Does TRICARE Cover Dental? 2026 Costs & Plans | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE provides comprehensive dental coverage to active duty service members through military clinics, but for almost everyone else—including families and retirees—dental is a **voluntary, premium-based insurance plan** separate from your health coverage. Most beneficiaries must enroll in either the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) to receive dental benefits.

Details

### Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) If you are on active duty, your dental care is fully covered and mandatory. You typically receive care at military dental clinics. If you are stationed in a remote location where a military clinic is unavailable, you are covered through the **Active Duty Dental Care (ADDC)** program, managed by United Concordia. There are no out-of-pocket costs for authorized care.

### Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs) and Guard/Reserve Family members and National Guard/Reserve members are eligible for the **TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)**. This is a voluntary plan managed by United Concordia that requires a monthly premium.

* **2026 Monthly Premiums (Estimated):** Premiums vary based on the sponsor’s status (e.g., active duty vs. reserve) and the number of people enrolled. For 2026, single coverage for an active duty family member is approximately $12–$13 territory, while family coverage is approximately $32–$35. * **Cost Shares:** For 2026, routine cleanings and exams are typically covered at 100%. Fillings usually require a 20% cost share, while complex procedures like crowns or root canals require a 50% cost share. * **Maximums:** The TDP generally has an annual benefit maximum of $1,500 per person and a lifetime orthodontic maximum of $1,750 per person.

### Retirees and Their Families Since 2019, retirees and their families are no longer eligible for the TDP. Instead, they must enroll in the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)**, managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). * **Enrollment:** You can only enroll in FEDVIP during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season (typically November to December) or after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). * **Plan Options:** Unlike the single TDP option, FEDVIP offers multiple private carriers (e.g., Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare) with varying "Standard" and "High" coverage tiers. * **2026 Rates:** Rates are based on your zip code and the specific carrier you choose.

### Specialized Health-Related Dental Care In very limited cases, TRICARE’s medical benefit (Standard/Prime) may cover dental work if it is medically necessary to treat a non-dental medical condition. Examples include: * Repairing jewelry-related trauma to the jaw. * Dental extractions required prior to radiation therapy for oral cancer. * Treatment of a fractured jaw.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** 100% covered at military clinics or via ADDC. * **Active Duty Family Members:** Eligible for the premium-based TRICARE Dental Program. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program. * **Retirees and Families:** Eligible for FEDVIP dental plans. * **Survivors:** Eligible for TDP (transitional) or FEDVIP depending on status.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Dental Overview:** 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/