Stand down offering dental screenings

SANDPOINT — If even one veteran’s life is saved, Saturday’s dental screenings — new to the annual veteran stand down sponsored by the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter — will be worth it.

“Oral cancer, like most forms of cancer is treatable when diagnosed at the earliest stages,” Howard Bigelow, VVA chapter president in Sandpoint, said.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Idaho State Dental Association, veterans will be screened for oral cancer and major infections. It’s likely a first for stand downs and could serve as a pilot program, Bigelow said.

“Dental care in the VA medical system is limited, by current regulations, to very few veterans,” he said. “This leaves a large portion of the veteran community without dental care.”

Along with the screenings for oral cancer, ISDA dentists will be looking for signs of major infections, which can be deadly on their own, said veteran Bob Taylor, who knows first-hand the problem such an infection can cause.

ISDA executive director Dr. Quinn Dufurrena offered his group’s services after he was approached for a temporary Idaho dental license for a friend, John Delk, who offered to come to Sandpoint to perform dental screenings, Taylor said.

Not only did he get the license, Dufurrena wanted to know if ISDA could help out. It didn’t take long before local dentist Dr. Rick Ballard offered his office for the screenings.

Veterans requiring antibiotics will receive a prescription from Safeway, which is offering the VVA the drugs at a discount. The VVA chapter will pay for the prescription so the veterans can receive the help they need without worrying abut how to pay for it, Bigelow said.

“We urge all the area veterans to take advantage of the dental screening program,” he said. “Vietnam veterans, due to Agent Orange, are at higher risk for oral cancer and treating major infections can be a lifesaver.”

The stand down is a way for veterans to help fellow veterans, Bigelow and Taylor said.

“We’re here to help our brothers and sisters,” Taylor added. “We want to do everything we can to ease their pain, help them and their families and say thank you.”

By taking part in the stand down, veterans receive a short cut to enrollment in the VA medical system and filing for service-connected disability claims, Bigelow said. VA and veterans service representatives will be on hand at the stand down to offer help and fill out paperwork with veterans.

In addition to the dental screenings, veterans receive military surplus clothing and other items, food and services.

VVA is also reaching out to the region’s female veterans. They served their country honorably but often don’t claim the benefits they have earned, said Bigelow

“I have heard that many feel they didn’t earn these benefits and they feel their male counterparts look upon them with disdain,” he added. “ Also they feel they are treated differently at the VA.”

Nothing, Bigelow said, could be further from the truth.

“I want to assure all our sisters that they will be treated with the same dignity and respect as our brother veterans.”

While the stand downs are part of the VA’s homeless veterans program, it is open to all veterans and their families.

“In today’s economy, programs like this stand down can fill the gap for American veterans and their families,” Bigelow said. “There are far too many homeless and disadvantaged veterans to be ignored.”

Now in its third year, the event has grown from 800 veterans and family members helped to more than 1,200 in its second year. Numbers are expected to be even higher this year. To help, the VVA chapter was able to secure corporate sponsors, allowing them to help even more veterans, Bigelow said.

Among the corporate sponsors are Sonderen Packaging of Spokane, Spyderco Knives of Golden, Colo., Delta Dental of Idaho, Benchmade Knives of Oregon City, Ore., Valley Vista Care Center, Orion Knives of Coopersville, Mich. and Safeway Stores Inc.

What you need to know

• The stand down will be held Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

• The event is being held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer in Sandpoint

• Veterans need to bring their DD-214, discharge information, VA card or military ID

• Services offered include VA claim help, physical health providers, mental health  providers, employment counseling, veterans service organizations, haircuts, lunch, coffee and snacks.