VA Dental Care

VA dental care is not part of the standard medical benefits package. Eligibility runs by class under 38 C.F.R. 17.161, and each class carries its own scope. Class IV is any needed dental care for a veteran with service-connected disabilities rated 100%, or paid at the 100% rate because of individual unemployability. A temporary 100% rating, such as one for a hospital stay, does not count. Class IIC is any needed dental care for a former prisoner of war. Class I covers a service-connected dental condition or disability that is compensable. Class II is one-time dental care for a recently discharged veteran who applies within 180 days of separation after 90 days or more of active service and whose separation papers do not show that a complete dental exam and treatment were done before discharge. Other classes reach a homeless veteran in a VA program, a veteran in Veteran Readiness and Employment who needs dental care to reach the employment goal, and a veteran whose dental condition is aggravating a service-connected medical condition. A veteran outside those classes can buy dental insurance at a reduced rate through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP), which CHAMPVA beneficiaries can also use.