There is still time for qualifying veterans to take advantage of free preventative dental hygiene services at UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic, however, this program ends April 29, 2022.
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and 22 participating clinics, including the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor, are providing dental hygiene services to veterans unable to afford preventive dental care. The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network, which is overseen by MBVS, received a $100,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental to serve veterans who do not otherwise have dental coverage or cannot afford dental care.
The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic received $6,000 of this grant funding and has been providing preventive dental hygiene services (e.g. cleanings) for qualifying veterans throughout the fall semester. However, this program only runs through April 29, so qualifying veterans are encouraged to make an appointment today.
This program also provides UMA’s dental hygiene program students with valuable clinical experiences under the supervision of UMA’s Dental Hygiene faculty. UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic has already provided preventative dental hygiene services to over 65 qualified veterans.
“This is a great opportunity to give back to those who have given so much in service to their country,” stated Jacqueline Thiel, of Augusta who is a UMA Dental Hygiene student and Marine Corps veteran. “As someone who has served, I am truly honored to help my fellow veterans improve their dental health.”
To receive dental hygiene services at no cost, veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) to the clinic and grant permission to forward the document to MBVS for inclusion in its database. If the veteran does not have a copy of their DD-214, MBVS can assist them in acquiring one by submitting the State of Maine Request Form – https://www.maine.gov/veterans/forms/index.html located on the MBVS website.
To make an appointment, eligible veterans may contact the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic at 207-262-7872 or visit https://www.uma.edu/academics/programs/dental-programs/patient-services/ to schedule a free dental cleaning, including X-rays and fluoride treatment. The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at 201 Texas Ave, Bangor.