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dental
How is dental care covered for active duty members?
Verified by TRICARE.com Editorial Team
Updated 2024-12-01
AI-assisted (gemini)
Quick Answer
Active duty members receive dental care at military dental clinics at no cost. Family members must enroll in TDP for dental coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Active duty: Free at military clinics
- Family members: Enroll in TDP
- Emergency care covered
- Dental readiness required
Detailed Answer
Active duty dental care differs from family member coverage.
Active Duty Members
- Dental care at military dental clinics
- No cost for all dental services
- Priority access
- Required to maintain readiness
- Emergency care anywhere covered
Active Duty Family Members
- Must enroll in TDP
- Monthly premiums apply
- Civilian dentist network
- Not covered at military dental
Military Dental Clinics
- Located on military installations
- Full range of dental services
- Priority for active duty
- May see family members space-available
Emergency Dental
- Active duty: Covered anywhere
- Family members: TDP covers emergencies
- Non-network emergency coverage exists
Dental Readiness
- Active duty must maintain readiness
- Regular check-ups required
- Issues can affect deployment
- Treated as medical readiness
Related Questions
Who is eligible for TRICARE?
Active duty members, retirees, National Guard/Reserve members, their families, survivors, and Medal of Honor recipients.
What is the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)?
TDP is a separate dental insurance program for military families managed by United Concordia. It covers preventive care, basic services, and major procedures.