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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
- The insurance advice, products, and links below are intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is licensed as an insurance producer.Insurance advice, products, and links contained in this article are currently intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is currently licensed as an insurance producer. As we expand our licensing to other states we will update our websites and links. If you are located in a state in which we are not currently licensed, but would like to learn more about pet insurance products available in your state, you may contact a licensed insurance agent or broker in your state. The information provided below is offered for educational and informational purposes only. If you have questions regarding particular plans, you should reach out to your insurance company for more information.
Taking care of your pet’s oral health is an essential part of their overall well-being. Poor dental care can lead to a slew of dangerous health issues for your pet along with severe pain, so treating your pet’s oral issues—along with providing them with preventative care—is necessary to keep them healthy and happy.
Treating dental conditions can be costly, so you may find that it’s worth it to look into pet insurance to provide a little peace of mind. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of dental coverage, including how it works and how you can decide which pet insurance provider may be the right one for you and your pet.
How Does Pet Dental Insurance Work?
Dental coverage for pets is typically included in a standard accident and illness pet insurance policy—it’s not usually offered as a stand-alone option or an add-on (except for routine cleanings, which may be part of a preventative care add-on).
The degree of dental coverage you can expect to receive with your accident and illness plan varies from provider to provider. Some carriers, like Fetch, offer broad coverage that includes periodontal disease, oral trauma and tumors, and injury/illness in every tooth, while others exclude conditions—such as periodontal disease—that come from a lack of preventive care.
With most pet insurance plans, you’ll have to front the costs at the vet yourself and then submit the invoice and medical records to your insurance provider for approval and reimbursement. Although a few pet insurance companies do offer direct vet pay, most do not operate this way.
Are there any waiting periods?
Because dental insurance is part of a standard accident and illness plan, it does not have its own separate waiting period—dental injuries like chipped teeth, for example, typically fall under your accident waiting period, while illnesses like periodontal disease are usually subject to your policy’s illness waiting period. Waiting periods for accidents and illnesses typically fall between 2 to 30 days.
What Does Pet Dental Insurance Cover?
The dental coverage you’ll receive depends on the provider you choose. However, if you choose a standard accident and illness plan, you can often expect that a policy will typically cover items such as:
- Crowns
- Gingivitis
- Root canals
- Gum disease
- Teeth removal
- Damaged teeth
If you opted for an accident-only policy, you would only have coverage for dental accidents, eg. incidents that include oral trauma, such as tooth fractures from chewing on inappropriate objects or aggressive play.
What Isn’t Usually Covered Under Pet Dental Coverage?
Although dental insurance coverage varies depending on the pet insurance provider, there are common exclusions that are pretty universal to most providers. These items include things like:
- Cosmetic and orthodontic procedures, including implants, fillings, and caps
- Pre-existing conditions that started before coverage began
- Routine dental care, including teeth cleanings
Pet parents may want to note that while routine dental care isn’t usually covered under a standard accident and illness plan, there may be some routine dental cleaning coverage if you opt for a wellness plan add-on. These riders typically include some preventive coverage for things you can plan for as a pet parent, including routine teeth cleanings, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and more.
How To Choose the Right Dental Insurance
There are different factors that you’ll want to take into consideration when choosing pet insurance with dental coverage.
Examine the exclusions closely
Some pet insurance providers only offer coverage for animals of a certain age and may exclude very young pets or senior animals.
Additionally, pets over the age of 3 (which is when dental disease often first appears) may have to undergo an oral exam to identify existing dental problems before they can be enrolled. If any are found, they’ll be considered a pre-existing condition and won’t be eligible for reimbursement under most policies. This is why enrolling in a health insurance policy when your pet is young may be best when trying to avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.
Keep in mind: routine dental cleanings require an add-on plan
Annual teeth cleanings are usually recommended by vets and are also a requirement from some insurance providers in order to receive dental coverage. These cleanings can be expensive, costing hundreds of dollars, and are usually only covered by insurance if you add a wellness rider to your policy. Even then, you’ll only be reimbursed up to a certain amount.
An exception to this may be if a teeth cleaning is prescribed by your vet as part of a treatment, such as for gum disease. In this case, it could fall under standard coverage for an accident and illness and may be eligible for reimbursement under that part of your policy.
Consider the level of dental coverage right for you
Most pet insurance providers have some level of dental coverage—the level of care and cost depends on the provider and where a pet parent is located. If you’re looking for a pet insurance plan that includes coverage for dental accidents and illnesses, you may consider one of the following:
Here’s a high-level overview of a few popular pet insurance providers and their level of dental coverage:
Pet Insurance Provider | Dental Coverage |
Prudent Pet Insurance | A standard policy covers:
Note: Pet parents must have teeth regularly examined and cleaned, otherwise dental coverage may be denied. |
Lemonade | Dental treatments for accidents and illnesses only available via a separate rider and covers treatments like:
Note: Routine teeth cleaning coverage is available via a separate wellness add-on. |
Spot Pet Insurance | A standard policy covers:
Does not cover:
|
Fetch | A standard policy covers:
Does not cover:
|
Pets Best | A standard policy covers:
Does not cover:
|
As mentioned in the chart above, some pet insurance providers will only offer dental coverage if a pet parent is on top of their pet’s preventive dental care (such as routine cleanings), so be sure to read the fine print of a sample policy or terms and conditions before you commit to a plan.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Has the Best Dental Coverage?
We think Fetch has some of the best dental coverage for pets out there; while some pet insurance plans only offer coverage for damage to regular or canine teeth, Fetch covers treatment for accident and illness in every adult tooth.
Comprehensive coverage like Fetch’s may be extremely important to many pet parents, especially considering that oral health problems can lead to more serious conditions, such as heart disease, kidney and liver problems.
Why Is Dental Care Important for Dogs and Cats?
Dental health care is not an area that pet parents should scrimp on in an effort to save money—it’s incredibly important to your pet’s health. Let’s dive into a few reasons it’s necessary to take care of your pet’s dental health, and what could happen if you don’t make it a priority.
Dental disease can cause chronic pain in pets
Routine dental care—such as periodic dental cleanings—that starts early in your pet’s life can help prevent dental disease (otherwise known as periodontal disease), a painful illness that comes on when bacteria builds up on the teeth and gets stuck under the gum line. However, by 3 years old, most dogs and cats have some level of dental disease. If left undiscovered and untreated, it can lead to severe chronic pain caused by infection and inflammation, which is why both early detection and prevention are essential to your pet’s overall quality of life.
Bacteria from poor oral health can lead to organ damage
The dental plaque that forms on teeth that aren’t well-cared for contains bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and travel to your heart, liver, and kidneys. The spread of this bacteria can severely damage your pet’s organs and make them very sick.
Good dental care can prevent tooth loss
Just as with humans, when the roots and structures of your pet’s teeth become infected, the teeth can loosen and ultimately fall out. Routine oral health care for your pets will help the roots of their teeth remain healthy and prevent tooth loss.
Other potential side effects of dental disease
There are a few other symptoms of dental disease that may greatly impact your pet’s quality of life that you should be on the lookout for. They include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Facial swelling
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Exhaustion or depression
- Poor grooming
- Difficulty eating and chewing food
- Discharge from the nose or eyes
Do I really need dental coverage for my pet?
Looking at dental coverage for your pet is a smart move, particularly since it’s common for pets to develop dental disease, which is chronic, painful, and expensive. Adding to that is the possibility of untreated dental disease leading to serious and potentially fatal health conditions.
How Can Pet Parents Take Care of Their Pets’ Teeth?
There are a few preventive measures pet parents can take in order to reduce the risk of dental problems in their pets. Taking these steps may also help reduce future out-of-pocket costs that may come with treating dental issues and illnesses.
- Brushing: Brushing your pets’ teeth regularly can help prevent disease. Be sure to use a toothpaste that’s meant for pets, as human toothpaste could harm them.
- Routine checkups: Vets can perform regular dental checks to help ensure your pets’ teeth and gums are healthy, as well as check for dental disease.
- Dental treats: Certain dental treats and toys can help remove plaque and tartar buildup on your pets’ teeth.
- Diet: Some pet foods are created to promote dental health or help clean teeth, so feeding your pets these foods can help stave off issues later.
Disclaimers
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581. A Delaware insurance company located in Scottsdale, AZ), and produced by PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd. (NPN: 5328528). The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.
Further Reading
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? How To Know If It’s a Good Deal for Your Pet
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover, and How Does It Work? A Beginner’s Guide
- How Does a Pre-Existing Condition Affect Pet Insurance Coverage?
- The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans: How Preventive Care Add-Ons Work
- How To Choose the Right Insurance for Your Pet
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
- What To Know About Waiting Periods and Pet Insurance
- What Are Pet Insurance Deductibles, and How Do You Pick One?
- When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
- Savings Account Versus Pet Insurance: Which Is Better?