How Common Is Pet Dental Disease?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age three. Despite this, dental coverage is one of the most inconsistently handled areas in pet insurance. Some providers cover dental illness broadly, others offer limited coverage, and many exclude preventive dental care entirely.
Understanding what is and is not covered before you enroll can save you from a very expensive surprise at the vet's office.
The Difference Between Dental Illness and Dental Accidents
Most pet insurance providers distinguish between two categories of dental care:
- Dental accidents — injuries to the teeth or mouth caused by trauma. For example, a broken tooth from chewing on a hard object, or a jaw injury from a fall. Dental accidents are covered by almost all accident-and-illness plans.
- Dental illness — conditions that develop over time, including periodontal disease, gingivitis, tooth resorption (common in cats), and abscesses. This is where coverage varies dramatically between providers.
Which Providers Cover Dental Illness?
| Provider | Dental Accidents | Dental Illness | Preventive Cleanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embrace | Yes | Yes (after waiting period) | Wellness add-on only |
| Fetch by Dodo | Yes | Yes | No |
| Figo | Yes | Yes (base plan) | Wellness add-on only |
| ASPCA | Yes | Yes | Wellness add-on only |
| Spot | Yes | Yes | Wellness add-on only |
| Trupanion | Yes | Yes | No |
| Healthy Paws | Yes | No | No |
| Nationwide | Yes | Selected plans only | Wellness plan included |
What Dental Illness Coverage Actually Includes
When a provider says they cover dental illness, the coverage typically applies to:
- Periodontal disease treatment (scaling, root planing, extractions)
- Tooth abscesses and infections
- Stomatitis (severe oral inflammation, especially common in cats)
- Tooth resorption in cats
- Oral tumors and cysts (may require a cancer rider)
Coverage is generally triggered after a veterinarian diagnoses and treats a dental disease — not for routine maintenance. The vet must document a medical condition, not simply recommend a cleaning.
What Is Almost Never Covered
Regardless of the provider, these dental services are typically excluded:
- Routine dental cleanings (prophylaxis): These are considered preventive care and are excluded from standard accident-and-illness plans. Some wellness riders cover one cleaning per year.
- Cosmetic dental procedures: Teeth whitening or cosmetic corrections are not covered.
- Pre-existing dental conditions: If your pet had periodontal disease before enrollment, related treatment will likely be excluded.
- Orthodontics: Not covered by any standard plan.
How Much Does Pet Dental Care Cost?
| Procedure | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Dental cleaning (no extractions) | $200–$600 |
| Dental cleaning + 1–2 extractions | $400–$900 |
| Multiple extractions (advanced disease) | $800–$2,500 |
| Full-mouth extraction (cats) | $800–$3,000 |
| Oral tumor removal | $1,500–$5,000+ |
| Dental abscess treatment | $500–$1,500 |
How to Maximize Dental Coverage
- Enroll before dental issues develop. Once your pet has documented dental disease, new policies will exclude it. Enroll while your pet's teeth are healthy to ensure future dental illness is covered.
- Add a wellness rider if cleanings matter to you. Most insurers offer wellness plans that reimburse one dental cleaning per year for $15–$30/month extra. If your vet charges $300–$600 for a cleaning, this add-on can pay for itself quickly.
- Document dental health at each wellness visit. If your vet records show healthy teeth at enrollment but disease develops later, that future treatment is clearly covered as a new illness — not a pre-existing condition.
- Compare providers specifically on dental illness. Providers like Embrace, Figo, and Fetch include dental illness in base plans. Healthy Paws does not. If dental coverage matters to you, make it a primary decision factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?
Not under standard accident-and-illness plans. Routine teeth cleaning is preventive care. Some wellness add-ons provide a fixed annual reimbursement (typically $75–$150) toward dental cleanings.
If my dog breaks a tooth, is it covered?
Yes. Broken or fractured teeth from trauma (a fall, chewing a hard object, an accident) are covered as dental accidents under virtually all accident-and-illness policies.
My cat has stomatitis — will a new policy cover it?
If stomatitis was diagnosed or showing symptoms before your policy start date, it will likely be excluded as a pre-existing condition. If your cat was diagnosed after enrollment and after the waiting period, it should be covered under dental illness provisions.
Do I need to go to a veterinary dentist for coverage?
No. Dental treatment performed by your general practice veterinarian is covered, as is treatment by a board-certified veterinary dentist. The key is that the procedure is medically necessary and documented.