Optum Serve will be the dental care administrator that will build, manage and maintain a robust national network of licensed dental providers and practitioners. The network is scheduled to be fully implemented within a year of the contract award and will include general and specialty dental care, preventive dental services and pharmacy support. Additional award information is available at SAM.gov.
The contract was negotiated under VA’s next generation Community Care contract structure, which is aimed at delivering more choices for Veterans and ensuring VA has the proper oversight and accountability over how care is delivered in the community. Under that structure, the new dental contract will:
- Give Veterans access to a single, broad, national network of community dental providers, including both general and specialty care.
- Provide Veterans with more consistent, reliable and high-quality dental care across the country.
- Strengthen VA’s ability to oversee and streamline community dental services to better serve Veterans.
VA’s community care program enables Veterans to access healthcare from non-VA medical providers at the department’s expense. Community care has been an integral part of caring for Veterans since the World War II era. In 2018, President Trump enshrined this right for Veterans by signing the bipartisan MISSION Act. Today, about 40% of all VA care is provided through community care.
Of the nearly nine million Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, approximately 26% are eligible for dental care. In fiscal year 2025 alone, 888,051 Veterans received dental care through VA, with more than 3.5 million dental procedures delivered through community care.
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Maybe if I had joined the Israeli army I would have dental care.
If you’re a veteran enrolled in VA Health Care and NOT currently eligible to utilize VA Dental Care, the time is NIW for you to self advocate! There’s a bill currently in the US House of Representatives to bring VA Dental Care access to ALL VA Health Care enrollees. The bill is HR210: Dental Care for Veterans Act. There are currently 113 cosponsors, a very good number, but more support is needed to bring this bill to law. The bill is supported by EVERY major Veterans Service Organization, as indicated by their, on Congressional Record, letters of support. Is your US Representative a supporter of HR210? Has he, or she cosponsored the bill? To bring this Dental Care to all VA Health Care enrollees, your action is needed. Call your US Representative at Washington DC office (202-225-….) and leave a message for the Legislative Director and your Congressional Representative. It’s up to you to bring this to your fellow veterans. Community Care will be improving and let’s bring this improved dental care benefit to all VA enrollees. (HR210 has a four year phase in to implement the coverage.) It’s up to you! Every phone call matters. Every email matters. Be The One to bring this important health care bill across the finish line.
I am 100% VA disabled veteran eligible for community care and dental care. My experience with Community care and the dental care system in the VA was a complete disaster. I had to go out and find my own Dental Care and paid for it out of my pocket. There is no system to pay me back for my expense.
Former Dental Administrative Officer and hiring authority Dental Service and the Hiring Authority, the VA can NOT or WON’T compete with the pay of dental assistants, dental hygiene or dental lab. The outside pays approximately 20% to 30% more making it extreamly difficult to hire for the VA. Do the research. For reference, cities who pay range is in the bracket of “rest of the United States.”
My name is Mr. Larry Holcomb
To Whom This May Concern;
I am contacting u today to get some info. as to know what percentage does a veteran have to have to qualify for this dental service?
Thanks
MR. L. Holcomb
[Editor: Never post your sensitive information on the internet. I have deleted it for your safety. To learn more about VA Dental, go to https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care/ ]
This is yet another article about the VA wanting to provide for more dental care for those veterans who are eligible for it. This is a good thing…but only for those veterans eligible for dental care through the VA. I would like to see an article about expanding the eligibility requirements.
H. R. 210 would require the VA to treat dental care like the other medical specialties, but it only has 113 cosponsors. If you want this bill to pass, then tell your congressman to cosponsor it; if you don’t get involved in advancing this bill, then don’t complain.
Veteran and Spouse entitled to noncovered Dental Procedures, like teeth implants, partials, crowns, bridges, surgeries under the Mission Act.
what about the window spouse l am swallowing poison for 15 year
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I’m sorry that is terrible. They have been a vendor and do not follow the SEOC. For example massage has the option for 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes. They will pay the 60 minutes without documentation or the approval
As a disabled veteran my experience with OptumServe CMP exams have been terrible. The fact VA has invested this much is clearly because the exams favor VA most of the times and not the veteran.
This is a Great initiative for all of us …we have Excellent Care @ VA & in the Community…Thanks VA
Yes Dental care for all U S Veterans!
It’s bin long overdue,! Thanks
It sounds like dental care is still only for 100% vets