The other day I had a bad toothache. Being unemployed and with no health insurance, I turned to the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. It would be my first time testing out the treatment on other things that were not directely related to my service connection.

After arriving, I witnessed the same old circus at the lobby and the clerk sent me around to various stations.

I finally got up to the Dental Clinic, waited, and waited again while in pain. I finally got x-rayed, then examined, and the young dentist told me the tooth needed to come out, but it had to be after lunch.

He also mentioned that I should come back and get the rest of the other things taken care of since it will be covered.

The tooth eventually got yanked 5 hrs after first checked in. I then had to wait in line for my meds.

My point is, though I've waited for awhile and had no private insurance. Uncle Sam did eventually took care of me. It is a benefit that most other Americans would love to have. For as much as I hate dealing with the VA, this, I am grateful.

iraqx2,
I noticed your profile shows 80 % SC.
Do you have a VA Dental Disability that is SC'd
or you were recently separated ?
Just wondering how you got the dental coverage from VA.
carlie

I thought being over 50% there is no co pay. At check in, I even asked that same question. Does not look like I am going to get a bill ( I hope ). I registered and went thru the Emergency Department.

I will also needed 3-4 more implants. The dentist said it would be covered. I must go thru my primary doc as an concult.

Yeah, I thought no dental coverage, unless it was SC condition???

Eric

I hope that they do take care of Iraqx2.

Its possible that the Dentist he saw today did not know who is covered. At least at 80% no copay

Did you say implants? Like the permanent type that are put into your jaw bone?? If so, let me tell you how much those cost in the real world because my son is having to have that done.
Just the implant is $1,600
The crown is $900
...that is per tooth.
If you need a bone graft procedure to build up the surrounding bone material...that can cost an additional $500-$800.

iraqx2,
I noticed your profile shows 80 % SC.
Do you have a VA Dental Disability that is SC'd
or you were recently separated ?
Just wondering how you got the dental coverage from VA.
carlie

You get dental benefits if you are 100% or IU or your dental is SC. Otherwise they just pull the teeth in an emergency. They will still charge you unless you just got out of the service.

Does anyone know if the VA will pay for dental implants for me 100% SC and for

husband.

Thanks,

Betty

Josephine:

The chances of getting implants from VA Dentist in Dallas is somewhere between slim and none. Your Dentist has to recommend them first and than a committee of VA stooges decide. I have never met a Vet yet in Dallas that got implants at Dallas VA.

Reasons that they use to turn down

Smoking

Diabetes

Gum Disease

Their assessment if you will keep your motuh clean after you have them

Bone loss

Thanks Pete,

I thought that may be a little too generous of them.

Always,

Betty

Pete

The Tampa VAMC dental turned me down for an implant. They said I would never miss that tooth. My dentist on the outside said that was BS, and that if I did not get the implant I would lose the opposing tooth. They are just cheap bastards and that is all there is to it.

This is why I've asked iraqx2, twice how he got the Dental benefit.

His profile only shows 80 % SC.
Going thru past post he's been out way longer than 90 days.

All I can figure is:
1) he has a SC'd dental disability - OR
2) his PCP has requested dental treatment to treat something
that is aggravating a SC'd disability - OR
3) He is in the Vocational Rehab Program

I have a feeling it is # 3.

carlie

they are giving me a hard time getting dentures forget implants and I am 100% I can't see the VA doing implants when they give vets a hard time just getting plates made

Testvet-
Go over their head. Don't take "no" for an answer. File a complaint via the IRIS system...contact your Congressperson, get the pt advocate involved...all of it.

Implants are very expensive and I'd be shocked if the VA paid for those as well when the lesser expensive alternative is a bridge.

I was shocked a few years ago though when the Dayton VAMC dental clinic paid for me to have a gold...yup gold crown! The dentist said it would hold up better over time. Wow.

The Dentists I have had work on me at VA have always been on my side. Its the damn VA that makes things so difficult

I had surgury on my face to get a basal cell carcinoma removed. It would have cost me $3200 but the VA paid in full and it wasn't S/C. I guess the VA does pay for certain things even though they aren't S/C. I was on VocRehab though so maybe that's why it was covered. Not sure but was happy to get it done and over with.

Frank

I thought they would do dental emergencies if it could impact your overall health.. I think an abcess( sp?) would be serious, that infection can spread easily.

The VA preaches about oral health but they won't pay a dime unless you are SC'ed for your teeth or 100%. I am TDIU. I am told I am entitled to one dental exam every two years. That is not acceptable. I paid for my own implant....$3000. You cannot put a brige unless you have something to hang it off and this was a back molar with an opposing molar. Every civilian dentist I talked to said I need to get an implant if I wanted to save the opposing molar. I think I will just go back to my civlian dentist for an exam. I am not waiting two years or until I have a toothache. I thought the VA was big on prevention? No, I think they are big at evasion.

Supposedly vets returning from Iraq now have 5 years free medical coverage. Maybe that also includes dental?
Bergie

Bergie

The VA yanked your tooth. What are they going to do to replace it? Even people living in deep poverty can be toothless. If you are on welfare you can get dentures. Since you are IU the VA owes you total and complete health care including dental.

The five years does not apply to dental.
carlie

here is the fact sheet from the va site.. it is new, dated june 2009


http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Librar...ntal/Dental.pdf

For some having Dental at VA nt so hot either