VA Highlights Its Role in Training U.S. Dental Residents and Students

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says it provides clinical experience each year to about 1,000 dental residents and students at VA medical centers nationwide, according to a November 3, 2026, VA Careers article.

VA said nearly half of all dentists in postgraduate dental education programs in the United States rotate through a VA facility at some point in their training. The department described itself as one of the largest sponsors of advanced dental training positions in the country.

According to VA, its Medical and Dental Education Program pairs academic institutions with VA medical centers to deliver graduate-level dental training. Trainees learn from VA dental faculty, many of whom hold joint appointments with university dental schools, in clinical and research settings.

VA said it sponsors 70 dental residency programs at facilities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. All are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, VA said. They include General Practice Residency programs in one- and two-year formats, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, and specialty residencies in endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics.

VA said residents treat Veteran patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. George Kokkinos, a dental resident at the New York Harbor Healthcare System, said in the article that residents are trained on the latest scanners, materials and techniques.

VA said more information on dental careers is available through VA Careers.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/735