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Huber Heights dentist offering free day of care for veterans

Many vets don’t have coverage for dental work; appointment is needed for the Nov. 10 service.

Dr. Bob Muster quit his job with a dental chain and created ABC Dental in Huber Heights, which markets itself for under-served patients.

Jim Noelker/Staff photographer Dr. Bob Muster quit his job with a dental chain and created ABC Dental in Huber Heights, which markets itself for under-served patients.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Oliver Radcliffe of Oakwood is treated by Dr. Bob Muster and dental assistant Lydia Greenham at the ABC Dental office in Huber Heights on Oct. 6, 2008. ABC Dental is participating in Leave No Vets Behind, a free day of dental care for veterans Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Jim Noelker/Staff photographer Oliver Radcliffe of Oakwood is treated by Dr. Bob Muster and dental assistant Lydia Greenham at the ABC Dental office in Huber Heights on Oct. 6, 2008. ABC Dental is participating in Leave No Vets Behind, a free day of dental care for veterans Tuesday, Nov. 10.

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By Angela Watson Gay, Staff Writer 9:47 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

HUBER HEIGHTS — Boredom spurred dentist Bob Muster to check out the Ohio Dental Association’s Web site, but that mouse click likely will lead to a crazy workload at ABC Dental on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

That’s the day Leave No Vets Behind, a free day of dental care for veterans, will be offered at the dental office.

A Leave No Vets Behind Day was held Sept. 11 in Cincinnati; Muster felt compelled to do the same here in the Miami Valley.

Muster, 33, was surprised that so many veterans don’t have dental coverage. “I didn’t know it was such a problem,” he said. “My hope is in some small way to repay the vets for their service to our country.”

Muster said a 75-year-old uninsured veteran recently came into the office needing four extractions and four fillings. He was going to pay out-of-pocket.

“I told him if he comes back Nov. 10, I’ll do all $900 worth of dental work for free,” Muster said.

As of right now, Muster said six dentists, including himself, will be providing services that day. He’s also waiting to hear from the Dayton Dental Society to find out if they can offer any assistance.

“It’s exciting. This is awesome, but we’ve got to go really fast, super fast,” said Lynn Mescher, ABC Dental’s office manager. (Muster) is a really good guy for doing this.”

Letters went out to 36 VFW posts, and the Dayton VA will be contacted as well in an attempt to reach as many veterans as possible.

Scheduling an appointment is imperative. “We are anticipating medical history concerns that we need to be aware of so we can do the treatment that day,” Muster said.

Veterans will be able to get fillings, extractions, root canals — anything that can be done in one visit.

“If you need five (fillings), we’re not going to do just one. We’ll actually do any and all fillings they need,” Muster said. “If we’re doing the extraction, we’re treating their chronic disease. If we’re doing fillings, we’re treating their basic needs.”

They will not be doing fixed or removable crowns or any multistep procedures.

“Whenever I met anyone who said they were a veteran I always thanked them,” Muster said. “This is a way for me to show them.”

ABC Dental, at 8376 Old Troy Pike, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (937) 938-7678 to schedule an appointment.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2374 or anwatson

DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Veterans need help. Thanks
I just had one tooth removed at the VA Dayton and it cost be 298.00. Right after extraction a problem occured. The VA refused to give me pain medication. I spent over 6 hours crying & begging in the ER. Read the correspondances between me & the VA. This happen Oct.15, 2009. I am a 65 years service connected veteran. Copy & paste this url

https://iris.va.gov/Scripts/iris.cf...

Steven L. Baker
7:33 AM, 11/5/2009

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America's Dentists Care Foundation Missions of Mercy does this too. All over the US and not just for vets but for everyone who is uninsured or just can't afford the co-pays. They ALWAYS need help and donations.
http://www.adcfmom.org/

Aharddaysnight
10:00 AM, 11/4/2009

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This is how America gets back on its feet -- one man like a Dr. Muster seeing a need and recruiting like-minded individuals to assist him. No bureaucrats and reams of government regulations to wade through -- just assisting folks who'll be eternally grateful. The answers to all of our national problems will be solved rapidly when we handle things locally instead of expecting Washington to get involved. Three cheers and free beers to these unselfish dentists! And God Bless America!

Log Cabin John
8:27 AM, 11/4/2009

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What a great thing to do. With cuts to VA care for our vets, which I am now one of, many of our older vets can't pay for dental care. My hat goes off to Dr. Muster and the rest of the dentists who offer this care.

Achmed
7:13 AM, 11/4/2009

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