The Montana VA Health Care System broke ground Wednesday on a standalone dental clinic in Helena, the first facility of its kind in the state’s VA system.

The 12,758-square-foot clinic will be built off Cromwell Dixon Lane, across from Costco. Construction is expected to finish around this time next year, with TWH Helena Mob LLC serving as contractor.

Expanded Dental Capacity

The project carries a construction cost of $8,288,470 and will increase Montana VA dental capacity from four operatories to 12. Two of the operatories will be designed for surgery, specialty services and patients with disabilities or limited mobility.

The building will include 19 treatment rooms, along with laboratory and X-ray space. Planned services include routine exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, gum treatments, dentures and oral cancer screenings.

Kimberly Adkins said the number of veterans meeting VA dental eligibility criteria has doubled over the past five years, creating a need for additional space.

Wait Times and Eligibility

Duane Cunningham said he waited three months for his first dental appointment. Depending on the procedure, appointment waits can reach 20 to 30 days.

The Montana VA expects the new clinic to reduce waits to single-digit days after it becomes fully operational.

In fiscal year 2026, 11,425 veterans were eligible for dental care through the Montana VA, compared with 5,451 in fiscal year 2019—an increase of nearly 110%. The system’s in-house dental capacity has grown by more than 73% since fiscal year 2022.

More than 880,000 veterans received dental care through the VA nationwide last year.