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A key part of making wise dental health decisions is
understanding how the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)
works and knowing how to make it work for you and
your family.
One of the best ways to manage your dental health
care while keeping your out-of-pocket costs
down is to plan ahead for preventive and restorative
care. Here are some tips for planning your dental
care.
Know What's Covered
The TDP offers all enrollees
coverage for a wide array of dental services, including,
but not limited to:
- Diagnostic and preventive services (exams,
cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and X-rays)
- Restorative services (fillings)
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Periodontics (gum and bone dental services)
- Oral surgery (extractions, biopsies and
other surgeries)
- Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges and
dentures)
- Orthodontics (braces)
The TDP does not cover every dental treatment. For
some services, e.g., cosmetic procedures, you
pay the whole cost of the treatment.
Refer to your TRICARE Dental Program Benefit Booklet for
a complete list of covered services.
Know Your Cost-Shares
Your out-of-pocket
costs vary depending on the service and your sponsor's pay
grade. Cost-shares range from zero percent to 50
percent.
For example, there is no cost-share for most
diagnostic and preventive services, but for more complex
services (e.g., implants), there is a
50-percent cost-share. The following enrollees
have a 30-percent cost-share for endodontic,
periodontal and oral surgery services performed stateside:
- National Guard and Reserve sponsors in pay grades E-1 to E-4
- Family members whose sponsor is in pay grades E-1 to E-4
All other stateside enrollees have a 40-percent cost-share
for these services.
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