MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. –The Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota (DAV of Minnesota) has awarded $28,600 to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to support the expansion of the MN Veterans Home mobile dental clinic. The Minnesota Veterans Homes mobile dental clinic is unique among a few in the state that provides on-site dental care to residents of long-term care facilities. MDVA hopes to serve more than 250 residents of the three outstate Veterans Homes, providing quality dental care.

The DAV of Minnesota’s award will cover the costs of a two-year vehicle lease which will allow for easy transport of the mobile dental equipment in a safe and secure way. It also will fund the purchase of dental equipment that minimizes aerosols and maintains a safe air environment, so important during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dental services have been seen has a high-risk medical service during the pandemic, and any system that filters the air improves the safety of both our Residents and staff.  MDVA Dental staff who are so grateful to make use of this award include Dr. Marcus Gustafson, DDS; Katie McNamara, Dental Coordinator and Dental Hygienist; and Christee Kordosky, Dental Assistant.

The mobile clinic will travel across the state to the three outstate Minnesota Veterans Homes located in Fergus Falls, Luverne and Silver Bay. The Minneapolis Veterans Home serves its residents through an on-site dental clinic.

Stephen Whitehead, National and Minnesota State Commander for DAV, expressed his excitement. “DAV of Minnesota is grateful to be able to provide MDVA with this donation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that this program will make on veterans all around the state.”

Douglas Hughes, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Healthcare at MDVA, said, “This innovative program will help serve even more of our Veterans in a more comprehensive way. Not everyone has access to quality dental care, so we are working to find ways that break the barrier to services that every Veteran deserves.”

The dental team completed their first trip in the new vehicle to the Fergus Falls Veterans Home in October. Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases, visits have been temporarily paused, however we look forward to resuming services in 2021 with a robust travel schedule on the calendar.

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About Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Minnesota is a membership organization made up exclusively of Minnesota men and women disabled in our nation’s defense. They are dedicated to a single purpose, fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served our country. With more than 19,000 members and 32 chapters statewide, the DAV of Minnesota works to improve the lives of veterans and their families. For more information, visit https://davmn.org/.

About the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach, and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.

The Minnesota Veterans Homes provide long-term and skilled nursing services to 574 Veterans and spouses at four locations, and also provide Domiciliary Care to an additional 150 Veterans at the Hastings and Minneapolis Veterans Homes.