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Ninth District Headquarters Office - Hawthorne, NY

2026 Ninth District President

Dr. Bharat Joshi

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3 EASY WAYS TO PAY 1 ONLINE: nysdental.org/renew 2 MAIL: Return dues stub and payment 3 PHONE: 1-800-255-2100
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Welcome to the Ninth District Dental Association

The Ninth District Dental Society was formed in 1909 and renamed to the Ninth District Dental Association in 2002. We have a membership of over 1200 dentists in 5 counties: Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange and Putnam.

In its quest to serve both the public and the profession, the Ninth District embodies the highest ideals.

The mission of the 9th District Dental Association is to serve and support its members and the public by improving the oral health of our community through Advocacy, Continuing Education and Camaraderie.

The 9th Board approved creating a High School Career Day video to promote the dental field as a whole! Here's the link: 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kk10wFBk5MXT4CeitvzzCSXKPrVFzz73/view?usp=drive_link

 

Please share it with any Principal or Guidance Counselor you may have a relationship with!

Come join your colleagues! 

New Dentist Reception
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Captain Lawrence Brewery
444 Saw Mill River Rd
Elmsford, NY  10523
914-741-2337

To register, email:
stephan@ninthdistrict.org

Or call 914-747-1199

Co-Sponsors (names are links to their website)

DDSMatch
MLMIC Insurance Company
Singular Anesthesia Services
Southridge Technology


GAO Issues Report on Veterans Eligibility for and Use of Dental Benefits

Sep 23, 2026

Veterans Health Care: Information on Eligibility for and Use of Dental Benefits

United States Government Accountability Office (GAO)

GAO-26-108467  Published: Sep 23, 2026.  Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2026.

Fast Facts

Poor oral health can affect overall health and may be linked to serious conditions like heart disease.  The Department of Veterans Affairs offers dental benefits to eligible veterans.  Congress has considered expanding eligibility to veterans who've been diagnosed with heart disease.  The VA committed to spend $3.1 billion on dental care in FY 25 and expects costs to increase.  We found that in FYs 20-25, the number of veterans eligible for dental benefits increased about 70%, to 2.3 million.  Expanding eligibility to those with heart disease could add over 600,000 to the total.  It may also require more dentists, hygienists, and dental clinic space.

Highlights

What GAO Found

More than 9 million enrolled veterans are eligible to receive health care services through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) each year.  Veterans who meet certain requirements (such as having a 100 percent service-connected disability or being former prisoners of war) are also eligible to receive VA dental benefits.  According to VA, about 26 percent of VHA-enrolled veterans were eligible to receive dental benefits as of February 2026.  According to VHA data, the number of veterans eligible for VA dental benefits increased from fiscal years 2020 through 2025, resulting in an overall increase of approximately 70 percent from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2025.

Number of VHA-Enrolled Veterans Eligible for VA Dental Benefits, Fiscal Years 2020–2025

Number of VHA-Enrolled Veterans Eligible for VA Dental Benefits, Fiscal Years 2020–2025

The increase in the number of veterans eligible for dental benefits was largely driven by increases in veterans eligible because of a 100 percent service-connected disability rating or a 100 percent service-connection compensation rate due to the inability to work, according to VHA data.  GAO’s review of VHA data regarding demographic characteristics of veterans eligible for VA dental benefits (age, sex, race and ethnicity, and rurality of residence) from 2020 through 2025 found that the largest increase in veterans eligible for VA dental benefits occurred among younger veterans (under age 50).  Specifically, younger veterans composed 21 percent of eligible veterans in 2020 compared to 36 percent in 2025.  Other demographic characteristics of veterans remained relatively constant.  Using VHA data for 2025, GAO estimated that if all veterans with heart disease were eligible for dental benefits, the number of veterans eligible for VA dental benefits could increase by 25 percent from about 2.45 million to about 3.07 million.  VHA officials and dental providers from selected facilities reported that if such an expansion were to occur, VA may need to consider hiring additional dental providers and increasing dental clinic space to accommodate it.

Why GAO Did This Study

According to VA, poor oral health can affect veterans’ overall health.  Additionally, the American Heart Association and others have reported a link between poor oral health and other serious health conditions, such as heart disease.  Congress has considered expanding eligibility for VA dental benefits to veterans with a diagnosis of heart disease.  For example, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act required VA to begin a pilot program in 2026 in which VA provides dental benefits to certain veterans with heart disease.  The act also includes a provision for GAO to examine VA dental services and benefits.  This report describes (1) the population of veterans eligible for VA dental benefits and (2) the potential effect of including all veterans with heart disease in the population eligible for VA dental benefits.  GAO interviewed VHA officials and reviewed VHA documentation and data for calendar and fiscal years 2020 through 2025, the most recent full years of data available.  GAO interviewed dental providers and staff from three VHA facilities, selected because they participated in a pilot program through which veterans without VA dental benefits could receive free or reduced-cost dental care.  GAO also collected information from VA lead dentists and interviewed representatives from four relevant national organizations and three veterans service organizations, selected because they represent dental providers or could provide information about veterans’ dental care experiences.

Full Report

View Full Report Online

Highlights Page

(1 page)

Full Report

(79 pages)

Around the Ninth District

Westchester & Greenwich Interdisciplinary Study Group

The Ninth District Dental Association is an ADA CERP-recognized provider approved by the New York State Dental Association. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry. The Ninth District Dental Association designates this activity for _2.5_ Mandatory Continuing Education Credits. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the commission for continuing education provider recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org. Mr. Rusinowski has no financial relationships relevant to this presentation to disclose.
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Live Webinar: "Demystifying Dental Benefits"

The Ninth District Dental Association is an ADA CERP-recognized provider approved by the New York State Dental Association. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry. The Ninth District Dental Association designates this activity for 2 Continuing Education Credits. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the commission for continuing education provider recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org. Dr. Patel has no financial relationships relevant to this presentation to disclose.
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Westchester & Greenwich Interdisciplinary Study Group

The Ninth District Dental Association is an ADA CERP-recognized provider approved by the New York State Dental Association. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry. The Ninth District Dental Association designates this activity for _2.5_ Mandatory Continuing Education Credits. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the commission for continuing education provider recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org. Dr. Beninati has no financial relationships relevant to this presentation to disclose.
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Continuing Education Club of Westchester

The Ninth District Dental Association is an ADA CERP-recognized provider approved by the New York State Dental Association. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry. The Ninth District Dental Association designates this activity for 2 Mandatory Continuing Education Credits. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the commission for continuing education provider recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org. Drs. Clark, Korban, Santiago & Chinitz have no financial relationships relevant to this presentation to disclose.
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Live Webinar: Effective, Non-Surgical Treatment of Periodontal Disease for Dentists and Hygienists

The Ninth District Dental Association is an ADA CERP-recognized provider approved by the New York State Dental Association. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry. The Ninth District Dental Association designates this activity for 2 Mandatory Continuing Education Credits. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the commission for continuing education provider recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org. Dr. Sternberg has no financial relationships relevant to this presentation to disclose.
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