Operation Stand Down Provides Free Dental Care to Veterans

Operation-Stand-Down-2016Veterans are invited to participate in Operation Stand Down, a free dental screening program on Saturday, November 5 from 8 am – 1pm. To qualify, veterans need to be a La Porte County resident without a dentist, without dental insurance and with limited ability to pay.

“I had an idea to develop a dental program for veterans who were not receiving regular and needed dental care,” said Dr. Daniel Fridh, DDS, who came up with the idea to hold Operation Stand Down in La Porte. “I saw this need first hand in my office – seeing lack of care usually due to absence of insurance or limited assets. For economic reasons, many veterans have either delayed critically needed care or have just learned to live with their poor oral health.”

The dental screening includes an exam and X-ray. No treatments will be performed on-site the day of the screening. If follow-up treatment is needed, the veteran will be referred to a dentist in La Porte County who has agreed to do a cleaning and any needed fillings and extractions at no cost.

This year is the third Operation Stand Down event sponsored by the La Porte Hospital Foundation (transitioning to the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte) and La Porte County Dentists. The event helped 88 veterans in 2012 and 56 veterans in 2014 receive free dental care, and the goal for 2016 is to see up to 100 veterans.

“I hope to involve all of the dentists who practice in La Porte County at this year’s event. Many of their staff members and volunteers from all over the county will make this a meaningful community event,” said Dr. Fridh.

Call 219.362.5205 and reference Operation Stand Down to schedule an appointment or to sign up to volunteer! Veterans just need to bring their discharge papers and a driver’s license or valid state ID with them the day of the appointment. The screenings will take place at the office of David Porter, DDS (1112 Indiana Ave, La Porte).