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Dental Plans for Seniors
To keep your teeth healthy as long as possible, it’s important to have regular preventive dental exams and dental insurance coverage.
What is the right dental insurance for seniors? What level of coverage should you look for when shopping for a dental plan?
Why is dental insurance for seniors important?
Good dental and oral health can affect the rest of your health. Your dentist may be able to find signs of more serious health issues when you get regular dental care.
As you get older, certain health and lifestyle factors start adding up. Many of these can have a direct effect on your oral health.
- Chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease often require prescription medications. These types of health challenges can either affect or be affected by your oral health.
- Certain kinds of prescription medications and over-the-counter medications and supplements can have side effects that affect your oral health. Some medications can give you dry mouth, which can lead to plaque and tartar build-up, along with gum disease.
- Alcohol use can limit saliva production, leading to dry mouth and gum disease. Dry mouth can cause plaque build-up.1, 2
- Tobacco use can have negative effects on your physical as well as oral health. Tobacco and vaping products can lead to issues like tartar build-up, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.3 Learn more about the impact of smoking on your teeth and gums.
- Sugary foods and beverages can hurt your teeth. They can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, plaque, and tartar build-up, and contribute to other health risks.
Is dental insurance worth it for seniors?
Dental issues can impact your overall health and become even more important as you age. Dental coverage can help lower the costs of regular dental exams and any other dental treatments you may need.
What kinds of dental plans are available for seniors?
Older adults have options beyond Medicare when it comes to dental insurance.
Dental insurance for seniors on Medicare
If you’re eligible for Medicare or already have a Medicare plan you may or may not have dental coverage.
The following table shows the types of Medicare and dental coverage options.
| Type of Medicare plan | Includes dental coverage? | Your dental coverage options |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | No | Standalone dental plan Dental savings plan |
| Medicare Advantage | Sometimes. This often includes preventive dental care. But there are plans with comprehensive dental coverage, too. | Buy additional coverage if needed—either a standalone dental plan or a dental savings plan |
| Medicare Supplement | No | Standalone dental plan Dental savings plan |
Medicare Advantage plans are the only type of Medicare plan that may come with dental coverage. Be sure to look at the plan details closely before enrolling.
Standalone dental plans
If you’re not getting dental coverage with Medicare, or you’re only getting basic coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan, think about buying a separate standalone dental plan from a private insurer like Cigna Healthcare.
You can find dental insurance for seniors like you that covers preventive care with a variety of plan options and affordable monthly premiums. Plans can also cover more expensive services such as bridges, root canals, and crowns.
Dental savings plans
Dental savings plans or discount dental plans allow you to get dental coverage with no waiting period. There are also other benefits included.
How do they work?
- These plans are not dental insurance. They are membership programs with an annual fee.
- You can choose from different types of dental plans with different levels of coverage.
- You can buy dental savings plans along with a traditional health care plan or Medicare plan. This can help if you need dental care quickly, a plan with no waiting period, or coverage for certain kinds of dental care your health plan doesn’t give you.
Need dental coverage?
How much dental coverage do seniors need?
You may have gotten away with routine dental exams and cleanings in your younger years. But older adults’ teeth may require more complex treatment.
A dental plan that only covers you for preventive care will not help you pay for more expensive dental procedures and treatments if you need them. As we age our teeth age, too. Health issues, nutrition, prescription medication usage, and even your mental and emotional health, can impact your oral health.
Expect to need any of the following dental procedures? Find out what levels of dental coverage you may need. In the dental plan documents, they may be called “classes” of coverage.
Extractions and Fillings
Fillings and teeth extractions may be covered as basic restorative care. Look for a percentage of coverage for procedures in this class of care. Once you meet your dental deductible, that percentage shows how much of the cost your plan will pay for these procedures.
Root Canals, Periodontal Procedures, Denture/Bridge Repair
Look for these specific procedures in the plan documents. They may be included under basic or major restorative care. That means you could have some percentage of costs covered once you meet your deductible.
Dentures
Dentures are often classified as major restorative care. Shop for a dental plan that offers a percentage of coverage. Once you meet your deductible, the percentage is the amount your plan will pay for dentures.
Dental Implants
In some plans, dental implants may be in their own class. If you expect to need dental implants, shop for a dental plan that specifically includes coverage for dental implants.
Three things to consider when shopping for a dental plan for seniors
Plan for dental care
As you age, your oral health may require more than just basic preventive care. Will you need a root canal, bridge, or implants? Do you need dentures?
Shop for dental plans that help cover these types of major restorative care, so you don’t have to pay the whole cost on your own. Standalone dental plans from a private insurer or a dental discount plan can cover more than just preventive care
Look for major restorative coverage
If you choose to shop for a standalone dental plan, look for coverage that includes “major restorative” benefits. This type of benefit usually covers more expensive treatments like dental implants, root canals, bridges, and crowns. These types of procedures can be expensive when you must pay out-of-pocket. Check the plan details before you buy.
Check if there’s a waiting period
Some traditional dental plans require a “waiting period” for certain types of dental care. If you need urgent dental care that's more complex than a routine check-up, then a dental plan with a waiting period may not be right for you.
Good dental care is extremely important, especially as we age.
As you age, your chances of having dental issues increase. Good dental care and habits can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular cleanings can help your dentist find other health issues as they come up. The right dental insurance for seniors can get you proper dental care and help pay for it.
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1 Dry Mouth after Drinking Alcohol, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dry-mouth/dry-mouth-after-drinking-alcohol‡, accessed July 12, 2021
2 The Surprising Truth About Alcohol and Oral Health, https://penndentalmedicine.org/alcohol-and-oral-health/‡, accessed July 12, 2021
3 Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html‡
‡ Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna Healthcare Medicare plans.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your dentist for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations.
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Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna Healthcare names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by The Cigna Group Intellectual Property, Inc. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal.
To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (
Medicare Supplement Policy Disclaimers
Medicare Supplement website content not approved for use in: Oregon.
AN OUTLINE OF COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. We'll provide an outline of coverage to all persons at the time the application is presented.
Our company and agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance. An insurance agent may contact you. Premium and benefits vary by plan selected. Plan availability varies by state. Medicare Supplement policies are underwritten by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Insurance Company, Cigna National Health Insurance Company or Loyal American Life Insurance Company. Each insurer has sole responsibility for its own products.
The following Medicare Supplement Plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare due to disability: Plan A in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia; Plans A, F, and G in North Carolina; and Plans C and D in New Jersey for individuals aged 50-64. Medicare Supplement policies contain exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact the company.
This website is designed as a marketing aid and is not to be construed as a contract for insurance. It provides a brief description of the important features of the policy. Please refer to the policy for the full terms and conditions of coverage.
In Kentucky, Plans A, F, G, HDG, N are available under Cigna National Health Insurance Company, Plans A, F, G, HDF, N are available under Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, N are available under Loyal American Life Insurance Company.
Kansas Disclosures, Exclusions and Limitations
Medicare Supplement Policy Forms: Plan A: CIC-MS-AA-A-KS, CIC-MS-AO-A-KS; Plan F: CIC-MS-AA-F-KS, CIC-MS-AO-F-KS; Plan G: CIC-MS-AA-G-KS, CIC-MS-AO-G-KS; Plan HDG: CIC-MS-AA-HDG-KS, CIC-MS-AO-HDG-KS; Plan N: CIC-MS-AA-N-KS, CIC-MS-AO-N-KS
Exclusions and Limitations:
The benefits of this policy will not duplicate any benefits paid by Medicare. The combined benefits of this policy and the benefits paid by Medicare may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the Medicare Eligible Expenses incurred. This policy will not pay benefits for the following:
(1) the Medicare Part B Deductible;
(2) any expense which You are not legally obligated to pay; or services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance;
(3) any services that are not medically necessary as determined by Medicare;
(4) any portion of any expense for which payment is made by Medicare or other government programs (except Medicaid); or for which payment would have been made by Medicare if You were enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare;
(5) any type of expense not a Medicare Eligible Expense except as provided previously in this policy;
(6) any deductible, Coinsurance or Co-payment not covered by Medicare, unless such coverage is listed as a benefit in this policy; or
(7) Preexisting Conditions: We will not pay for any expenses incurred for care or treatment of a Preexisting Condition for the first six (6) months from the effective date of coverage. This exclusion does not apply if You applied for and were issued this policy under guaranteed issue status; if on the date of application for this policy You had at least six (6) months of prior Creditable Coverage; or, if this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy and a six (6) month waiting period has already been satisfied. Evidence of prior coverage or replacement must have been disclosed on the application for this policy. If You had less than six (6) months prior Creditable Coverage, the Preexisting Conditions limitation will be reduced by the aggregate amount of Creditable Coverage. If this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy, credit will be given for any portion of the waiting period that has been satisfied.