Landmark dental clinic for veterans opens on Henderson college campus

On the eve of Veterans Day, Roseman University and the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System launched a landmark partnership to expand dental care access for eligible local veterans.

The opening Tuesday of a 1,033-square-foot, five-chair dental clinic for veterans inside Roseman’s College of Dental Medicine on its Henderson campus marks the first standalone VA dental facility in the nation situated within a university dental school.

“Every veteran we serve deserves care close to home, and every future dentist deserves to learn what that care means. This partnership delivers both,” said Michael Kiefer, VASNHS executive director. “Roseman built the five-chair clinic; the VA brings the care and the mission. Students who rotate at the (VASNHS) will learn to serve veterans, and some may one day join the VA. That is how two institutions build something neither could alone.”

Under the innovative model, Roseman University funded and constructed the clinic, while the VA manages daily operations. Care is delivered by VA dental professionals.

“Partnering with (VASNHS) reflects Roseman University’s core mission to serve our community through innovative healthcare solutions,” said Renee Coffman, president and co-founder of Roseman University of Health Sciences. “We are deeply honored to host this groundbreaking facility on our Henderson campus and to expand quality care access for our region’s veterans.”

The new facility builds upon existing dental services offered at the main VA Medical Center in North Las Vegas, bringing VA dental care closer to home for veterans who live in Henderson and the southern valley. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday morning at the new clinic, supported by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and the Vegas Chamber.

“Veterans deserve timely access to exceptional dental care, and this innovative clinic helps make that possible,” said Dr. Yessenia Fields, chief of Dental Service for VASNHS. “What makes this effort truly remarkable is that it combines patient care and clinical education in a way that has never been done before within the VA system. By embedding VA dental professionals in an academic setting, we are expanding access for veterans, mentoring future dentists, and strengthening the pipeline of providers who understand the unique needs of those who have served our nation.”

In addition to veteran-specific care, family members of veterans can access affordable dental and orthodontic services directly through Roseman’s public clinical programs on the same campus, creating a comprehensive care hub for military families.

“Our College of Dental Medicine is committed to improving oral health and expanding access to care,” said Frank Licari, dean of Roseman’s College of Dental Medicine. “Welcoming VA to our Henderson campus puts that commitment into action for the men and women who have served our country. We are proud to provide a clinical home for VA dentists to care for veterans and to offer additional dental and orthodontic resources for their families through Roseman’s clinics.”

The VASNHS serves a region encompassing Clark, Lincoln, and Nye counties, home to approximately 147,000 veterans. Of those, approximately 129,000 are eligible for VA care and services, and approximately 86,000 are currently enrolled in VA care. The system served approximately 77,000 individual veterans in fiscal year 2026, completing more than 1.1 million outpatient appointments.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at [email protected]. Follow @tdewey33 on X.