Table of Contents
- Not all pet insurance plans cover dental care
- Some pet insurance plans only cover dental illness or injury such as periodontal disease or fractured teeth
- Periodontal disease is the most common dental illness seen in pets but it’s also the most preventable
- Many pet insurance plans have stipulations on periodontal disease coverage if you have not been keeping up on your pet’s preventative dental care
- Preventive care dental cleanings are typically not covered under standard pet insurance but can be added on with wellness plans
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Treatments?
Dental coverage varies widely across the pet insurance market. Some pet insurance plans offer dental coverage as a standard benefit, some offer it only as an add-on, and some offer no dental coverage at all.
The most popular pet insurance plans among consumers tend to offer some form of dental coverage but the list of eligible conditions and treatments vary among insurance providers.
Dental care is the #1 problem that I see tripping up pet owners when it comes to pet insurance. Many owners assume that dental health will be covered if they have a comprehensive policy, but most insurance companies will cover dental treatments such as cleanings as preventative care and therefore only cover them under wellness plans rather than an insurance policy.
What Does Pet Dental Insurance Cover?
When it comes to dental coverage for your pet, there are typically two main categories of coverage, dental illness and injury or preventative care.
Dental Illness and Injury Coverage
Dental illness and injury coverage typically covers things like dental emergencies, periodontal treatments, fractured tooth repairs, extractions, and other types of oral maxillofacial surgeries. Depending on your plan, it may be offered as a standard benefit or it may only be offered as an add-on.
Preventative Dental Care Coverage
Preventative dental coverage only covers routine dental care such as cleanings and x-rays. This type of coverage is usually offered as part of a wellness plan add-on or preventative care package bundled with other preventative care services like routine check-ups and vaccines.
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Pet Insurance Companies with Dental Coverage
Here are the top 10 pet insurance companies offering dental coverage.
| Pet Insurance | Accident and Injury Dental Coverage Option | Illness Dental Coverage Option | Preventative Care Dental Coverage Add-on Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASCPA | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Embrace | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fetch | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Healthy Paws | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Lemonade | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nationwide | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pets Best | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pumpkin | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Spot | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trupanion | ✔ | ✔ |
What Isn’t Covered by Pet Dental Insurance?
What dental conditions and treatments are covered vary from plan to plan but here are some of the most common stipulations on pet insurance dental coverage.
Preexisting Dental Conditions: Like all pet insurance, preexisting conditions are not covered. This includes preexisting dental conditions of any kind.
Dental Cleanings: Unless you have a wellness add-on or preventative care plan, most pet insurance policies do not cover routine dental cleanings.
Certain Types of Extractions: While many pet insurance plans do cover extractions, some only cover them if they are needed due to an accident such as a hit-by-car or animal fight. If you have accident-only coverage, extractions needed due to periodontal disease or tooth decay will not be covered. Some plans also have restrictions on retained deciduous teeth if the pet was enrolled before 6 months of age.
Periodontal Disease: Some pet insurance plans have stipulations on periodontal disease coverage if you have not kept up with preventative care such as routine dental cleanings. They may require proof by way of veterinary records indicating your pet has had routine dental cleanings before covering periodontal treatment.
Restorative Procedures: Some pet insurance policies will not cover restorative procedures such as crowns, root canals, and dental implants. These can be considered elective and coverage may only apply to standard extractions for these conditions.
Pet Braces: Orthodontic braces for pets are considered a rare, specialty treatment only done in certain cases and are typically not covered by pet insurance policies.
General vs Specialty Coverage: Some insurance policies have stipulations on who can treat your pet. Dental conditions are complex, some can be treated by your general practice veterinarian and others need to see a veterinary dentist. Some policies stipulate that certain conditions are only covered if treatment is indicated by a veterinary specialist.
Dental disease is a hugely common problem in both cats and dogs, and so it’s very worth a thought when it comes to your insurance policy. Routine care is always recommended, and most pets will need some form of dental treatment in their lifetime – which can be expensive. Always read the policy details carefully, as dental cover can be complicated.
Costs of Dental Care For Pets
Dental treatment costs can vary based on location and type of veterinary hospital but here are some average cost ranges for common dental care procedures for dogs and cats.
| Dental Care | Average Cost for Dogs | Average Cost for Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal Treatment | $1,500 to $2,500 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Surgical Extractions | $500 to $3,000 | $500 to $2,000 |
| Jaw Fracture Repair | $3,000 to $6,000 | $3,000 to $4,000 |
| Root Canal | $1,500 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Dental Cleaning | $300 to $700 | $300 to $500 |
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