The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental services are very limited due to current laws. However, if you are recently discharged and your DoD discharge record, or (DD214), clearly indicates that either dental services were not provided within 90 days of discharge or that dental treatment was not completed during active duty may qualify you for VA dental care. You must apply for this limited dental care within 90 days of your separation from active duty.
SERVICES 101
Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs according to current laws. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited.Note: The Chart in this blog post describes dental eligibility criteria levels and contains information to assist veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care.
The VA Dental Corps program includes many current and former members of
the U.S. Armed Forces, who because of their own military experience, understand
your health concerns. VA dentists use the latest dental procedures and pain
control techniques. Most VA dentists have received advanced training in
their specialties. Your dental care is provided in modern clinics that adhere
to the highest standards of hygiene and infection control.
Types of Dental Services Offered by VA:
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.
In-patient Dental Program: If you are receiving hospital, nursing home or domiciliary care will be provided dental services that are professionally determined by a VA dentist, in consultation with the referring physician, to be essential to the management of the patient’s medical condition under active treatment.
For more information on your eligibility to receive VA medical and dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or www.va.gov/healtheligibility
Eligibility
VA services are provided to any veteran who:
For more information, and to apply for VA healthcare services, go to the Online 10-10EZ Application.
Dental service has very specific eligibility guidelines. For information on eligibility for dental care, visit the VA Health Eligibility Web site. For more information on your eligibility to receive VA medical and dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or www.va.gov/healtheligibility
·
Completed active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WW II)
·
Was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
·
National Guard members and Reservists who have completed a federal
deployment to a combat zone
If you are currently serving in the
military, and need assistance with your transition from DoD healthcare to VA
healthcare, you may get assistance from a military liaison. Military liaisons are present at Base Readiness
Centers and are instrumental in providing a multitude of connections between
the military and civilian communities. Liaisons are responsible for ensuring
that military orders are in place and all service-related transitional needs
are addressed in a timely manner.
For more information regarding
services available to returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service
members of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom visit: http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
Please note that only emergency services can be received through VA until your enrollment is processed.
SPECIFIC DENTAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY LEVELS:
If you:
|
You are eligible for:
|
Through
|
Have a service-connected compensated dental
disability or condition.
|
Any needed dental care
|
Class I
|
Are a former prisoner of war.
|
Any needed dental care.
|
Class IIC
|
Have service-connected disabilities rated at 100%, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to
service-connected conditions.
|
Any needed dental care.
|
Class IV
|
Apply for dental care within 180 days of
discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a
period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era.
|
One-time dental care if your DD214
certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental
examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to
discharge.*
|
Class II
|
Have a service-connected non-compensable dental
condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or service trauma.
|
Needed care for the service-connected condition(s).
A Dental Trauma Rating (VA Form 10-564-D) or VA Regional
Office Rating Decision letter (VA Form 10-7131) identifies the tooth/teeth
eligible for care.
|
Class IIA
|
Have a dental condition clinically determined by
VA to be associated with and aggravating a service-connected medical
condition.
|
Dental care to treat the oral conditions that are
determined by a VA dental professional to have a direct and material
detrimental effect to your service connected medical condition.
|
Class III
|
Are actively engaged in a 38 USC Chapter 31
vocational rehabilitation program.
|
Dental care to the extent necessary as determined
by a VA dental professional to:
·
Make possible your entrance into a rehabilitation
program
·
Achieve the goals of your vocational
rehabilitation program
·
Prevent interruption of your rehabilitation
program
·
Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program if
you are in interrupted or leave status
·
Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program of
a Veteran placed in discontinued status because of illness, injury or a
dental condition, or
·
Secure and adjust to employment during the period
of employment assistance, or enable you to achieve maximum independence in
daily living.
|
Class V
|
Are receiving VA care or are scheduled for inpatient
care and require dental care for a condition complicating a medical
condition currently under treatment.
|
Dental care to treat the oral conditions that are
determined by a VA dental professional to complicate your medical condition
currently under treatment.
|
Class VI
|
Are an enrolled veteran who may be homeless and
receiving care under VHA Directive 2007-039.
|
A one-time course of dental care that is
determined medically necessary to relieve pain, assist you to gain
employment, or treat moderate, severe, or complicated and severe gingival
and periodontal conditions.
|
Class IIB
|
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 interactive map on
the following VA linked page:
You may also be eligible for dental care through VA’s Project HERO. Project HERO is a
pilot program in four regions of the country that helps veterans get the care
they need when it is not readily available at their local Veterans Affairs
Medical Centers
- Project HERO provides access to the following types of care when the care is not readily available within the VA Medical Center:
- Medical/surgical specialty care
- Mental health
- Diagnostics
- Dialysis
- Dental care
Homeless Veterans Dental Care
The mission of the Homeless Veterans Dental Program is to increase the
accessibility of quality dental care to homeless Veteran patients and to help
assure success in VA-sponsored and VA partnership homeless rehabilitation
programs throughout the United
States .
VA’s Homeless Veterans Dental
Program was established by the Veterans Administration in 1992. The dental
needs of homeless Veterans are well documented. In surveys listing and ranking
the 10 highest unmet needs for homeless Veterans, dental care was consistently
ranked by homeless Veterans as one of their top 3 unmet needs, along with
long-term permanent housing and childcare. Dental problems, such as pain and/or
missing teeth can be tremendous barriers in seeking and obtaining employment.
Studies have shown that after dental care, Veterans report significant
improvement in perceived oral health, general health and overall self-esteem,
thus, supporting the notion that dental care is an important aspect of the
overall concept of homeless rehabilitation.
There is some limited dental eligibility for homeless Veterans who are
in certain VA-sponsored rehabilitation programs. Persons wishing to obtain
information regarding the homeless dental program in their area should contact
their nearest VA’s homeless coordinator by visiting: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1
or by simply visiting your closest VAMC, CBOC or Vet Center
Common Q & A's
Is it true that newly-separated veterans
can receive free dental care from VA? What is the eligibility for this service?
Yes, recently discharged veterans whose
discharge record (DD214) clearly indicates either that dental services were not
provided within 90 days of discharge or that dental treatment was not completed
who served on active duty 90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care
within 90 days of separation from active duty, may receive a onetime treatment
for dental conditions and follow up treatment for that specific dental
condition.
Is every veteran entitled to VA dental care?
No, current laws limit eligibility.You only have 90 days from your date of
separation to apply for any dental care or benefits you may need.
If you have dental concerns please
ask your doctor about the services available to you.
I am still on active duty, so can VA provide dental care to OIF/OEF
active duty service members being treated at VHA facilities?
Recently discharged veterans whose discharge record (DD214) clearly
indicates either that dental services were not provided within 90 days of
discharge or that dental treatment was not completed who served on active duty
90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care within 90 days of separation from
active duty, may receive a onetime treatment for dental conditions and follow
up treatment for that specific dental condition.
For more information regarding
services available to returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service
members of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn visit: http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
What Next?
In order to receive the benefits you have earned the first step is getting
enrolled in the VA healthcare system. You can enroll by calling toll-free
1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387),
visiting, or writing any VA healthcare facility, benefits office, or by using the online VA Form 10-10EZ.
If you are already enrolled in the VA health care system please speak
to your VA physician about what dental services are available to you. VA dental
services are located throughout the U.S. ,
Puerto Rico, and the Philippines
http://www.va.gov/DENTAL/ptdentlinks.asp
No comments:
Post a Comment