A New York state lawmaker is pushing to create a $5 million Dental Insurance program to help veterans gain access to routine and affordable dental care. Assemblyman David DiPietro, R-East Aurora, introduced bill A.9258 to establish a statewide veterans’ dental coverage initiative run through the state Department of Civil Service.
According to the Institute for Oral Health, nearly 80% of veterans who qualify for VA medical care do not qualify for dental benefits. The VA limits dental coverage to former prisoners of war, veterans who are 100% disabled, or those with service-related dental injuries. As a result, veterans often experience higher rates of gum disease, missing teeth, and treated decay compared to non-veterans. Many also live with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to poor oral health and higher out-of-pocket costs.
DiPietro argues the new Dental Insurance program is necessary because federal benefits leave too many veterans behind. In his legislative memo, he wrote that dental care is essential to overall health, yet many veterans face major barriers, especially those with partial disabilities or low incomes.
Advocates have spent years urging reforms, including expansions of the VETSmile program and increased VA Dentistry resources. Congress recently made progress: in December 2024, the U.S. House passed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act by a 382-12 vote. The bill—signed into law on Jan. 2, 2025—creates a pilot program that would allow certain veterans with ischemic heart disease to receive VA dental care for the first time. It also requires new reporting on provider reimbursement, VA staffing, and the expansion of low-cost dental programs for veterans.
Still, DiPietro says these steps are too slow. His proposal would place the state program within the existing state employee Dental Insurance system, giving veterans access to full and routine dental services. Veterans could not enroll if they already receive equal or better coverage from another insurer. The Civil Service commissioner would also set a sliding scale for copays based on income and disability ratings. Veterans with disabilities rated between 10% and 50% would pay reduced copays, while veterans rated at 50% or higher would pay none.
“This legislation fills that gap by establishing a state-administered Dental Insurance coverage program specifically for veterans,” DiPietro wrote. He said the approach uses existing infrastructure to provide efficient, high-quality care and reduces financial strain for veterans with limited income or severe disabilities. The goal, he added, is to improve veterans’ overall quality of life by addressing a long-overlooked part of their health care.