“This program reflects our affiliates’ shared commitment to deliver tooth replacement care with dignity and respect to those who often have nowhere else to turn,” said Doug Brown, President and CEO of Affordable Care, the dental support organization affiliated with Affordable Dentures & Implants. “As a national dental support organization, we have a special opportunity to use our network size and resources to give back to underserved communities.”

Brighter Way Dental Institute

The Brighter Way Dental Institute, formerly known as the CASS Dental Clinic for the Homeless, provides comprehensive dental care and a dental home to not only homeless individuals but also to adults and military veterans, many of whom do not receive dental benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tooth replacement solutions – including full-arch implant restorations like those performed at Brighter Way – often are beyond the financial reach for those without dental insurance. Affordable Dentures & Implants practice owners have historically elected to set everyday fees lower than insurance co-pays for the same treatment.

Dental Implants: the Tooth Replacement Solution

More people each year – including new and experienced denture wearers – are turning to dental implants as a more desired tooth replacement solution. Implants help to stop or slow bone loss (resorption) in the jaw, and restore more tooth function than dentures or other options.

Affordable Dentures & Implants’ participation in the 2017 Brighter Way program will build upon a record year of giving back and volunteering.

• More than 100 dentists, lab technicians and business support staff gave their time at more than 20 Mission of Mercy pro bono events across the U.S. in 2016. Lab technicians produced more than 700 partial dentures and other appliances at Mission of Mercy events during the year.
• Affordable Care renewed a significant annual contribution to America’s Dentists Care Foundation and to more than 20 state-level Mission of Mercy organizations.
• And more than 200 dentists within the affiliated practice network have taken part in international implant volunteerism since 2014, including through a partner clinic in Guadalajara, Mexico, performing more than an estimated $5 million in implant surgery and related services in that time frame.

Treating the Unmet Need

“Unfortunately, veterans are more likely to be homeless than the general population – they comprise approximately 10 percent of our homeless population,” said Dr. Kris Volcheck, Brighter Way Dental Institute CEO and founder.

“One of the greatest unmet needs of our homeless veterans is that of basic oral health care. Even if basic care were available, it still would be woefully lacking in its ability to treat those veterans who are edentulous. These men and women, who are often missing all of their teeth, are our family and community members. Because they have no teeth and no smile, their health is poor and so is their self-esteem. For Brighter Way to be able to treat these patients who have served our nation in such a comprehensive manner is an honor. Simply put, restoring these patients’ health and self-esteem by placing implant-based dentures is the very best possible care available. And these veterans should be getting our very best efforts.”

For more information about the dental charity efforts of Affordable Dentures & Implants®, click here.

For more about Brighter Way Dental Institute, visit their website.