For many of our nation’s military veterans, comprehensive dental care is unattainable.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is only able to provide dental treatment to a small percentage of Service members. Many go without much-needed care because they do not have the resources to pay for treatments.
According to the VA, there are approximately 18 million veterans in the United States. More than 5 million have at least one disability, 1.2 million live in poverty, and an estimated 37,878 veterans were homeless. In 2019, the VA was able to provide dental care to 580,000 individuals or about 3% of living veterans.
Dental Lifeline Network created the Lifeline Heroes initiative to help veterans with special needs and other medical conditions.
Since its inception, we’ve raised $400,000. This year, we challenge you to pledge your support so we can change even more lives.
With your contributions, we can connect more veterans to much-needed services through Donated Dental Services (DDS) program from our national network of volunteer providers.
Lifeline Heroes Challenge
Help us raise an additional $500,000 to help 1,100 veterans with special needs and medical conditions receive donated dental treatment.
Join heroes, like Andrew McKellar, who organized a charity boat race in memory of Dr. Loren Feldner, a dentist and supporter of veterans. With the simple act of gathering for a good cause, Andrew and fellow event attendees were able to raise more than $1,700 for the Lifeline Heroes Challenge in 2020.
It has been humbling to witness the creativity and generosity of donors who have given personally, donated dental hygienist fees, collected donations from patients and staff, and even hosted bake sales and yard sales — all to support veterans! Hundreds of dentists and companies have contributed already. Take a look at our leader board here.
We still need your support to meet our goal. Be a Hero. Join the Challenge!
Plus! Thanks to dental industry sponsors, individual gifts will be matched. You can find a list of the 2020-21 Lifeline Heroes Challenge matching sponsors on our sponsor page.
As a Lifeline Heroes Challenge participant, YOU have the power to change lives for veterans in need. Learn more, challenge others, and create your own fundraising page for the cause at DentalLifeline.org.
