Best Pet Insurance for Dental Care

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Updated: June 17, 2026

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The best pet insurance for dental care depends on your pet's profile and how you expect to use coverage, whether it's for routine wellness, dental illness management or treatment after an accident. MoneyGeek's analysis of 18 major insurers identified the three strongest options to get you started:

  1. ASPCA: Provides coverage for dental illnesses and prescribed teeth cleanings under its base plan, so pet owners managing progressive dental disease aren't paying extra for coverage their pet is most likely to need.
  2. Pets Best: Covers periodontal disease and traumatic dental fractures as standard, and pays licensed vets directly for covered claims on request, reducing your out-of-pocket cost at the time of the visit.
  3. Lemonade: Offers a dental illness add-on with a $1,000 annual limit and a dental care add-on that covers dental illness, routine cleanings and pre-existing dental conditions in select states.

Each of these providers earned its ranking by offering dental coverage terms broad enough to address both routine and unexpected care costs, paired with pricing that holds up against actual vet expenses and service that supports owners through an infrequent but recurring claims process.

ASPCA
4.61
$29
13
1
Pets Best
4.49
$32
11
2
Lemonade
4.48
$40
8
3

While the providers in our recommendations show customer experience ranks ranging from the middle to the lower end of the 18 providers we analyzed, the actual score differences are narrow. A low rank reflects relative position among a tightly clustered group of providers, not a significant gap in the quality of service pet owners are likely to experience day to day.

To find the best pet insurance companies for dental, we evaluated coverage, affordability and customer experience across 18 major pet insurers using over 67,000 pet profiles representing mixed breeds and purebreds in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Our analysis used base profiles of a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and a 7-year-old Ragdoll, each with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate to ensure consistent comparisons across providers.

We assessed coverage breadth and flexibility for dental-specific health risks, analyzed pricing competitiveness across different breeds and locations and measured customer experience throughout the policy lifecycle from enrollment to claims. Each insurer received a composite score based on coverage options and terms (50% of overall score), affordability (30% of overall score) and customer experience (20% of overall score).

For a detailed breakdown of the metrics, scoring methodology and analysis approach, see our full methodology.

ASPCA

ASPCA: Best Pet Dental Insurance Overall

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

ASPCA is our pick for the best pet insurance for dental care overall, with the strongest coverage score in our analysis and an average monthly rate of $29, which is 38% below the national average. For pet owners who want to have the broadest financial protection for dental treatments without paying an expensive premium, ASPCA's Complete Coverage plan covers dental illness and teeth cleanings prescribed to treat dental illnesses and diseases after the 14-day waiting period ends, at no extra cost. The insurer also draws a clear line between what dental costs are included in the base plan and what requires an add-on:

  • Dental illness coverage: ASPCA covers dental illnesses including periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis and tooth abscesses, along with associated diagnostics such as X-rays and scans, tooth extractions and prescription medicine under Complete Coverage.
  • Prescribed dental cleanings: Teeth cleanings recommended by a veterinarian to treat a covered dental illness or disease are covered under Complete Coverage.
  • Dental accidents: Tooth extractions resulting from dental accidents are included as standard coverage under both the Accident Only and Complete Coverage plans, so a pet that fractures a tooth from chewing or play has the procedure covered after the 14-day waiting period.
  • Prescription medications: FDA-approved prescription medications, including antibiotics prescribed to treat a covered dental infection, are reimbursable under ASPCA's accident and illness plan.
  • Routine cleanings: Routine dental cleanings not tied to a diagnosed illness are covered up to $150 annually under ASPCA's Prime tier of the Preventive Care add-on, and up to $100 annually under the Basic tier. This is an optional endorsement added to the base plan for an additional monthly cost.
  • Cured condition eligibility: Pre-existing dental conditions that are curable and have been symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days are treated as a new occurrence and become eligible for coverage.

ASPCA's claims process particularly excels in claims fairness, which matters most for dental illness claims where the distinction between a covered condition and a pre-existing exclusion has to be assessed accurately. The company performs less competitively in submission ease, so owners who are submitting claims across multiple dental visits (vet cleaning, a follow-up, a course of antibiotics) may find the process requires more patience and effort per submission.

Read our review: ASPCA Pet Insurance Review

Pets Best

Pets Best: Best for Direct Vet Pay

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Averaging $32 monthly, Pets Best ranks second overall for dental coverage and sets itself apart through its Vet Direct Pay. This feature works by having you pay your deductible, co-insurance and any non-covered line items at checkout, then submit your claim along with a signed veterinarian reimbursement release form, after which Pets Best sends the covered portion directly to your veterinarian's office. The provider also covers periodontal disease and traumatic dental fractures as standard in its base accident and illness plan, with the former becoming eligible after a 14-day illness waiting period and the latter covered from day one with no accident waiting period. Pets Best structures its dental coverage with specific conditions and boundaries:

  • Periodontal disease: Pets Best covers periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment after the 14-day waiting period at no extra cost, with coverage limited to endodontic treatment for canine and carnassial teeth and extractions.
  • Traumatic dental fractures: Endodontic treatment for canine and carnassial teeth and extractions for all teeth due to traumatic dental fractures and other oral traumas are immediately covered in the base policy, provided the fractures are not caused by repetitive inappropriate chewing behavior that presented before the policy effective date.
  • Early-enrollment dental conditions: Deciduous teeth, dentigerous cysts, enamel hypoplasia and unerupted or impacted teeth are covered for extractions if the pet enrolled before six months of age and shows no signs or symptoms of these conditions prior to enrollment or during the waiting period.
  • Routine dental cleanings: Routine cleaning costs up to $150 annually are reimbursable through Pets Best's optional BestWellness plan, which can be added at enrollment, within 30 days of enrolling or at annual renewal. 

For owners who need to dispute a claim outcome, Pets Best's appeals process is a relative strength. This matters when a pet fractures a tooth from an unexpected accident, for instance, and the claim needs to be distinguished from a repetitive chewing behavior exclusion. That said, submitting claims can be time-consuming.

Read our review: Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Lemonade

Lemonade: Best for Pre-Existing Dental Conditions

On Lemonade's site
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Lemonade rounds out our top three recommendations for dental pet insurance, providing coverage for pre-existing dental conditions through its Dental Care add-on. A dog or cat whose vet already documented gingivitis or early periodontal disease before enrollment can still access dental illness treatment, routine cleanings and diagnostics under a single endorsement with no deductible. Lemonade's base plan, meanwhile, covers tooth extraction and reconstruction of damaged teeth when injury results from an accident. Its dental coverage structure separates clearly into what each add-on includes:

  • Dental accident coverage: Lemonade's base accident and illness policy covers tooth extraction and reconstruction of damaged teeth when the injury results from an accident, with no waiting period before accident coverage takes effect.
  • Dental illness coverage: Lemonade structures its dental illness coverage across two add-ons depending on the owner's state and pet's age. The Dental Illness add-on covers treatments, procedures, diagnostics and medications related to dental illness, up to a $1,000 annual limit, with a deductible applying. The Dental Care add-on, available in select states for pets under 1 to 3 at enrollment, covers the same dental illness treatments with no deductible, and extends coverage to pre-existing dental conditions subject to waiting periods for new policies.
  • Routine dental cleaning: Outside of the Dental Care add-on, routine cleanings are covered through the Preventative+ Care package, which reimburses up to $150 for a cleaning and also covers associated costs including diagnostics, anesthesia, scaling and polishing.
  • Prescription medications: Prescription medications prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a covered condition, including antibiotics for a dental infection resulting from a covered accident, are included in the base plan.
  • Pre-existing dental conditions: Pre-existing dental conditions are covered under the Dental Care add-on, subject to waiting periods for new policies.

Lemonade's average monthly rate of $40 is the most expensive among our top picks, and dental illness coverage requires either the Dental Illness add-on or the Dental Care add-on on top of that base premium, pushing your premium even higher. Pet owners submitting dental claims across multiple visits may also find that the process requires a bit more attention than the smoothest options available.

Read our review: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review

How Dental Risk and Vet Costs Affect Your Pet Insurance Decision

Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in both dogs and cats. Studies show that 80% to 90% of dogs over the age of three have some component of periodontal disease, according to Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center. For cats, between 50% and 90% of those older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, per the Cornell Feline Health Center. 

Our vet cost data shows that treating periodontal disease costs an average of $390 to $2,600, with diagnosis ranging from $90 to $600 and surgery averaging between $300 and $2,000. High prevalence aside, these cost ranges are modest compared to most serious illness claims, and that gap determines whether getting dental pet insurance is worth it.

Is Getting Pet Insurance for Dental Worth It?

Some pets are more likely to generate a dental claim than others, and the value of coverage shifts accordingly.

checkSign icon
Dental Pet Insurance Is Worth It for:
  • Small and toy breed dogs under 20 pounds, including Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Dachshunds and Shih Tzus
  • Dogs with known chewing behaviors or a history of dental accidents, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Beagles
  • Cats older than four years, particularly Persians, Siamese and Maine Coons, which are more prone to periodontal disease and tooth resorption
  • Owners of puppies and kittens enrolling while their pet's dental record is clean, before any conditions can be documented as pre-existing
  • Owners of young to middle-aged pets in breeds with documented dental disease risk who want illness coverage in place before symptoms develop
denySign icon
Dental Pet Insurance May Not Be Ideal for:
  • Large mixed-breed dogs with no documented dental history and no known chewing behaviors
  • Owners whose primary goal is to offset the annual cleaning bill through an optional wellness
  • Fur parents committed to a consistent home care routine whose pets have no active dental disease
  • Pets enrolled late, where pre-existing condition exclusions are likely to apply to the most probable dental claims

Pet insurance for dental coverage is valuable when a pet's breed or size puts it at higher risk for periodontal disease, or when a policy's base plan covers dental accidents and illnesses without requiring an add-on. Purchasing an optional wellness plan for routine dental cleaning is harder to justify; a wellness tier that reimburses $100 to $150 annually for a cleaning can cost $168 to $384 per year in additional premium, leaving many owners spending more on the add-on than they recover from it.

Consult your primary vet before comparing plans, since individual health history, breed genetics and early diagnostic findings can place your pet's dental risk above or below what is typical for its size or breed. Local procedure costs also vary enough to change whether a dental add-on pays off, so get cost estimates from your nearest animal hospital for both routine cleanings and periodontal disease treatment before committing to a plan.

Coverage Terms to Look Out for

For pets and pet owners who benefit from dental pet insurance, the difference between a policy that pays out and one that doesn't often comes down to a handful of specific terms buried in the fine print:

  • Dental illness inclusion without a separate add-on: Some providers cover dental illness under their base accident and illness plan, while others require a separate add-on purchase. Owners who don't add the right endorsement at enrollment may find their pet's periodontal disease claim denied entirely, since dental illness is explicitly excluded from most base plans without it.
  • Pre-existing condition definition and scope: Most providers exclude any dental condition documented before enrollment or during the waiting period. A gingivitis note in a wellness exam, even if minor, can be enough to classify the condition as pre-existing. Reading how each provider defines pre-existing conditions before enrolling helps you avoid surprises when a dental illness claim is submitted.
  • Waiting periods for dental illness and accidents: Dental illness claims require the condition to develop and be diagnosed after the illness waiting period clears, which is 14 days across most providers. Accident waiting periods vary more widely, with some insurers imposing two to 14 days, while others provide coverage on the same day you enroll. For pets prone to dental injuries from chewing or play, a shorter accident waiting period means coverage is in place sooner. For dental illness, enrolling while the pet's dental record is clean gives the waiting period time to pass before symptoms are likely to appear.
  • Accident coverage for dental injuries: Tooth fractures from chewing or trauma are covered under most base accident and illness plans, but the scope varies. Some providers cover extraction only, while others extend to endodontic treatment and reconstruction. Confirming what the accident benefit pays for on a dental injury before enrolling avoids gaps when the claim arrives.
  • Prescription medication coverage for dental infections: Antibiotics and other medications prescribed to treat a covered dental infection are included under some base plans and excluded from others without an add-on. For pets prone to recurring dental infections, confirming medication coverage is part of the base policy prevents out-of-pocket costs that add up across multiple treatment courses.
  • Routine cleaning reimbursement limits vs. add-on cost: Optional wellness plans that include dental cleaning reimbursement cap payouts at $100 to $150 annually in most cases. Comparing that ceiling against the monthly add-on premium tells you quickly whether the cleaning benefit returns value or simply adds cost to a policy you're carrying for accident and illness coverage.

How to Find the Right Pet Insurance for Dental Care

Dental coverage terms and costs vary across providers, and the right plan depends on your pet's species, size, age and current dental health. Our step-by-step guide walks you through finding coverage that reflects your pet's actual risk profile without overspending on benefits that won't pay out.

  1. 1
    Determine if getting dental pet insurance is worth it

    Before comparing providers or premiums, decide whether dental coverage makes financial sense for your specific pet. Start with your pet's species and size, since small and toy breed dogs under 20 pounds develop periodontal disease at higher rates than large breeds, while cats older than four are statistically likely to have some form of dental disease. If your pet falls into either of those groups, prioritize a base plan that covers dental accidents and illnesses before considering add-ons, since the probability of a dental claim over the policy's life is higher than it would be for a large mixed-breed dog with no documented dental history. 

    Also consider your pet's age and current dental record. A puppy or kitten with no prior vet visits has the best path to full dental illness coverage, while a middle-aged pet with prior dental notes may find key conditions excluded. If your primary goal is to offset annual cleaning costs through an optional wellness plan, run the numbers first. A tier that caps teeth cleaning reimbursement at $100 to $150 per year often costs more in additional monthly premium than the annual benefit it pays back, leaving owners spending more on the add-on than they would have paid for the cleaning out of pocket.

  2. 2
    Decide on an annual limit that matches your pet's risk

    Your annual limit determines how much your policy pays out in a single policy year, and it resets at renewal. For dental illness, total treatment costs for periodontal disease can reach up to $2,600 on average, based on our vet cost data. The annual limit becomes more important when dental illness coincides with other conditions in the same policy year. A small breed dog managing periodontal disease alongside another illness could exhaust a low annual limit before all treatment costs are covered.

  3. 3
    Research pet insurance providers

    Once you know your pet's risk profile and the coverage structure you need, review how each provider handles dental coverage before requesting quotes. Most providers make sample policies available before purchase, which give you the clearest picture of exactly what is and isn't covered before committing. Confirm:

    • Whether dental illness is included in the base plan or requires a separate add-on
    • Whether prescription medications for dental infections are covered under the base plan or require an add-on purchase
    • How each provider defines pre-existing conditions
    • How long waiting periods for both dental illness and accidents last
  4. 4
    Compare multiple quotes

    Get quotes from the providers you shortlisted and use the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate across every quote to make the comparison accurate. Changing any one of those variables shifts the premium in ways that make side-by-side comparison misleading. 

    If you're evaluating optional wellness plans for routine teeth cleaning coverage, price those separately and compare the annual reimbursement cap against the additional monthly premium cost. A wellness tier that adds $14 to $32 per month to your base premium for a $150 annual cleaning benefit may not return value for pets that only need one cleaning per year.

  5. 5
    Research claim approval rates and customer experience for dental conditions

    Pet insurance reimburses you after you pay the vet bill upfront, and for a dental condition that requires multiple visits, that reimbursement process repeats each time. A diagnosis appointment, a treatment procedure and a follow-up each generate a separate claim, and how consistently and fairly a provider handles each submission directly affects how manageable your out-of-pocket costs stay between appointments. 

    To research this before committing, review independent platforms like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, where policyholders leave detailed accounts of their claims experience. Pet owner communities on Reddit are also useful, since owners discuss specific claim outcomes and how providers handled dental condition disputes in practice.

  6. 6
    Enroll early to ensure dental coverage

    Enrolling your pet while its dental record is clean is the most effective step you can take to avoid dental coverage exclusions. Any condition documented before your policy starts, including a passing mention of tartar buildup or early gum inflammation at a wellness visit, is a potential pre-existing condition that can follow your pet through every renewal. Also, waiting periods for dental illness are usually 14 days, so enrolling while the pet is young and healthy gives those periods time to clear during a window when symptoms are unlikely to develop.

Best Pet Insurance for Dental Care: FAQ

We answered a list of frequently asked questions about pet insurance for dental coverage:

What are the best pet insurance companies for dental?

Does pet insurance cover dental care?

How much do dental treatments cost for pets?

When should I enroll in pet insurance for dental?

What coverage terms should I prioritize for dental pet insurance?

Get Pet Insurance Quotes for Dental Care

Dental coverage decisions depend on your pet's age, size and dental history. A puppy or kitten with a clean record needs a plan that secures coverage before conditions develop, while a small breed dog or older cat with a documented dental history needs a provider whose terms account for what's already on the record. Use MoneyGeek's tool below to compare pet insurance quotes for dental coverage and find the plan that fits your pet's profile.

About Connor Bolton

Connor Bolton, Senior SEO and Content Manager (Business & Pet), MoneyGeek

Connor Bolton is Senior SEO and Content Manager at MoneyGeek, where he leads the business and pet insurance editorial teams. He sets the research framework, data standards and content structure for his team. All content goes through his accuracy review before publication. Connor also writes in-depth guides and has spent more than four years covering insurance products across personal, commercial and specialty lines.

The research infrastructure Connor built covers auto, home, renters, life, health, business and pet insurance across pricing analysis, carrier research, customer experience and coverage evaluation. It includes over 6 million data points for business insurance across 408 industry areas, all 50 states and 16 vehicle types. The pet insurance side covers over 5 million profiles across 18 major providers, 100+ breeds and ages up to 20 years. Connor’s insurance research and his team's work has been cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, CBS News, Forbes and LegalZoom.

Connor also talks with underwriters and carrier liaisons at Ethos, The Hartford, ERGO NEXT, Nationwide and State Farm, and monitors business and pet owner communities on Reddit. Those sources shape how his team evaluates carriers, structures rate analysis and writes for human buyers rather than search engines.

For questions about MoneyGeek's business and pet insurance content, contact him at connor@moneygeek.com or on LinkedIn.

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