38 USC § 2062 - Dental care

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s2062"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 2062 - Dental care"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "2062"
section_name: "Dental care"
chapter_number: 20
chapter_name: "BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS"
subchapter_number: "VII"
subchapter_name: "OTHER PROVISIONS"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "GENERAL BENEFITS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 913.)"
---


# § 2062. Dental care

**(a)** **In General.—** For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H) of this title, outpatient dental services and treatment of a dental condition or disability of a veteran described in subsection (b) shall be considered to be medically necessary, subject to subsection (c), if—

**(1)** the dental services and treatment are necessary for the veteran to successfully gain or regain employment;

**(2)** the dental services and treatment are necessary to alleviate pain; or

**(3)** the dental services and treatment are necessary for treatment of moderate, severe, or severe and complicated gingival and periodontal pathology.

**(b)** **Eligible Veterans.—** Subsection (a) applies to a veteran—

**(1)** who is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this title; and

**(2)** who, for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving care (directly or by contract) in any of the following settings:

**(A)** A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title.

**(B)** A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this title.

**(C)** Community residential care coordinated by the Secretary under section 1730 of this title.

**(D)** A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for a grant and per diem provider.

**(3)** For purposes of paragraph (2), in determining whether a veteran has received treatment for a period of 60 consecutive days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the continuity of treatment for which the veteran is not responsible.

**(c)** **Limitation.—** Dental benefits provided by reason of this section shall be a one-time course of dental care provided in the same manner as the dental benefits provided to a newly discharged veteran.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 913.)