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Of the 9 million veterans who are eligible for medical care through the Veterans Health Administration, only 20% are eligible for dental benefits. This fact sheet from CareQuest Institute highlights the challenges — including the health risks and financial burdens — veterans face in accessing dental care.
Policy steps to strengthen dental access for veterans include broadening dental coverage for high-risk veterans and strengthening the Community Care Network.
By addressing barriers to affordable dental care, policymakers can improve access to necessary care for veterans while reducing long-term health care costs associated with poor oral health.
You may also be interested in:
- Oral Health Is Essential to Veteran Productivity and Well-Being, a report exploring the lost productivity due to oral health problems experienced by 600,000 veterans in a single year.
- Veteran Oral Health: Expanding Access and Equity, a white paper investigating the social, structural, and individual drivers of poor oral health outcomes experienced by veterans.
- Veteran Dental Care Stimulates the Economy and Improves Overall Health, a report that estimates the potential savings ($7 billion) from providing preventive dental care for veterans.