Veterans With PTSD Are Also at High Risk of Poor Oral Health

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience poor oral health as well. Unfortunately, these veterans do not always have access to professional dental care services. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) limitations on dental coverage, governed by legislative constraints, leave many veterans without essential services. Despite well-established correlations between oral and mental health, a staggering 85% of American veterans lack dental coverage through the VA. Private healthcare becomes a costly alternative, exacerbating financial burdens and delaying crucial treatment. Advocates propose extending dental coverage to high-risk veterans, such as those with heart disease and PTSD, as a vital step toward comprehensive oral healthcare access. Click here to read more.