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Pet Dental Insurance: Coverage and Cost
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Good dental health is a critical aspect of overall health — that’s true of humans and pets alike. But many pet parents wind up delaying or entirely skipping preventive care for their pets’ teeth because it’s expensive. And, as with people, that can lead to complications down the road.
The good news is that many pet insurance companies offer policies that include coverage that helps you pay for the medical costs of dental issues. Read on to learn more about pet dental insurance, how it works and how much it costs.
Table of contents
- How does pet dental insurance work?
- What does pet dental insurance cover?
- Which pet insurance providers cover dental?
- How much does pet dental insurance cost?
- Pet dental insurance FAQs
- Summary of our guide to pet dental insurance
How does pet dental insurance work?
Pet dental insurance is a standard feature of some pet insurance policies; unlike human health care coverage, it generally isn’t offered as a standalone policy. Comprehensive dental coverage requires purchasing a combination accident and illness plan. These policies cover both accidental injuries (like a tooth fracture) as well as dental illnesses, such as gum disease. Accident-only plans won’t cover treatment for illness.
The exact dental benefits will vary based on the specifics of your policy, including your coverage limits and deductible. Your copay, too, will depend on the specifics of your plan.
As soon as you notice a problem with your pet’s teeth, it’s best to contact your veterinarian immediately to have it examined. If the problem is covered by your insurance, you’ll likely have to pay upfront — as with other policy coverage — and your pet insurance provider will follow a specific schedule of reimbursement after you make a claim. Most companies allow pet owners to file claims online or via a mobile app.
What does pet dental insurance cover?
Pet insurance typically covers a variety of dental-related treatments. Here’s a list of the most commonly covered (and excluded) dental health problems under accident and illness plans.
Remember, though, that some policies only cover dental problems related to accidents, and coverage can vary by company. Check with your policy terms for specifics. You’ll need to purchase a plan that includes wellness or routine care in order to receive coverage for professional cleanings.
| What may be covered | What is often not covered |
| X-rays | Professional cleaning and tartar removal |
| Dental injuries related to accidents | At-home cleaning supplies |
| Gingivitis (gum disease) | Pre-existing conditions |
| Tooth extractions |
Cosmetic procedures
|
| Root canals | |
| Prescription medicines | |
| General anesthesia |
Which pet insurance providers cover dental work?
Most pet insurance providers do offer some type of dental coverage under at least some of their plans. To give you an idea of what that is, here’s a sampling of coverage by some major pet insurance companies as of November 2022.
Spot
Spot’s accident and illness pet insurance plan covers dental illness and treatment for tooth extraction caused by accidents. The accident-only plan covers the latter treatment only. Dental treatment needed for an accident or injury before your policy’s start (pre-existing condition) or during the waiting period may not be eligible for Spot dental coverage. Spot offers an add-on option for preventative care to help you pay for routine dental cleanings.
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws’ standard plan primarily covers the extraction or reconstruction of damaged teeth when the injury results from an unexpected accident or illness. However, procedures resulting from dental disease are generally not covered, including cleanings and extractions or reconstructions necessary because of dental disease.
The company also won’t cover issues related to lack of dental hygiene — you must regularly brush your dog’s teeth and routine care to be covered for dental accidents and illnesses. And, of course, in order to be covered, the injury or illness requiring care must not be a pre-existing condition.
Healthy Paws’ website notes that some of the commonly covered pet dental problems include a broken tooth, dental malocclusion, stomatitis and dentigerous cysts.
Embrace
Embrace accident and illness plans cover dental accidents up to your policy limits and illnesses up to $1,000 per policy per year for eligible treatment that isn’t a result of a pre-existing or otherwise excluded condition. Diseases and injuries such as stomatitis, periodontal disease, dental epulis and more are covered under Embrace’s accident and illness plan. You can also purchase a wellness plan through Embrace, which will reimburse you for routine cleanings.
How much does pet dental insurance cost?
Most general pet insurance policies include some dental coverage so the best way to think about the cost is that it’s rolled into your pet’s overall health policy. Pet insurance costs in the U.S. range from $218 to $594 per year for dogs on average, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). It’s slightly cheaper for cats at $134 to $342 per year.
But bear in mind that when it comes to dental coverage, often complicated exclusions apply — some of the more affordable pet insurance plans may not include coverage for dental illnesses for which your pet could be at risk.
Pet dental insurance FAQs
Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?
Most standard pet insurance plans don't cover dental cleaning. That's why pet owners need to do their best on their own to keep their pets' teeth clean. You may be able to get coverage for routine dental care (including teeth cleanings) with a wellness plan.
What are the steps to acquire pet dental insurance?
Most pet insurance companies allow pet parents to buy a policy, make monthly payments, and file claims online. First, research some of the best pet insurance companies in the U.S. Find out what your options offer for dental coverage and what you want. You can get a quote online and purchase the policy for your pet. Keep in mind that they usually have waiting periods, meaning you won't be fully covered for certain things until the waiting period has expired.
Is pet insurance worth it?
To determine if pet insurance is worth it , consider its benefits and if it would be a good investment for your circumstances. Pet insurance helps cover unexpected costs. It may be worth it in the long run if your pet needs treatment for an accident or illness, but there's no way to tell if that will happen.
When you consider that a single pet surgery can rack up several thousand dollars in vet bills or that cancer care for your pet can reach upwards of around $10,000, the annual cost of a policy is a good value. Not all pets will need such treatment, but pet insurance helps cover the unknown, should it happen.
Perhaps the most profound reason for purchasing pet insurance is that you won't have to face the decision to withhold life-saving care from your pet just because you can't afford it.
Summary of our guide to pet dental insurance
Most pet insurance policies include accident and illness protection for dental treatment. However, every pet health policy is different and, when it comes to dental coverage, some companies offer more than others. Each has its own set of inclusions and exclusions.
Unless you choose to invest a bit more and buy a wellness plan on top of a standard policy, routine dental cleanings aren’t covered. You should always keep up with at-home cleaning and routine care for your pets. Taking preventive steps is the best way to ward off serious dental health problems down the road.