Does Medicare cover dental? What older adults can actually use

Original Medicare covers almost no routine dental care, which surprises many people when they turn 65. This guide explains what Medicare does and does not pay for, what Medicare Advantage plans add, and the low-cost options for older adults.

The short answer. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover most dental care — check-ups, cleanings, fillings, extractions or dentures — except when it is closely tied to certain covered medical treatment. Many Medicare Advantage plans include some dental benefits, usually with an annual limit. People with Medicare and Medicaid may get dental coverage through their state, and community health centers and dental schools serve Medicare patients at reduced cost.

What Original Medicare does not cover

Original Medicare — Part A for hospital care and Part B for doctors and outpatient care — does not pay for most routine dental services: check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns or implants. Medigap supplement plans follow Medicare's coverage, so they do not add dental either.

The exceptions

Medicare pays for dental services in a limited set of situations where they are part of medical treatment it already covers. Examples include a dental exam and treatment of infection before an organ transplant or heart valve replacement, dental care needed before or during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, and treatment of the jaw after an accident. Part A can also cover a hospital stay needed for certain emergency or complicated dental procedures, even when the dental work itself is not covered.

The list has grown in recent years. If you are about to have one of these treatments, ask the medical team whether the dental work counts.

Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private insurers and many include some dental benefits. They vary widely, so check before choosing a plan:

Is it preventive only — exams and cleanings — or does it include fillings, extractions and dentures?
What is the annual maximum the plan will pay? Many are modest, and a denture or a crown can use most of it.
Which dentists are in network, and are any near you taking new patients?
Are there waiting periods for major work?

You can compare plans during the annual enrollment period at Medicare.gov, or get free one-to-one help from your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program).

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid

People who qualify for both — often called dual eligible — can get dental care through Medicaid where their state covers it for adults. That varies a great deal: see Medicaid adult dental coverage in every state. Some states also offer Medicare Savings Programs and integrated plans that include dental.

Low-cost options for older adults

Community health centers accept Medicare patients and offer a sliding fee for what Medicare does not cover, based on income. How the sliding scale works.
Dental schools treat older adults, and dentures are a common teaching case. What to expect.
Dental Lifeline Network runs Donated Dental Services, which connects people aged 65 and over, or with disabilities, with volunteer dentists.
PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) covers dental care for enrolled members in the areas where it operates.
Veterans may be eligible for VA dental care depending on service history, and can buy discounted coverage through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP).

This guide is general information, not dental, medical or insurance advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the clinic or agency concerned. See our disclaimer and how we build this directory.