Zufall Health and County of Morris Partner to Provide Dental Services to Veterans

Zufall Health, in collaboration with the County of Morris, has launched a new program to provide affordable dental care to veterans in northern New Jersey, many of whom are not eligible for service-related dental benefits.

Twice each month, Zufall is bringing its Highlands Health Van to the Veterans’ Clinic site at 340 West Hanover Ave. in Morris Township where hundreds of veterans who utilize the Clinic monthly will now be able to see a dentist. The program, which provides direct, much-needed access and discounted services, is one of the first of its kind in the state.“This initiative gives us a great opportunity to better serve our region’s veterans population,” said Eva Turbiner, Zufall’s president and chief executive officer. “We are indeed grateful for the county’s collaboration and the cooperation of the Veterans Administration without which this would not have been possible.”For the Morris County Freeholders, establishing this program builds on the board’s long history of serving veterans’ needs.

“It was nearly 14 years ago that the Freeholders joined with the Veterans Administration and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen to open our Clinic which greatly improved convenience and health care options for veterans in Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties,” recalled Freeholder John Krickus. “This program is a perfect complement to the services already provided and we’re really proud to join with Zufall so that our patients can take advantage of all it offers.”

Veterans who can pre-register on site will receive a free first visit which may include an oral/dental screening exam, teeth polishing, fluoride treatment, and/or x-rays. If further treatment is needed, patients can schedule a follow-up visit to receive services at a discounted rate at one of Zufall’s fixed dental sites in Dover, Morristown, or Flemington.

Charles Jurgensen, Morris County Veterans Service Officer, who is a daily presence at the Clinic, will be available to help provide vets with quick access to the program.

“This really completes the portfolio for needed health care not only for veterans enrolled in the VA Health System, but for veterans, who for various reasons, are unable to participate,” he said. “Now, every veteran will have an opportunity for affordable dental care.”

Veterans interested in getting more information about the program can contact Jurgensen at cjurgensen@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973/285-6866.

Some of the support for this program is provided by funding Zufall receives from global pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo for the 37-foot, eco-friendly Highlands Health Van’s operation. The program is also supported by a grant from The Alcoa Foundation which funds one day of van services in Morris County each week.