Christian Simmons, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Christian Simmons

    Christian Simmons

    Financial Writer

    Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Savannah Pittle
    Savannah Pittle, senior financial editor for RetireGuide

    Savannah Pittle

    Senior Financial Editor

    Savannah Pittle is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.

    Read More
  • Reviewed By
    Aflak Chowdhury
    Aflak Chowdhury

    Aflak Chowdhury

    Medicare Expert

    Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market.

    Read More
  • Published: June 16, 2020
  • Updated: October 13, 2023
  • 7 min read time
  • This page features 12 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

Cite Us
How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Simmons, C. (2023, October 13). Medicare and Dental Coverage. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/

MLA Simmons, Christian. "Medicare and Dental Coverage." RetireGuide.com, 13 Oct 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/.

Chicago Simmons, Christian. "Medicare and Dental Coverage." RetireGuide.com. Last modified October 13, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/.

Why Trust RetireGuide.com
Why You Can Trust Us

Content created by RetireGuide and sponsored by our partners.

Key Principles

RetireGuide’s mission is to provide seniors with resources that will help them reach important financial decisions that affect their retirement. Our goal is to arm our readers with knowledge that will lead to a healthy and financially sound retirement.

We’re dedicated to providing thoroughly researched Medicare information that guides you toward making the best possible health decisions for you and your family.

RetireGuide LLC has partnerships with Senior Market Sales (SMS) and GoHealth.

Our partners are able to be reached through the phone numbers and/or forms provided on our website.

The content and tools created by RetireGuide adhere to strict Medicare and editorial guidelines to ensure quality and transparency.

Editorial Independence

While the experts from our partners are available to help you navigate various Medicare plans, RetireGuide retains complete editorial control over the information it publishes.

We operate independently from our partners, which allows the award-winning RetireGuide team to provide you with unbiased information.

Visitors can trust our inflexibility regarding our editorial autonomy. We do not allow our partnership to influence RetireGuide’s editorial content whatsoever.
Dental Coverage at a Glance
Medicare PlanDental Coverage
Part A (Inpatient) Not covered except in rare circumstances.
Part B (Outpatient)Not covered except in rare circumstances.
Part C (Medicare Advantage) Many Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits to help pay for dental services.
Part D (Prescription Drugs) N/A
Supplemental InsuranceMedigap does not cover dental services.

Does Medicare Cover Dental?

While Medicare covers different types of services and procedures, dental service is almost never included. This means, even if you qualify for Medicare, you will not be covered for routine dental visits or more extensive operations.

This means, Medicare does not cover x-rays, oral exams, fluoride treatment, cleaning and fillings for cavities. Extensive dental operations not covered by Medicare include dental bridges, root canals, dentures, dental implants and oral surgery.

Medigap, also known as Medicare supplement plans, does not provide dental coverage either.

Dental services have always been excluded from Medicare. The only change in coverage was made in 1980, when Medicare began covering dental procedures under inpatient hospital services only if the dental issue is what caused the hospitalization.

Exceptions for When Medicare Covers Dental
  • Dental services that are critical to a larger procedure like facial reconstruction after an accident
  • Tooth extraction that is needed to prepare for radiation treatment
  • Oral exams that are to prepare for a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement

In the rare circumstances when your dental care meets one of the listed exceptions, different parts of Medicare will cover different services.

For example, Part A will cover oral examinations needed for inpatient-related care, like before a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement. Part B only covers medically necessary dental care and services performed by a physician.

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Dental Care

Since dental services are not covered by Medicare, they are often a major expense for seniors. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who used any dental service spent more than $1,000 out-of-pocket. The average out-of-pocket cost of dental care is $922.

High costs are exacerbated by the fact that dental health becomes more important as you age. Seniors are also more likely to require medications that could affect their dental health by causing dry mouth, which can lead to many health issues.

But high costs without coverage seem to be driving people away from seeking care. The Kaiser Family Foundation also noted that almost half of beneficiaries didn’t visit a dentist once in a given year.

Medicare Beneficiaries Who Needed Dental Care How Much They Spent Out-of-Pocket
3.2 million beneficiaries $0
16.9 million beneficiaries $1 to $500
3.4 million beneficiaries $501 to $1,000
2.3 million beneficiaries $1,001 to $2,000
3.2 million beneficiaries $2,001 or more
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
Have you selected your 2024 Medicare plan?
Maximize your Medicare savings by connecting with a licensed insurance agent. Annual Enrollment is open until December 7th.

Does Medicare Advantage Cover Dental Care?

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, typically come with dental coverage. These plans often include routine checkups and cleanings, fluoride treatments, periodontics, endodontics and extractions. Dental implants, which are not covered under Original Medicare, can be covered by some Medicare Advantage plans as well.

While Original Medicare is a national program provided by the federal government, Medicare Advantage plans are available regionally through private insurers. Different Medicare Advantage plans offer different levels of coverage, and your options will vary depending on where you live.

Which Medicare Advantage Plan Has the Best Dental Coverage?
United Healthcare:
Plans can cover everything from routine cleanings to extractions and X-rays. Some plans include $0 copays depending on the region.
Cigna:
Many plans offer dental coverage from cleanings to periodontics with varying copays.
Kaiser Permanente:
Many plans offer varying levels of dental coverage with different copays based on location.

On top of offering added benefits like dental, Medicare Advantage plans also include everything that is covered under Original Medicare.

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Different From Dental Insurance?

Dental insurance is another option outside of Medicare Advantage. The best option for you will depend on the availability of Medicare Advantage plans in your area. Many of the insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans can also provide stand-alone dental plans.

Tom Parkin, a Medicare expert who has more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry, talks about the things to look for when selecting dental insurance as a Medicare recipient.
Pros and Cons of Stand-Alone Dental Insurance
Pros
  • Potential for more options in your area
  • More flexibility in what you want and available prices
Cons
  • Not tied to the rest of your health care
  • Becomes more expensive if you also need Medicare Advantage separately

Since Medicare Advantage plans are regional, dental coverage is just one of the many things to consider when selecting a plan. You may have to compromise certain services to find a plan that best fits your health needs.

Stand-alone dental plans can offer more flexibility than a Medicare Advantage plan. You can pick the one that best suits you without considering other health concerns. However, this could get expensive and redundant if you plan to also find a Medicare Advantage plan on top of your stand-alone dental.

3 Minute Quiz: Can You Retire Comfortably?
Take our free quiz & match with a financial advisor in 3 easy steps.
Tailored to your goals. Near you or online.

Dental Care Resources for Seniors

Seniors have additional options for dental care outside of Medicare Advantage and stand-alone insurance plans.

Those who are eligible for Medicaid could have some dental services covered. Medicaid is a state-run assistance program that is available to low-income Americans. Medicaid coverage varies by state, so available dental coverage will differ depending on where you live.

There are plenty of other affordable options for dental care out there as well. Dental schools and teaching facilities often offer free services. Clinical trials are not always consistently available but another easy way to get free care. Your local United Way chapter may also be able to direct you to free or low-cost options.

Low-Cost Dental Options
  • Medicaid
  • Dental Schools and Teaching Facilities
  • Clinical Trials
  • Local United Way Chapter

Other local options may be available in your area. Check with your local or state health department to see what other low-cost dental care services are offered near you.

Read About Finding a Dentist That Takes Medicare

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare and Dental Coverage

Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Dental?
Medicare has never covered dental care. Some critical benefits like vision and dental are not available through Original Medicare.
How Do You Get Dental Coverage with Medicare?
You can get dental coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans are provided by private insurers and are available regionally throughout the country. They cover everything included in Original Medicare as well as additional benefits like dental. Not all plans are the same, so make sure you research what is available in your area.
How Much Is Dental Insurance for Seniors?
The cost of dental insurance can vary heavily based on where you live and the plans that are available in your area. If you can’t afford the plans around you, more affordable resources like dental schools, teaching facilities or clinical trials may be available. Learn more about local resources from your health department.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Fillings and Cavities?
Original Medicare does not cover dental fillings or cavities.

Medicare Advantage plans will cover dental fillings and cavities, but there will likely be 50% to 70% of cost sharing between you and the insurance company, or a copayment, for your procedure.

Each Medicare Advantage plan varies in cost and coverage, so it’s best to choose an in-network dentist for your dental fillings and cavities for the lowest possible cost.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Cleanings?
While Original Medicare does not cover any routine dental care, like cleanings, Medicare Advantage does.

The majority of Medicare Advantage plans will cover 100% of costs for dental cleaning, but some require an estimated copayment of $10.
Last Modified: October 13, 2023

12 Cited Research Articles

  1. Freed, M., et al. (2022, August 25). Medicare Advantage in 2022: Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Limits, Cost Sharing, Supplemental Benefits, Prior Authorization, and Star Ratings. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2022-premiums-out-of-pocket-limits-cost-sharing-supplemental-benefits-prior-authorization-and-star-ratings/
  2. Haupt, A. (2022, August 16). Does Medicare Cover Dental Costs? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/does-medicare-cover-dental/
  3. U.S. News & World Report. (2021, October 14). Best Medicare Advantage Plan Companies for 2022. Retrieved from https://health.usnews.com/medicare/best-medicare-plans/best-insurance-companies-for-medicare-advantage-plans
  4. Crouch, M. (2021, October 1). The Dental Care Payment Crunch. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/dental-care-payment-options.html
  5. Freed, M., Ochieng, N., Scroczynski, N., Damico, A., Amin, K. (2021, July 28). Medicare and Dental Coverage: A Closer Look. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-and-dental-coverage-a-closer-look/
  6. Cigna. (2021, June 30). Basic Dental Care. Retrieved from https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/hw/
  7. Freed, M., Neuman, T., Jacobson, G. (2019, March 13). Drilling Down on Dental Coverage and Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/drilling-down-on-dental-coverage-and-costs-for-medicare-beneficiaries/
  8. Cigna. (August 2019). Does Medicare Cover Dental? Retrieved from https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/does-medicare-cover-dental
  9. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2019, December 01). Medicare Dental Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/MedicareDentalCoverage
  10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017, September 18). Where can I find low-cost dental care? Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/where-can-i-find-low-cost-dental-care/index.html
  11. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Dental Services. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services
  12. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.opm.gov/faqs/QA.aspx?fid=fd635746-de0a-4dd7-997d-b5706a0fd8d2&pid=85ca5328-7cb3-47ca-b07b-55f6edaa2fcb