R-2404-21084

Everyone for Veterans (E4V) endeavors to be a catalyst for community connection, fostering collaborations and raising awareness about the oral health needs of veterans.
Through a network of volunteers and partners, E4V facilitates comprehensive dental care for veterans nationwide. In 2023, E4V’s efforts expanded eligibility criteria and bolstered their capacity, resulting in a 664% increase in applications. E4V addresses dental needs and helps veterans reintegrate into their communities. E4V is a respected voice in the veterans' oral health space, frequently speaking at conferences, seminars, and colloquiums to share their knowledge and experience.

E4V's goals for this proposal encompass:
1. Elevating awareness of veterans' dental health issues and the importance of preventive care.
2. Advancing oral health outcomes for veterans by mitigating cavities and gum disease while improving functionality to enhance nutrition and social engagement.
3. Educating veterans about the significance of preventive and maintenance practices for ensuring sustained oral health over time.
4. Offering dental schools and students training on veteran-specific oral care, with a trauma-informed approach to address PTSD and anxiety.
5. Engaging the dental community through speaking engagements to bridge understanding gaps between civilians' and veterans' dental needs.
6. Advocating for veterans' oral health and awareness among government leaders and change-makers, advocating for tangible improvements in veterans' quality of life.

E4V is requesting $125,000 for this work, which is slightly less than 1/3 of the organization’s overall budget. Most of the funds will go towards personnel, while the remainder will help with conferences and meetings (travel to AIDPH events is included), town hall events in Seattle, WA and Lubbock, TX, and indirect funds.

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