East Bay Stand Down Performs 718 Dental Procedures on Grateful Vets

Military veterans are often overlooked. The reality is there are approximately 250,000 homeless veterans in the United States that have a difficult time finding and receiving health care and meeting other basic needs. This is what the East Bay Stand Down is about.

For four days, August 7-10, the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton were transformed into a tent city for homeless veterans to receive dental, legal, medical, social, spiritual and rehabilitative services.
The veterans that participated in the Stand Down checked-in for the entire four-day event where they were housed and fed, allowed to shower, given haircuts, personal hygiene items, clothing and new sleeping bags. They had the opportunity to resolve legal issues with onsite superior and municipal court judges, speak with mental health professionals and spiritual leaders. Medical and dental clinics were there to diagnose and treat medical and dental needs. The CDA Foundation awarded a $10,000 Mobile Dental Grant to help offset costs associated with obtaining the mobile units.

According to Philip Abeldt, DDS, CDA Foundation Board member who was a participating dentist in the Stand Down and who played an integral role in coordinating the dental care provided at the event, “On site dental treatment in the mobile dental vans is an enormous undertaking. Dental services provided on site at the Stand Down included examinations, x-rays, prophys, restorations, endodontic therapy and oral surgery.” Dr. Abeldt pointed out that on site dental services were provided by US Army and Navy personnel, including Napa-Solano Dental Society President Major Valerie Godfrey, DDS, Department of Veteran Affairs dentists and residents including Committee on the New Dentist member Dr. Ruchi Nijjar, faculty and residents of USC, and civilian dentists, including Contra Costa County Dental Society Trustee Dr. Doug Gordon, and Stanislaus Dental Society Trustee Dr. Elizabeth Demichelis and Dr. Kent Davis, also a member of the Contra Costa Dental Society participated.

The number served is impressive: 146 patients seen and 718 dental procedures performed for a total value of $84,261 in dental services rendered. “The phenomenal results could not have been achieved without the help of the 16 member dentists of the Southern Alameda Dental Society who agreed to treat some of the veterans in their private offices. Melinda Miller, executive director, helped coordinate appointments and transportation for the veterans to the member dentists’ offices. In addition, the dental society awarded the event $4,400 to help defray the costs associated with dental vans,” added Dr. Abeldt.

Helping in the successful effort was the USC Mobile Clinic that traveled to the Bay Area to take part in the East Bay Stand Down. According to Marjorie Domingo, DDS, USC Mobile Clinic Director, Dr. Thomas Levy and four residents teamed with the staff of the mobile unit to serve the needs of homeless vets that stopped by their Mobile Unit the “Annie”.  The USC Mobile Clinic was, until fairly recently, under the leadership of Dr. Charles (Charlie) Goldstein, inaugural recipient of the CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award. Under Dr. Goldstein’s leadership, more than 85,000 underserved children were treated at no cost, representing $1 million in services annually.  Dr. Domingo noted that Charlie, who passed away this May, would have been thrilled that the USC Mobile Clinic was able to participate in the East Bay Stand Down. Dr. Goldstein served several years in the Navy. Also contributing to the effort was the John Muir Health Foundation who offered a mobile van to use.

“It is fairly easy to identify many of the patient groups that have difficulty in finding access to medical and dental care. The working poor, migrant workers, children and elderly have organizations they can turn to. But, the military veterans are often overlooked,” noted Dr. Abeldt, who in addition to private practice is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Dental Corps. “Because of my service in the Navy, I have much compassion for these vets. The East Bay Stand Down’s goal is to provide help for these men and women, and sometimes their children, to overcome some of the obstacles that stand in their way, in a respectful atmosphere, and help them feel good about themselves. That makes me feel good to be a part of it. In addition, this was just a great training exercise for all entities who may come together to treat patients as a result of a disaster which could affect any one of our communities at any time.”