Dental Services
VA Portland Health Care System provides comprehensive dental services including, but not limited to: exams, Xrays, fillings, dentures and oral surgery to eligible* Veterans. VA Dentistry strives to be the benchmark of excellence and value in oral health care by providing exemplary services that are both patient-centered and evidence-based.
Urgent/Emergent Care for eligible Veterans
During business hours: All requests for urgent dental care should be made by calling the Dental clinic first. We recommend calling in the morning. A dental staff member will take or return your call, typically within two hours. Staff will triage your condition and appoint as appropriate.
Direct walk up to the dental clinic without an appointment is highly discouraged. Unscheduled walk ups may not be able to be accommodated the same day based on the clinical conditions.
Clinic telephone numbers
Portland: 503-273-5024 (and for general program information)
Vancouver: 360-619-5990
Outside of Business Hours: Report to Emergency Department at PVAMC or a local emergency department for emergent issues.
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
• Oral and facial reconstruction resulting from trauma or serious illness
Service Animal Policy
Per VHA Directive 1188, service animals are not permitted in areas where invasive procedures are being performed, including dental exam rooms, and other areas. VA staff cannot care for a Veteran’s animal so the handler or the alternate handler (e.g. family member) must be responsible for control of the service animal at all times. Veterans are encouraged to make proper arrangements prior to scheduled appointments.
Dental Residency Program
VA Portland offers a general practice residency in dentistry program approved by the American Dental Association and affiliated with Oregon Health Sciences University.