---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 2062"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "2062"
heading: "Dental care"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/2062"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 20 — Benefits for Homeless Veterans"
  - "Subchapter VII — Other Provisions"
---

# §2062. Dental care

- (a) **In General.—** For purposes of [section 1712(a)(1)(H) of this title](/usc/38/1712.md?p=a-1-H), outpatient dental services and treatment of a dental condition or [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) of a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) described in [subsection (b)](#b) shall be considered to be medically necessary, subject to [subsection (c)](#c), if—
  - (1) the dental services and treatment are necessary for the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) 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)](#a) applies to a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1)—
  - (1) who is enrolled for care under [section 1705(a) of this title](/usc/38/1705.md?p=a); 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](/usc/38/1710.md).
    - (B) A therapeutic residence under [section 2032 of this title](/usc/38/2032.md).
    - (C) Community residential care coordinated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) under [section 1730 of this title](/usc/38/1730.md).
    - (D) A setting for which the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) provides funds for a [grant and per diem provider](/usc/38/2002.md?p=a-2).
  - (3) For purposes of [paragraph (2)](#b-2), in determining whether a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) has received treatment for a period of 60 consecutive days, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may disregard breaks in the continuity of treatment for which the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) 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](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).

## Source credit

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