Original Medicare has limited dental coverage, but Medicare Advantage plans may offer more comprehensive dental care.
Private insurers provide Medicare Advantage plans, and while they must offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, they can choose to offer a wider range of benefits, including fitness, optical, meal, and dental coverage.
In 2025, more than 97% of Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage, along with hearing and optical benefits.
Specific dental benefits can vary by plan and plan provider but may include tooth cleaning and preventive care or more comprehensive coverage, such as for dental implants or dentures.
Dental plans are often subject to an annual dollar cap on how much the plan will cover.
To find a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits in your area, you can use Medicare’s plan finder tool. You can filter the results to include dental care.
You can enroll in Medicare Advantage during your 7-month initial enrollment period. This period starts 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes your birth month, and extends to 3 months after your birth month.
You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Out-of-pocket dental costs may include deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
It’s important to note that not all plans include dental coverage, and not all plans are available in all areas.
If you prefer not to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, or if no suitable plans are available in your area, you can choose a separate dental insurance plan.
Other dental care options may include:
- contacting your local health department to see whether they offer free or low cost dental services
- checking your eligibility for Medicaid benefits, which may help with dental services
- calling your local dental or dental hygiene schools to see whether they provide free or low cost dental options