Adopt A Vet Dental opens nation’s first veterans-focused dental clinic in Nevada; organizers say no state funds used

Representatives of Adopt A Vet Dental briefed the subcommittee during public comment about the organization’s new clinical facility for veterans.

Why it matters: Organizers said the clinic is the first in the nation built specifically to provide dental care for veterans who do not qualify for dental coverage through the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. They described partnerships with dental residency programs and technology investments intended to accelerate restorative care.

Demi Gonzalez, chief executive officer of Adopt A Vet Dental, said the 10,200-square-foot clinic opened after a four‑year private fundraising effort and that no state funds were used for construction. Gonzalez said the clinic will host residents from accredited programs — including placements from NYU and Roseman University — and expects a meaningful increase in treatment capacity. She described in-house milling equipment and same‑day prosthetic capability; Gonzalez said the program projected roughly 6,024 appointments in fiscal year 2024 once residency support is in place, compared with 248 patients who received extensive restorative care in an earlier year.

Linda Haigh, president and founder, and Chelsea Patterson, executive director, also spoke about the organization’s volunteer dentist network and weekly appointment statistics. Organizers asked committee members to visit the clinic and said they would provide additional information to legislative staff.

No committee action followed; the remarks were made during the public-comment period.