Gov. Janet Mills announces $350,000 boost to veterans dental program, raises per-veteran cap to $3,000

Governor Janet Mills announced an additional $350,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental to support the Maine Veterans Dental Network, saying the funding will allow eligible veterans to receive grants of up to $3,000 toward dental care.

Mills identified herself at the start of the recorded address as governor and framed oral health as a pressing affordability issue in the state. "Despite how very important dental care is, some people in our state still cannot afford to go to the dentist," she said, describing veterans who have faced unmet dental needs including one twice-decorated Purple Heart recipient who could not afford dentures and a veteran suffering from an abscessed tooth.

The governor said the program, launched by her administration in 2021 in partnership with Northeast Delta Dental and clinics across the state, has received $1,285,000 in grants to date and has helped more than 1,500 veterans see a dentist or dental hygienist. "With this year's additional funding, eligible veterans may now receive grants of up to $3,000 towards dental care, and that's up from 1000 dollars last year," Mills said.

Mills said the Veterans Dental Network operates at 23 locations across the state, "from Portland to Princeton and Eastport and Aroostook and Penobscot Counties," and that the new funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis to Maine residents who are veterans, lack dental insurance and cannot pay out of pocket. She provided an application link, maine.gov/governor/mills/veteransdental, and a phone number for those without internet access: (207) 287-6836 during normal business hours.

Mills thanked Northeast Delta Dental, the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services and participating clinics for supporting what she called a nationally recognized program, and closed by thanking Maine veterans for their service. The announcement did not include a deadline for applications; eligibility and application details are available on the program webpage, the governor said.