TRICARE Dental Guide: Plans, Costs, and Eligibility 2026 | TRICARE.com

TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government agency; for official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.

## Quick answer Most TRICARE health plans do **not** include comprehensive dental coverage; instead, dental is offered through separate premium-based insurance plans. Active duty service members receive full dental care at military clinics, while their families, National Guard/Reserve members, and retirees must enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

In detail

Dental coverage under TRICARE is divided into three distinct categories based on your military status. Unlike medical care, dental usually requires a separate enrollment and a monthly premium.

### 1. Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) Active duty members have the simplest dental "plan": it is 100% covered. * **Care Location:** Usually at military dental clinics. * **Remote Care:** If you are stationed more than 50 miles from a military dental clinic, you use the **TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP)** managed by United Concordia. There are no out-of-pocket costs for authorized care.

### 2. Active Duty Families & Guard/Reserve (TDP) The **TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)** is a voluntary, premium-based plan managed by United Concordia. It is available to active duty family members and National Guard/Reserve members.

* **2026 Monthly Premiums (Estimated):** * One Person (Active Duty Family): ~$12.50 * Family (Active Duty Family): ~$32.50 * Guard/Reserve Member: ~$30.00 * **Coverage Limits:** The annual benefit maximum is typically **$1,500 per person** per program year. * **Cost Shares:** * Diagnostic/Preventive: 0% (Fully covered) * Fillings: 20% * Root Canals: 30–40% * Orthodontics: 50% (up to a lifetime maximum of $1,750)

### 3. Retirees and their Families (FEDVIP) Since 2019, retirees no longer use the TRICARE Dental Program. Instead, they access dental insurance through **FEDVIP**, the same program used by federal civilian employees. * **Selection:** Retirees can choose from multiple private carriers (e.g., Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife). * **Enrollment:** You can only enroll during the annual **Federal Benefits Open Season** (typically mid-November to mid-December) or after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). * **Costs:** Rates vary significantly by zip code and the specific plan chosen.

### Comparison Table: Dental Plan Options | Plan | Who it's For | Administrator | Key Feature | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **ADDP** | Active Duty Members | United Concordia | No cost; covers essential care | | **TDP** | AD Families, Guard/Reserve | United Concordia | Low premiums; $1,500 annual cap | | **FEDVIP** | Retirees & Families | Multiple Carriers | Wide variety of plan choices |

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty:** Automatic coverage; no premiums. Must use military clinics first. * **Active Duty Spouses/Children:** Must enroll in TDP; monthly premiums deducted from the member's pay. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Must be in the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve to enroll in TDP. * **Retirees:** Includes those in the Gray Area (retired but not yet 60); must use FEDVIP. * **Medically Retired:** Eligible for FEDVIP dental and vision.

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: The Active Duty Spouse** Sarah is married to an active duty Army Captain. She enrolls in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). Her monthly premium in 2026 is approximately $12.50. When she goes to a network dentist for her twice-yearly cleaning and X-rays, she pays **$0 out of pocket**. However, when she needs a crown, the plan pays 50%, and she pays the remaining 50% (roughly $500–$800 depending on local rates).

**Scenario 2: The Retired Veteran** Mark retired from the Air Force in 2023. To get dental coverage, he visits the BENEFEDS website during Open Season and selects a "High" PPO plan through Delta Dental. His premium for himself and his wife is approximately $90 per month. Because he chose a "High" plan, his annual maximum benefit is $3,000 per person—double what he had under TDP while on active duty.

**Scenario 3: The Guard Member on Drill Status** Elena is a member of the National Guard. She is not on active orders. She pays a monthly premium of roughly $30 for the TDP. This ensures that if she needs a filling while not on orders, she only pays 20% of the cost, keeping her "dental ready" for future deployments.

## Related terms * **Beneficiary:** Any person who is eligible for TRICARE benefits. * **TDP (TRICARE Dental Program):** The specific dental insurance for families of active duty and Guard/Reserve members. * **FEDVIP:** Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program; the dental system for retirees. * **United Concordia:** The private insurance company currently contracted to manage the TRICARE Dental Program. * **Cost Share:** The percentage of the total cost of a service that the patient is responsible for paying. * **Annual Maximum:** The total amount an insurance plan will pay for your dental care in a single year.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil - Dental Care:** https://www.tricare.mil/Dental * **United Concordia (TDP Administrator):** https://www.uccitdp.com/ * **BENEFEDS (FEDVIP Enrollment):** https://www.benefeds.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/