TULSA — Most veterans do not receive proper dental care.
Dental Care Professionals tell us you must be 100 percent disabled, a prisoner of war, or injured while on duty to receive benefits.
But now a mobile unit that travels to thirty different states across the country is providing free services for veterans.
Aspen Dental Dentist Alexander Williams tells me poor dental health can lead to serious issues like heart disease or stroke.
"Many of the veterans that come up here haven't seen a dentist in about 10 to 15 years. Maybe their whole lives, so for this, it's a huge opportunity for us to be able to get in there and really help open their eyes," Williams said.
One of the veterans visiting the 'Mouth Mobile' today says he is grateful for the opportunity to finally make some changes for his dental health.
"It's real embarrassing, my teeth are falling out. And when your mouth looks as embarrassing as mine does, you fix it. So this is my opportunity together something done about it," Wallace said.
Wallace says he's done a lot for his country, and he believes it shouldn't be so difficult to get healthcare.
He also explained that majority of the homeless in Tulsa are veterans. He says it's hard returning to civilization after experiencing the trauma from a war.
"A lot of the homeless are veterans, and if we can get to them and get some help for them, this place would be one of a kind," Jerry said.
For more information on where the mouth mobile will be headed to next click here.
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