Homeless Veterans Dental Program Fixes Smiles, Changes Lives
When you meet Army Veteran Jimmy Villanueva, he’s quick to flash a smile. But that wasn’t always the case. For more than two decades, the former transport and supply soldier was living without most of his front teeth due to a motorcycle accident.
Now, Villanueva has a mouthful of pearly whites thanks to VA’s Homeless Veterans Dental Program (HVDP), an initiative which provides dental services to homeless and at-risk Veterans to improve the quality of their lives.
“They’re very professional, very clean, very polite, and always make me feel comfortable,” said Villanueva of his experience with the program, which operates out of the back of Building 213 at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. (Building 213 is a Community Living Center and primarily residential.)
Under the care of Dr. Angela Pak, Villanueva was fitted for top and bottom partial dentures.
The HVDP provides services to Veterans who have been enrolled in one of the following programs for at least 60 days: the Grant and Per Diem Program; Health Care for Homeless Veterans; the Domiciliary Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DOM); Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Residence; or Community Residential Care and Medical Foster Home programs.
Villanueva, who’s a former resident of the West LA VA Medical Center’s DOM and is in the process of getting his own apartment through the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH), was connected with HVDP through a VA case worker. His experience has been overwhelmingly positive, he said, and he can eat his favorite foods again, including cashews. “I’m very grateful.”
Veterans who are eligible for the program can undergo a variety of services including examinations, x-rays, cleanings, oral hygiene instructions, fillings, extractions and partial or full dentures.
Once enrolled in HVDP, Veterans can go to any VA for services. In Greater Los Angeles, services can also be provided at the downtown VA Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center and VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center.
The chief of dental service for VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS), Dr. Owais Farooqi, said he has been working in VA dental programs since his residency. The VAGLAHS Homeless Veteran Dental Program he oversees is the largest in VA. Over the last three years, HVDP at GLA has provided dental care for over 900 Veterans.
“This program is great encouragement for Veterans who are struggling,” said Farooqi.
Providing dental care to homeless and at-risk Veterans provides substantial benefits, according to the 2013 study "Evaluating the Impact of Dental Care on Housing Intervention Program Outcomes Among Homeless Veterans" by Elizabeth Nunez, Gretchen Gibson, Judith A. Jones and John A. Schinka.
Specifically, Veterans who received dental care were 30% more likely to complete the homelessness program; 14% more likely to have a job or be financially stable upon discharge; and 15% more likely to have transitioned to residential housing.
After dental care, homeless Veterans also reported improvements in perceived oral health, general health and overall self-esteem, according to the 2008 study “Dental Treatment Improves Self-Rated Oral Health in Homeless Veterans – A Brief Communication” by Gretchen Gibson, Erik F. Reifenstahl, Carolyn J. Wehler, Sharron E. Rich, Nancy R. Kressin, Tracy B. King; and Judith A. Jones.
“This is a benefit which without a question can help Veterans rehabilitate,” said Farooqi. “But it is exceptionally important that they get into the program as soon as they can to take advantage of it.”
Farooqi recommends providers and outreach workers ask homeless or at-risk Veterans one question: “Do you have any dental problems that need to be taken care of?” That way staff can get them signed up for HVDP as quickly as possible.
He added that if a Veteran enrolled in a homeless Veteran program has an urgent or emergent dental need, they need not wait the full 60 days to get it addressed. They can be seen right away to allow staff to take care of the urgent issue. After completing 60 days of enrollment, VA can take care of their non-urgent care needs as well.
Villanueva also recommended that his fellow Veterans take advantage of HVDP. “Be patient and go with the flow because they take care of business.”
(Veterans who are enrolled in eligible programs should speak to their case workers if interested in services.)