Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning? Just like humans, pets are vulnerable to a variety of dental issues like plaque buildup, gum disease, infections, and tooth loss.
One of the best preventive measures against these problems is regular professional teeth cleaning by a veterinarian.
However, pet owners know that these professional cleanings cost so much especially because they typically require anesthesia. This leads many pet owners to ask, “Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?”
While pet insurance can help reduce the burden of high veterinary bills, the coverage for dental care, especially cleanings, varies significantly between providers and plans.
Pet Dental Cleaning And Its Importance
Veterinary dental cleaning is more than just cosmetic procedures. It’s an important activity that can prevent serious medical conditions.
When plaque hardens into tartar and spreads below the gumline, it can lead to periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses, and even systemic issues affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Since dental disease is one of the most common and preventable conditions in pets, regular cleanings are strongly recommended by veterinarians. However, the cost, usually ranging from $300 and above can be prohibitive for some pet owners.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Routine Teeth Cleaning?
In most cases, the standard pet insurance does not cover routine or preventive teeth cleaning. These types of policies only reimburse for unexpected veterinary costs arising from illness or injury, not preventive or wellness services.
Furthermore, to get coverage for routine cleanings, pet owners often need to purchase an add-on wellness plan, which may include limited reimbursement for preventive procedures such as:
- Dental cleanings under anesthesia
- Routine exams
- Vaccinations and flea/tick prevention
These wellness plans vary in cost and reimbursement value, so it’s important to weigh the premium against how much you’ll save annually.
When Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Work?
Although routine cleanings are often excluded, pet insurance can cover dental procedures when they are deemed medically necessary due to illness, infection, or injury.
This includes treatment related to dental disease or trauma that requires veterinary intervention. Some of the covered dental procedures may include:
- Tooth extractions due to infection or trauma
- Treatment for broken teeth from accidents
- Treatment for periodontal disease if symptoms appear during the policy period
- Root canals or oral surgeries due to illness
- Antibiotics and medications prescribed for dental-related infections
However, most policies will only cover these if:
- The dental issue is not a pre-existing condition
- There is no record of neglect or lack of preventive care
- You’ve followed the provider’s dental care guidelines (e.g., annual exams)
Some insurance providers require proof of annual dental exams and cleanings to maintain eligibility for dental coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pet Insurance Cover Teeth Cleaning?
The routine or preventive dental cleanings are not usually covered under standard pet insurance plans. So, you’ll typically need to purchase a separate wellness plan to get reimbursement for these services.
Can I Get Reimbursed For Dental Cleaning Without A Wellness Plan?
This is very unlikely. Most providers treat teeth cleaning as a preventive measure and exclude it from base-level coverage unless you’ve added a wellness rider.
How Can I Lower The Cost of Dental Care If It’s Not Covered?
You can try dental discount plans, care credit financing, using wellness plan reimbursements, or booking during dental awareness months when some clinics offer promotions.