend.

You mentioned the quote, “It is time to take care of those who have taken care of us.” What specifically does that quote mean to you?

When you sign up with the military, you sign a blank check with Uncle Sam to do anything and go anywhere they send you … and I feel like sometimes veterans have been left behind at the end of the day. I was asked to speak at a veterans summit in Chicago two years ago, and we found out that the VA (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs) only takes care of about 8 percent of the veterans’ dental care. That leaves me about 10 million to go after.

So, it’s time for us to step up. It’s like the perfect storm. We in the dental profession have had a good life. We have skills. We have veterans out there who need help. We can pick another set of groups, but veterans are near and dear to me, so that’s the group I chose to focus on.

Are there dental issues (for example, dental injuries or hygiene concerns) or trends among veterans that you find especially concerning?

The biggest thing I see among veterans is a lot of them are too proud to come in. They don’t feel like they need the help … or they just don’t know that I’m asking to treat them for free.

We started [Operation: Stand Down] in La Porte in 2012. We’ve probably seen about 400 patients in LaPorte County over the last 12 years. But I’ve taken this [nationwide] through the International College of Dentists. This is a nationwide program. I’ve got people in northern Michigan and southern Florida planning what dates they’re going to do. Some of them call it something else. In Texas, they call it Texas Mission of Mercy.

When you discharge from the service, you have 60 days to ask for help. If you don’t have a facial military service-related injury, they’re not going to probably take care of your teeth. It has to be either full disability or a combat-related injury to your face. The government can’t afford to take care of all the veterans, but it would be nice to have systems in place. That’s what Operation: Stand Down is trying to do.

[Veterans have] lost teeth along the way, and they need some kind of reconstruction to be able to eat properly. My first patient was having trouble eating. When we brought him in, we basically rebuilt him to the point where he’s a happy man now. He’s gained a little bit of weight. He’s happy. He’s got a great family behind him.

What are some of the barriers to dental care within the veteran community that you’ve found?

Medicare does not provide dental care. The VA only provides care to those with total disability or facial injuries during combat. They might do an extraction for you. They might let you in for some minor work, but there’s not enough VA personnel to take care of the veterans who are out there. I think transportation is a barrier because some of [the veterans] don’t have adequate transportation.

Whether it’s an experienced dentist or the average person walking down the street, what are ways that people can help veterans?

By respecting the flag when the flag comes down [the street on the 4th of July parade]. Veterans have signed a contract with the government to do whatever they need to do. I think they need to be respected for that. I think veterans could use a leg up, whether it’s a ride to the doctor’s office or free dental care or maybe a discount meal at a restaurant or something like that. There are a lot of different programs out there for veterans. Most of them just don’t know about it.

Are there any organizations that the average Joe may turn to or directories that your colleagues have found helpful?

I started a national directory with the International College of Dentists. They can look to the section on humanitarian service. Then, they can go down about four lines, and they’ll come to Operation: Stand Down. They will see everything about [it]. If it’s a dentist who’s curious — wants to know how he can get involved — he can call me, email me, text me, or go on the website.