Does pet insurance typically cover dental cleanings?

Many standard accident and illness pet insurance policies don't cover routine dental cleanings. However, some wellness plans or add-ons can help with the cost of preventative dental care.

What's the difference between a dental cleaning and dental illness coverage?

A dental cleaning is a preventative procedure to remove plaque and tartar. Dental illness coverage helps with the cost of treating dental diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth extractions, usually stemming from accidents or illnesses.

How much does a professional dental cleaning for pets usually cost?

The cost of a professional dental cleaning for pets can range from $300 to $800, depending on the size of your pet, the severity of the dental disease, and geographic location. This price often includes anesthesia, dental X-rays, and the cleaning itself.

Pet Insurance That Covers Dental Cleaning: Keeping Your Pet's Pearly Whites Healthy

2026 Market Update: This article has been reviewed to reflect the latest veterinary costs and insurance market conditions for 2026.

Maintaining your pet’s oral hygiene is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Just like humans, pets can suffer from dental diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, which can lead to pain, tooth loss, and even systemic health problems. Regular dental cleanings performed by a veterinarian are essential for preventing these issues. But these cleanings can be expensive. This is where pet insurance that covers dental cleaning comes in. Let’s explore what you need to know.

Why Dental Cleaning is Important for Pets

Dental health is often overlooked, but it’s a critical aspect of pet care. Neglecting your pet’s teeth can lead to:

Pain and Discomfort: Dental disease can cause significant pain, making it difficult for your pet to eat and enjoy life.
Tooth Loss: Untreated dental issues can result in tooth loss, affecting your pet’s ability to chew properly.
Systemic Health Problems: Bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Bad Breath: Halitosis is a common sign of dental problems and can be unpleasant for both you and your pet.

Understanding Pet Insurance Coverage for Dental Care

Many standard pet insurance policies focus primarily on accidents and illnesses. This often leaves routine or preventative care, including dental cleanings, outside the scope of coverage. However, some companies offer wellness plans or add-ons that can help cover the cost of these preventative services.

Accident and Illness vs. Wellness Plans

Accident and Illness Plans: These plans typically cover unexpected veterinary costs due to accidents (e.g., broken bones, cuts) and illnesses (e.g., infections, cancer). While they might cover dental issues resulting from an accident (like a broken tooth), they generally do not cover routine dental cleanings. Some accident and illness plans will cover the treatment of dental diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, but only if they are not pre-existing conditions and often after a waiting period.
Wellness Plans: These plans are designed to cover routine and preventative care, such as vaccinations, annual check-ups, and, in some cases, dental cleanings. Wellness plans are often offered as add-ons to accident and illness plans or as standalone products.

What to Look for in a Pet Insurance Plan with Dental Cleaning Coverage

When searching for pet insurance that covers dental cleaning, consider these factors:

Coverage Details: Carefully review the policy documents to understand exactly what dental services are covered. Some plans may only cover a portion of the cleaning cost or have annual limits.
Waiting Periods: Be aware of any waiting periods before coverage begins. Some plans may have a waiting period specifically for dental cleanings.
Age Restrictions: Some policies may have age restrictions, particularly for older pets.
Pre-existing Conditions: Dental issues diagnosed before enrolling in a pet insurance plan are typically considered pre-existing conditions and are not covered.
Annual Limits and Deductibles: Understand the annual coverage limits and deductible amounts, as these will affect your out-of-pocket expenses.
Cost: Compare the premiums of different plans to find one that fits your budget.
Specific Exclusions: Look for any specific exclusions related to dental care, such as cosmetic procedures or orthodontic work.

Pet Insurance Companies Offering Dental Cleaning Coverage

Here are some pet insurance companies that offer options for covering dental cleanings, either through wellness plans or as part of their accident and illness coverage (for dental illnesses):

Lemonade: Lemonade offers a preventative care package that can be added to their standard accident and illness policy. This package often covers a portion of the cost of dental cleanings. Their accident and illness policy will cover dental illnesses.
Embrace: Embrace offers a Wellness Rewards plan that can be used towards routine dental care, including cleanings. It’s important to note that this is a reimbursement program, not traditional insurance. Their accident and illness policy will cover dental illnesses.
Trupanion: Trupanion’s standard policy typically does not cover routine dental cleanings. However, they focus on covering dental illnesses and injuries. They emphasize comprehensive coverage for unexpected veterinary expenses, including those related to dental issues.
Nationwide: Nationwide offers several pet insurance plans, some of which include wellness coverage that can be used for dental cleanings. Be sure to check the specific details of each plan, as coverage varies. Their accident and illness policy will cover dental illnesses.
Pets Best: Pets Best offers add-on wellness plans that can help cover the cost of routine dental cleanings. Their accident and illness policies also cover dental illnesses.

Important Note: Always verify the specific terms and conditions of each policy directly with the insurance provider to confirm coverage details. Coverage can change, so be sure to get the most up-to-date information.

The Cost of Dental Cleaning and Insurance Premiums

The cost of a professional dental cleaning for pets typically ranges from $300 to $800, depending on factors such as the size of your pet, the severity of dental disease, and geographic location. This price usually includes anesthesia, dental X-rays, and the cleaning itself.

The cost of pet insurance premiums varies depending on several factors, including your pet’s breed, age, location, and the level of coverage you choose. A comprehensive accident and illness policy can range from $30 to $70 per month for dogs and $15 to $40 per month for cats. Adding a wellness plan to cover dental cleanings will increase the monthly premium. Expect to pay an additional $10 to $30 per month for a wellness plan that includes dental cleaning coverage.

Example Scenario:

Let’s say you have a dog and choose a pet insurance plan with a wellness add-on. The accident and illness policy costs $50 per month, and the wellness add-on costs $20 per month, totaling $70 per month. The wellness plan covers $150 towards a dental cleaning that costs $450. In this scenario, you would pay $450 upfront to the vet, be reimbursed $150, and would be out-of-pocket for $300 (plus the monthly premium). Over the course of a year, you’d pay $840 in premiums ($70 x 12).

Alternatives to Pet Insurance for Dental Care

If pet insurance isn’t the right fit for you, consider these alternatives:

Pet Dental Savings Plans: Some veterinary clinics offer in-house dental savings plans that provide discounts on dental cleanings and other dental services.
Payment Plans: Some veterinary clinics offer payment plans to help you spread out the cost of dental care over time.
CareCredit: CareCredit is a credit card specifically for healthcare expenses, including veterinary care. It allows you to finance dental cleanings and other treatments with low or no interest for a certain period.
Budgeting and Saving: Create a dedicated savings account for your pet’s healthcare expenses, including dental care.

Recommendation

Investing in pet insurance that covers dental cleaning can be a worthwhile decision for many pet owners. While standard accident and illness policies may not cover routine cleanings, wellness plans or add-ons can help offset the cost of preventative dental care. Companies like Lemonade, Embrace, Nationwide, and Pets Best offer options for covering dental cleanings, so it’s worth exploring their plans to find one that meets your needs and budget. However, Trupanion’s focus on dental illness coverage is also a compelling offering if you are more concerned about unexpected dental problems.

Ultimately, the best approach is to weigh the cost of insurance premiums against the potential cost of dental cleanings and consider your pet’s individual needs and risk factors. Regular at-home dental care, such as brushing your pet’s teeth and providing dental chews, can also help maintain their oral health and reduce the need for frequent professional cleanings.