TRICARE Dental Care: Coverage, Plans, and Costs Explained

*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Definition Dental care under the TRICARE umbrella refers to the diagnostic, preventive, and restorative oral health services provided through three distinct programs based on a beneficiary's military status.

## What it means in practice For most TRICARE beneficiaries, "Dental Care" is not a built-in feature of their medical health plan (like TRICARE Prime or Select). Instead, it is managed through separate insurance contracts. While the Defense Health Agency (DHA) oversees these programs, your specific coverage depends entirely on whether you are an active-duty member, a family member, or a retiree.

**Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs)** receive most of their care at military dental clinics. If a military clinic is unavailable, they are covered by the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP), currently administered by United Concordia. For ADSMs, there are typically $0 out-of-pocket costs for authorized care.

**Active Duty Family Members and Guard/Reserve members** can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). As of 2026, this is a premium-based plan also administered by United Concordia. Monthly premiums vary based on the sponsor’s status (e.g., ~$12 for a single active-duty family member vs. ~$31 for a family). The TDP covers 100% of preventive services like cleanings and exams, but requires cost-shares for other work—such as 20% for fillings and 50% for complex procedures like root canals or braces.

**Retirees and their families** do not have a specific "TRICARE" dental plan. Instead, they are eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Retirees can choose from various private carriers (such as Delta Dental, BCBS, or MetLife). In 2026, these plans feature different tiers of coverage and "High" vs. "Standard" options, allowing retirees to pick a plan that fits their specific budget and dental needs.

## Related terms * **TRICARE Dental Program (TDP):** The voluntary, premium-based dental insurance plan for active-duty family members and Reserve components. * **FEDVIP:** The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, which provides dental options for military retirees. * **Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP):** The program that ensures active-duty members receive care when military dental clinics are unavailable. * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total cost of a dental service that the beneficiary must pay after the plan's deductible is met. * **United Concordia:** The current private contractor responsible for administering the TRICARE Dental Program and ADDP.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil Dental Overview: [https://www.tricare.mil/Dental](https://www.tricare.mil/Dental) * BENEFEDS (FEDVIP Enrollment): [https://www.benefeds.com/](https://www.benefeds.com/) * United Concordia TRICARE site: [https://www.uccitdp.com/](https://www.uccitdp.com/)