Dental Insurance

Unfortunately, dental insurance for seniors is very limited under Medicare. Even though older people often have serious dental health issues, Medicare does not cover routine dental care such as teeth cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or dentures. So, unless you have some sort of senior dental insurance, you will wind up paying for 100 percent of your routine dental procedures. Medicare does cover more complex dental services such as reconstruction of the jaw after an injury, an extraction performed in preparation for radiation treatment for diseases involving the jaw, oral exams done before certain surgeries, hospital stays following dental procedures, and other surgical dental procedures.

Some dental insurance companies do provide coverage to senior citizens, but if you are over age 62, dental plans can be difficult to find. Start with an online search for insurance companies that provide dental coverage to seniors, or consult a local dentist for a recommendation for you or someone in your family.

You can also research organizations that offer dental insurance for seniors such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The AARP works to improve the lives of its members, people over the age of 50 and above, and dental insurance is one of the many benefits it provides. In partnership with Delta Dental, the AARP offers access to PPO dental plans from Delta Dental to its members. There are two plans. AARP Dental Plan A, which covers 100 percent of all diagnostic and preventative dental care, 80 percent of other procedures including cleanings, and denture repairs, and 50 percent of oral surgery such as root canals. Plan A also provides 100 percent of dental accident benefits. AARP Plan B is similar to Plan A except that it provides only 80 percent of routine care, and 50 percent of periodontal maintenance, denture repairs, fillings, and oral surgery. And Plan B doesn’t provide dental accident coverage.

Another option in addition to senior dental insurance is to select a discount dental plan. Several major insurance companies offer discount plans. Membership in one of these plans allows you to save money immediately on existing dental conditions as long as you can afford to play the total discounted fee at the time of your dentist visit. So, if you need immediate attention, such as new dentures or have cavities that need filling, you can receive a discount after your first visit.