R-2404-20893

Founded in 2018, Dentistry4Vets is a non-profit organization that provides dental care to military veterans living in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties in California. There are over 30,000 military veterans in the tri-counties, most of whom do not qualify for dental care under current VA guidelines. Dentistry4Vets seeks to improve access to oral health services for veterans through increased approved authorizations, increased utilization of dental care through trust-based care. This care model centers engagement in long term treatment and improved wellbeing, enhanced knowledge, and empathy in professionals by improving outreach and training materials and advocating to VA leadership for the Dentistry4Vets model of care to be the template for replication across
the country.

With grant funding from CareQuest Institute, Dentistry4Vets will expand its veteran-led advocacy efforts. Building on the momentum they’ve gained from recent meetings with Rep. Jimmy Panetta (House Armed Services Committee) to discuss funding veteran dental care as an item in the National Defense Authorization Act, Dentistry4Vets will coordinate one advocacy trips to Washington D.C Sacramento with four veterans who will meet directly with VA leaders and policy makers to improve access to care.

Additionally, funding will enable Dentistry4Vets to create case studies highlighting the positive outcomes achieved through the Dentistry4Vets program, demonstrating better outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and potential for replication. The organization will also develop a blueprint of the Dentistry4Vets model, including best practices, operational procedures, and strategies for overcoming common social determinants of health. They will develop training materials for dental professionals to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver veteran-centric care according to Dentistry4Vets methods and develop a communications plan and documentation of meetings with VA leaders and policy makers.

Dentistry4Vets is requesting $125,000 for this work which is about 20% of the
organization’s overall budget. $53,875 will be utilized to support staff, $26,000 for travel expenses for staff and veterans to meet with VA leaders in DC and Sacramento, and $32,500 for PR contract to create communications with VA and policy makers and develop Dentistry4Vets blueprint for methods of replication and development of training materials.

This proposal is one of ten selected finalists for the Expanding Access and Equity for
Veterans Oral Health RFP.