Robin’s periodontal disease and decayed teeth caused her unbearable pain. Even worse, Robin’s doctor believed that her dental problems were life-threatening—posing a serious risk to her successful cancer treatment and recovery.
Dental Lifeline Network provides access to dental care to people like Robin who are medically fragile, elderly or have disabilities and can’t afford dental care. Through DLN’s flagship program, Donated Dental Services (DDS), more than 15,000 volunteer dentists and 3,600 volunteer laboratories nationwide provide the last resort for dental treatment for people like Robin.
Robin is among thousands of vulnerable people for whom oral health is a prerequisite for medical treatment. They include patients needing chemotherapy for cancer or autoimmune diseases, candidates for organ transplants or dialysis, cardiac patients facing surgery and people with crippling arthritis requiring joint replacement. Although Medicare often covers these medical treatments, it does not cover dental care. In most states, Medicaid doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults, either.
That’s why more people who are medically fragile are being referred to Donated Dental Services (DDS). Dental disease can prevent people with chronic health problems from receiving life-saving medical treatments. “For these people, lack of dental therapies can result in progressive illness or premature death,” notes DLN president Fred Leviton.
The need is great. Please help:
For information, to become a volunteer dentist or to make a donation, please visit DentalLifeline.org or call 1-888-471-6334.