Medicare coverage

Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?

Only in certain cases. You pay all costs in most cases.

Only in certain cases: Parts A and B

Source: Medicare.gov, Dental services, checked October 23, 2026.

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Coverage at a glance

Covered?
Only in certain cases
Which part
Parts A and B
What you pay
You pay all costs in most cases.
Part B deductible 2026
$283 a year (CMS). Part B premium $202.90 a month.
Part A deductible 2026
$1,736 per benefit period (CMS)
Medicare.gov page
Dental services

Coverage details

In most cases, Medicare doesn't cover dental services like routine cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions (removals), or items like dentures and implants.

Medicare may cover:

  • Some dental services you get when you're admitted as a hospital inpatient for your dental procedure, either because of your underlying medical condition or the severity of the procedure.
  • Specific inpatient or outpatient dental services directly related to certain covered medical treatments. In these cases, you must get the dental service because it’s linked to the success of the medical treatment you need, like:
  • An oral exam and dental treatment before you get a heart valve replacement or a bone marrow, organ, or kidney transplant.
  • A procedure (like a tooth extraction) to treat a mouth infection before you get cancer treatment services like chemotherapy.
  • Treatment for a complication you experience while getting head and neck cancer treatment services.
  • Dental or oral exams before and while getting Medicare-covered dialysis services (if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)).
  • Medically necessary tests and treatments to remove an oral or dental infection before and while getting Medicare-covered dialysis services (if you have ESRD).

From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.

Costs

  • You pay all costs for non-covered services, including most dental services.
  • For Part A-covered inpatient hospital stays, what you pay for each benefit period in 2026 depends on how long you're getting care:
  • Days 1-60: After you pay the Part A deductible ($1,736), you pay $0 each day.
  • Days 61–90: You pay $434 each day.
  • Days 91-150: You pay $868 each day while using your 60 lifetime reserve days. These are additional days that Medicare will pay for when you're in a hospital for more than 90 days. You have a total of 60 reserve days that can be used once during your lifetime.
  • After Day 150: You pay all costs.
  • For Part B-covered dental services, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible. If you get the covered service in an outpatient hospital or other facility setting, you’ll also pay a copayment to the facility.

From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.

National Coverage Determinations

An NCD is the national rule CMS writes for when Medicare pays for an item or service. Local coverage determinations (LCDs) from each Medicare contractor can add detail. Read the NCD text on the CMS site.

Related pages

Questions

Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?

Only in certain cases. You pay all costs in most cases.

Which part of Medicare covers Dental Care?

Medicare.gov lists Dental services under Parts A and B.

How much do you pay for Dental Care with Medicare?

Per Medicare.gov: You pay all costs in most cases.

Is there a national coverage determination for Dental Care?

Yes. CMS NCD 260.6, Dental Examination Prior to Kidney Transplantation, version 1, effective 1979-01-01.

Does Medicare cover dental implants?

Medicare.gov answers this on its Dental services page: You pay all costs in most cases.

Does Medicare cover dentures?

Medicare.gov answers this on its Dental services page: You pay all costs in most cases.

Does a Medicare Advantage plan cover Dental Care?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover what Original Medicare covers and some offer extra benefits. Check the plan's Evidence of Coverage. Rivvi does not recommend plans.

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Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?

Only in certain cases. You pay all costs in most cases.

Checked against Medicare.gov 2026-10-23. Source: Rivvi

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