Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 07/10/2000

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Clear documentation was presented on April 12 at a House Subcommittee on Health hearing which delineated the demise of dental care being provided to our deserving veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dentists, particularly oral and maxillofacial surgeons, are leaving the VA in unprecedented numbers. Most of the vacated positions are being eliminated by local administrators.

In the past three years the number of dentists employed by the Veterans Administration had fallen from more than 850 to less than 650. In the past three months at least 21 dentists have left, many of them to enter private practice. In the 1970's and the 1980's there were up to 1100 VA dentists. The dental health care needs of the eligible veteran population has increased, not diminished since 1970.

In August 1996, 89 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, mostly full-time surgeons were employed. Today, only 62 oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide surgical care at VA hospitals. Four have resigned already this year. Three others have announced the imminent resignations, 25 work less than half time, 13 are administrators, and only 23 remain to provide full-time surgical care for veterans at 172 VA hospitals. Several states and even some regions of the country have no surgeon to provide oral and maxillofacial surgical care for their patients.

Veteran patients are medically, psychiatrically and/or physically compromised. Many have more than one handicap. Through no fault of their own these veterans are the most difficult patients to treat.

Results of the above are easily understood. Fewer dentists, who are more stressed and who have lower morale, are providing fewer veterans with the dental care they need, they earned and they deserve. Fewer dental procedures are being completed. Less dental research is being accomplished. The number of dental educational residencies is decreased. The amount of dental care for head and neck cancer patients is diminished. And because there too few dentists employed by the VA, medically compromised veterans are experiencing more dental pain.

In the rare instances when recruiting is attempted, it is unsuccessful because salaries for VA dentists are the lowest of any group of dentists in the U.S. Young and mid-career dentists are leaving in increasing numbers. According to the American Dental Association, the overall average net income of all dentists practicing in the U.S. is nearly double that of VA dentists.

Bipartisan bills have been introduced in congress which address at least part of the retention and recruitment problems by way of increasing special pay for VA dentists. These bill are stuck in committee, but need to be marked up immediately for consideration by their respective house of Congress.

Paralyzed Veterans of America and several other veterans service organizations along with the National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Education Association and all other contracted dental organizations strongly support these bills. Only the administration and its appointed "leaders" at VA Headquarters oppose this legislation for undefined and non-verbalized reasons. Congressman Lane Evans stated at the April 12 hearing, "If VA administrators don't recognize the problem [facing VA dentistry], they are part of the problem."

Legislation must become law soon with an effective date of October 1, 2000. Delaying, killing or diminishing this legislation will means a faster exodus of trained, experienced VA dentists and thereby a greater decline in dental care for the deserving, medically compromised veterans who preserved our freedoms.

Distressed D.D.S
Florida

Dear Distressed DDS:
Recently, Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, who was joined by Rep. Bob Stump (R-AZ), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act. This legislation provides the VA with direct incentives to recruit and retain the best health care professionals to care for veterans.

Representatives Stearns said "The integrity and performance of the VA depends on a trained, competent workforce. These dedicated professionals are being asked to do more with less, and that is taking its toll." VA data shows that its staff is treating 20 percent more patients with 10 percent fewer employees than they did only five years ago.

H.R. 4759 would improve the pay system for VA nurses to keep salaries comparable with private facilities, revise the pay rate for dentists, and raise the pay cap for VA pharmacists, among other incentives.

For the benefit of our veterans who have earned their benefits through service to our nation, and the overworked VA medical personnel, the Sarge wholeheartedly urges the passage of this important legislation. This is a first step in preventing further decay of the VA health care delivery system.

And, as a special bon mot to VA honchos opposing the hiring of dental and maxillofacial surgeons, "The gateway to a healthy body is through a healthy mouth." Or, as the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
The Summer Luncheon of the VA Alumni Association will be held on Thursday, July 20 at the Pier 7 Restaurant, Washington, D.C. President Jim Fischl reports that the Honorable Constance A. Morella (R-MD) will be the principal speaker. "Connie" as she is affectionately known, is a strong advocate for veterans and of long term health care for seniors, a subject of great interest to VA retirees. Information about the luncheon and requests for reservations can be made by contacting me at (703) 451-7529.

Leon Sanchez
Springfield, VA

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

BAVF Home | Who We Are | Sgt. Shaft | Flag Week | Links | Financials | Search | Contact BAVF

BAVF - P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900

Copyright BAVF 2000