The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has announced plans for construction of the first fixed dental clinic in the country at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. Through an exceptional public/private partnership with Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans Trust Fund (V4V) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Minnesota Foundation, the Minneapolis Veterans Home will be able to better serve Veterans for providing critical restorative dental care and an enhanced focus on oral healthcare.

“The first-in-the-nation partnership will help Minnesota Veterans access high quality dental care,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “I thank Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation for their commitment to Minnesota Veterans and their families. Veterans make great sacrifices on behalf of our state and nation. This unique Partnership will connect them with the care they need."

MDVA received three major grants for this project, including $100,000 from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, $60,000 from V4V, and $50,000 from the DAV of Minnesota Foundation. Conversations about the project began last year with the foundation and Dr. Bruce Templeton, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System Dental Chief. After hearing about the plans for their innovative solution, both V4V and the DAV also pledged financial support. Construction is expected to begin immediately, with completion estimated in the spring of 2018.

"When it comes to serving Veterans, I am continually inspired by the dedication of the leaders and staff on my team – and by the commitment from our partners. When we work together, all Veterans win,” said Larry Shellito, MDVA Commissioner. “This new dental clinic will bring more comprehensive oral health care right to our Veterans most in need.”

In the skilled nursing setting, the majority of models, including the Minneapolis Veterans Home, rely on mobile clinic dentistry programs to provide care. Challenges with mobile clinics include limited procedures, cost and time for setup and teardown, adequate space, durability of equipment and infection control. This innovative program will address all of those challenges and more, including a special focus on an interdisciplinary team approach to oral health care, serving Veterans Homes Residents in a familiar environment with staff support, specialized equipment that better serves those with cognitive impairments and physical disabilities, and a dental staff with expertise in dementia care and challenging behaviors. 

A Very small portion of Veterans are eligible for dental benefits through the VA Health Care system due to strict eligibility criteria. Veterans must be 100% service connected disabled through the Department of Veterans Affairs, or have a documented dental injury from their time in service. Because of the significant private pay cost, most Veterans who reside at the Minneapolis Veterans Home rely on other benefits or privately pay for dental services.

This new dental clinic puts MDVA in a unique position to assist Veterans in need in the State Veterans Home, and in the community. In addition to Residents at the Minneapolis Veterans Home, this clinic is expected to serve Residents at the nearby Hastings State Veterans Home and Veterans referred through the VA Hospital system.

MDVA is also considering similar projects for the Veterans Homes in Silver Bay, Fergus Falls and Luverne.