Routine dental care is not part of the coverage of Original Medicare (parts A and B). However, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer dental coverage as an additional benefit.

The nonprofit KFF notes that nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries did not have dental coverage in 2019. At the same time, 47% of Medicare beneficiaries had not been able to visit a dentist for more than a year.

While these numbers may have changed over the past few years, dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries can still be difficult to obtain. Plus, you may have to pay higher costs for care due to a lack of comprehensive coverage.

According to KFF, in 2019 94% of individuals with Medicare Advantage (Part C) had a plan that included dental coverage. The percentage of Medicare Advantage plans offering dental coverage rose to 97% by 2024.

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B) that Medicare-approved private insurance companies administer.

Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare. But they also typically offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, including dental coverage.

The dental coverage that Medicare Advantage plans offer can vary by insurance provider and area. The plans may offer:

  • routine check-ups
  • cleanings
  • restorative services

You can check with your insurance provider to see what dental coverage options they may have. You can also find plans available in your area using the Medicare online search tool.

Medicare Part A offers coverage for inpatient care and services at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospices.

Since Part A covers inpatient hospital care, it covers dental care that may be required while you are in the hospital. This may be due to an underlying health condition or the severity of the procedure.

Cost

You are responsible for 100% of any non-covered services.

For Part A inpatient services, you are responsible for paying the deductible and daily coinsurance costs. In 2025, the Part A costs are:

  • Deductible: $1,676 per benefit period
  • Days 1 to 60: $0 after meeting the deductible
  • Days 61 to 90: $419 per day
  • Days 91 to 150: $838 per day during lifetime reserve days (extra days covered by Medicare, up to 60 days)
  • After day 150: all costs

A benefit period begins the day you are admitted to the hospital and ends after you have not received any inpatient care for 60 days.

Medicare Part B offers coverage for various outpatient services, as well as preventive care, home healthcare, and durable medicare equipment.

Part B may cover certain dental services that are directly related to your medical conditions or treatments. In these cases, you must receive the dental services because they are linked to the success of the medical treatment you are receiving.

Examples include:

  • treatment for a complication while receiving other treatment for head and neck cancer
  • oral exam and dental treatment before receiving a heart valve replacement or an organ, bone marrow, or kidney transplant
  • dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction, to treat a mouth infection prior to receiving cancer treatment like chemotherapy

Cost

You are responsible for meeting the Part B deductible. In 2025, this deductible is $257.

Once you meet the deductible, you are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved costs for all covered services.

Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not generally cover dental services except in certain circumstances.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often include dental coverage as an additional benefit. You can check plans in your area to find which ones offer dental coverage.