Some 75% of veterans are ineligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental benefits, according to new federal and nonprofit reports.
The VA provides dental benefits to some veterans, but the eligibility for outpatient dental care is different from other VA benefits and is categorized into classes. In many cases, only veterans with total service-connected disabilities, dental conditions or injuries, or former prisoners of war are eligible for dental care.
In Fiscal Year 2025, 888,051 veterans received dental care through the VA. More than 3.5 million dental procedures were delivered through community care providers.
Only 26% of some 9 million veterans who are enrolled in VA healthcare are eligible for dental treatment, according to The Well News, creating concerns for those with dental issues including tooth decay—which veterans are more than 60% more likely to experience than non-veterans, according to the report.
Military.com contacted the VA for comment.
The research follows an American Institute of Dental Public Health analysis finding that nearly 600,000 veterans experienced some loss of work productivity because of oral-health problems.
Another 45% have reported permanent teeth being removed due to pain or infection after leaving the service.
Increasing Access for Veterans Healthcare
The VA is looking to improve access to dental care
The department posted a request for proposals on Feb. 10 for a new dental care administrator to build and manage a nationwide network of community dental providers. Those interested had until March to submit proposals to the agency.
U.S. House Rep. Julia Brownly (D-Calif.) introduced the Dental Care for Veterans Act, which would expand eligibility for dental care. The legislation, which has received bipartisan support, is pending before the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs and also requires Senate confirmation.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Wilson, assigned to the 151st Medical Group, left, and Senior Airman Thomas Ekong Di Ekong, 59th Dental Squadron dental technician, perform dental work on a patient during Buffalo River Wellness at Marshall High School, Arkansas, July 22, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Megan Estrada)
More broadly, more than 200,000 veterans had enrolled in VA health care in 2026 as of early July—the fastest pace of new enrollment the system had ever recorded, according to the agency.
The VA has also opened 35 new health care facilities since January 2025 and offered more than 2.8 million appointments in FY25 outside normal operating hours.
Veterans can apply for VA health care online at va.gov/health-care/apply or by calling (877) 222-8387 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, or in person at any VA medical center. The online application takes approximately 30 minutes. Once enrolled, coverage is for life with no annual re-enrollment requirement.
Veterans who do not qualify for VA-provided dental care can also purchase discounted private insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program.
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