LEWISTON, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network will continue operating in 2026 after receiving another round of private grant funding, underscoring the program’s ongoing reliance on corporate support to provide basic dental services for veterans.
The program will receive a $350,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental, allowing it to continue offering limited dental care to Maine veterans who do not have dental insurance and cannot afford treatment out of pocket.
Launched in 2021 by Mills and Northeast Delta Dental, the initiative was designed as an oral health safety net. Since its creation, the program has provided dental services to more than 1,500 Maine veterans.
“Since we launched the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network in 2021, more than 1,500 Maine veterans have received critical dental services, for many, it was the first dental care they’ve received since separating from the military,” Mills said. “I thank Northeast Delta Dental and the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services for their unwavering commitment to Maine veterans. I will continue to work to ensure that Maine stands by our veterans, just as they have stood by us.”
“At Northeast Delta Dental, the belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile drives much of what we do to support our communities,” said Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental. “We are grateful to the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network for leading such an impactful program, giving the simple pleasure of a smile to our service men and women in Maine.”
Northeast Delta Dental initially contributed $35,000 to launch the program in 2021 and followed with grants of $100,000 in 2022, $200,000 in 2023, and $300,000 in both 2024 and 2025. With this year’s additional funding, eligible veterans may now receive grants of up to $3,000 toward dental care, up from $1,000 last year.
The program is administered through partnerships with nonprofit dental clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Maine’s dental teaching schools. Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.
The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network now includes 23 participating nonprofit clinics, health centers, and dental teaching schools across the state, including Lincoln County Dental, Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry, Waterville Community Dental, UNE Dental Clinic, UMA Dental Clinic, Katahdin Valley Health Center, Greater Portland Health, St. Croix Regional Family Health Center, Eastport Health Care, Fish River Rural Health, Community Dental, Mainely Teeth, and Penobscot Community Health Center.
“Six years ago, the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network identified a gap in veterans’ oral healthcare services and, since then, the Bureau has worked tirelessly with our grant supporter, Northeast Delta Dental, to improve access to dental care for veterans in need,” said David Richmond, director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. “We look forward to continuing this important work in 2026 and helping veterans improve their lives through access to dental care.”
“For the past six years Northeast Delta Dental’s President & CEO Tom Raffio and Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Mitch Couret, have mentored the growth of the MVDN. From its humble beginnings in 2021 to our current level of support for Maine’s veterans, their belief in the program and the importance of providing financial support so veterans can access oral healthcare has been unwavering,” said Sarah Sherman, Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services director of strategic partnerships and MVDN founder. “The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services extends our heartfelt gratitude to them for all they do for veterans throughout New England.”
To qualify, applicants must be Maine residents, not be 100 percent service-connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, be unable to afford dental care out of pocket, lack dental insurance, and provide a DD-214 showing an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge. National Guard and Reserve members must have served on active duty, other than training, to qualify.
Veterans may apply online, by calling 207-287-6836, or by emailing [email protected]. Veterans who previously participated may reapply for 2026 funding.
The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis until grant funds are exhausted. Grants do not cover dental implants, orthodontics, fixed bridges, telehealth services, or personal protective equipment charges.
Those interested in supporting the network may donate directly to participating dental clinics, where funds will be earmarked to support dental care for veterans.
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, established in 1947, is part of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. It is headquartered at Camp Keyes, maintains seven field service offices statewide, a claims office at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Togus, and operates the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System.
Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, offering dental insurance programs for businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and families without employer-sponsored coverage.
