(Photo: Joseph Shohmelian)
Millions of Veterans who receive VA healthcare but don’t qualify for dental treatment could gain coverage under legislation that has new support from the American Dental Association.
The Dental Care for Veterans Act (H.R. 210), introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) would extend dental benefits to all Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. The American Dental Association endorsed the bill in a Nov. 9 letter, calling for additional funding and staffing to support the expansion.
According to a September report from the Government Accountability Office, more than nine million Veterans are enrolled in VA healthcare, but only about 26 percent qualified for dental benefits as of February 2026.
Currently, Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, certain service-connected dental conditions, or former prisoner-of-war status may qualify for full dental care. Others may receive limited treatment depending on their circumstances. For example, a Veteran with a 70% disability rating does not automatically qualify for dental care, even if they receive other medical services through the VA.
The Dental Care for Veterans Act would expand eligibility over four years using VA healthcare priority groups. Veterans who already qualify would retain their benefits. Groups 1 and 2 would become eligible after the first year, with coverage gradually extending to groups 7 and 8 after the fourth year.
VA assigns Veterans to eight priority groups based on factors that include service-connected disability ratings, income, and military service history. Those groups already affect enrollment priority and whether some Veterans owe copayments for care. The legislation would use that existing system to determine when newly eligible Veterans could receive dental services.
The American Dental Association wants the expanded benefits to include preventive care, examinations, fillings, and other necessary dental treatment. The organization has also called on Congress to fund additional dental professionals, facilities, and treatment through private practices participating in VA’s Community Care Program.
Staffing remains a major concern. The Government Accountability Office found that dental leaders across all 18 VA regional healthcare networks reported insufficient staffing to meet existing demand as of February 2026.
The bill was introduced in January 2025 and was heard by Congress on May 20, 2026. It remains in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and has not been approved for a full House vote. VA officials opposed the bill during a congressional hearing in March, warning that the expansion would require considerable resources and lead to a large increase in patients seeking treatment.
Until eligibility rules change, Veterans who do not qualify for VA dental care can purchase private coverage through the VA Dental Insurance Program. Veterans are responsible for premiums and applicable out-of-pocket costs.