Thank you to all the nominators of the 2020 Nominate a Veteran Campaign. The recipient of the no-charge preventative dental care appointment will be contacted shortly.
Little known FACT. Unless a veteran has served in WW1, WW2, Korea, or is currently receiving a pension classified as a ‘disability’ pension, the veteran is not entitled to access or receive any compensation to assist with the costs of basic and preventative dental care.
What is ‘Nominate a Veteran’?
The Nominate a Veteran Campaign is an oral health initiative from a prevention-based approach. Veterans are a unique demographic whom typically have reduced access to oral care. Our Canadian society could do better to honour those that have sacrificed for the rights, freedoms, and privileges we enjoy.
The first Nominate a Veteran Campaign was held in Vernon BC in 2018. The awareness campaign with a practical component was initiated (and trademarked) by an Independent Dental Hygienist. The ‘Nominate a Veteran Foundation’ was formalized in 2020.
The recipient will be eligible for 2 hours of time in the dental hygiene chair. This would include an assessment followed by a dental hygiene cleaning based on their unique oral needs. Care provided will fall within the “dental hygiene scope of practice“, which could include: periodontal assessment, scaling and/or root planing as required, a soft tissue exam (oral cancer screening), x-rays, polishing, fluoride treatment and a review of their oral care routine with suggestions on how to improve their home care.
Personal Motivation for the Campaign
In my career in the dental field (2001- present) I have come to understand that veterans, upon discharge from the Canadian Forces, often have limited or no access to dental services with the benefits available to them from Veteran Affairs. I, in no way fault Veterans Affairs, as there are many needs that they must address and oral health seems to slip through the preverbal cracks. I feel this is unjust considering the service they have provided to us, their fellow Canadians. It is for these reasons that I initiated the Nominate a Veteran Campaign as I find myself compelled to demonstrate my appreciation for these deserving members of our community.
-Dayna Nipkow, RDH, BDSc
Thank you to all of our community supporters and our contributors for helping to make the 2020 Nominate A Veteran Campaign a success! Also a big Thank-you to everyone in our Vernon community that took a moment to reflect if they knew someone that they could nominate and for all those that put forth a nomination. We couldn’t have run a successful campaign without your involvement! We look forward to your nominations again next year.
Thank you to all our community supporters:
2020 Supporters include:
2021 Nomination dates to be announced!
Locations:
Or through this page of the website!
2020 Supporters include:
Deadline: November 19th 2020
Draw date: November 19th 2020.
Phone number: 1.250.241.4867
Please feel free to check appointment availability and even book your own appointment.
We express a genuine appreciation for all the work that Veteran Affairs does do for our veterans. This message is shared with the understanding that Veteran Affairs has many demands on their [resources/attention].