VA Dentistry - Improving Veterans’ Oral Health

Veteran Patient Information

Understanding Veterans' Needs

Patients are treated by compassionate and responsive dental staff familiar with the unique health care needs of Veterans. VA dental providers include many current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who because of their own military experience, understand Veterans' health care concerns.

Just got out of the service? You may be entitled to a free dental exam! You must have served in active duty for 90 days or more and your DD214 must not show that you received a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental care prior to your separation. You need to apply for this free VA dental care within 180 days (6 months) of discharge. Note that if you experienced “dental trauma” while in an active duty status, you may be eligible for lifelong dental care associated with this trauma and receive a service connected disability.

If you've never applied for VA health care, use the Apply for VA health care benefits webpage (and optionally create a secure Veteran account with VA.gov). See also the Eligibility for VA Dental Care Benefits section below.

Highly Trained Dentists

VA dentists use the latest dental procedures and pain control techniques. Most VA dentists have received advanced training in their specialties.

State-of-the-Art Clinics

Veteran dental care is provided in modern clinics that adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and infection control.

Types of Services

Dental benefits include a full range of services for eligible Veterans. Below are some of the many services offered by VA Dentistry:

• Regularly scheduled cleaning and x-rays.
• Restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns and bridges.
• Comfortable, well-fitting dentures.
• Oral surgery such as tooth extractions.
• Access to oral and facial reconstruction surgery resulting from trauma or serious illness.

Clinic Locations

VA dental services are located throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. You can find a dental clinic in your area by using the Dental Clinic Locations Finder.

Eligibility for VA Dental Care Benefits

VA dental care eligibility and Veteran dental care benefits are based on a number of factors. All Veterans are encouraged to contact their nearest VA to find out if they qualify for dental care benefits. Those eligible receive the necessary VA dental care to maintain, restore, and improve oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. As stated at the top of this webpage, you may be eligible for a free one-time course of dental care. Take a look at the Dental Benefits for Veterans (IB 10-442) document that explains the various dental eligibility classes. Also see this webpage: What VA dental benefits do I qualify for? Other useful webpages are:

• Access and Manage Your VA Benefits and Health Care
• Health Benefits Reference Library
• VA MISSION Act
• MISSION Act Community Care Pamphlet
• General Steps for Receiving Community Care
• VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP)
• Veterans Health Benefits Cost of Care
• Homeless Veterans Dental Program

Additional helpful and useful links for Veterans can be found on this VA Dentistry webpage: Useful Links for Veteran Dental Patients.

Create/Manage Your Personal Health Record, Refill Prescriptions, Track Appointments and Communicate via Secure Messaging

Learn how to create and manage your own Personal Health Record (PHR), one that you have total control over, by going to My HealtheVet. My HealtheVet was designed for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. It allows you to partner with your health care team to manage your own health care, refill prescriptions, keep track of your upcoming VA medical appointments and communicate securely online with your health care providers. On a scale from 1 to 10 this Veteran rates it a 15!

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