Is Dental Care Typically Covered by Pet Insurance?
Some pet insurance providers offer coverage for certain types of dental care, while others may not offer any. For providers who do offer dental coverage, the type of coverage can vary depending on the specific policy. Some providers may only cover certain treatments, such as tooth extractions due to accidents, while others may have caps or limits on the amount of dental coverage available.
Pet parents should carefully review their pet insurance policy to help understand what types of dental services, if any, are covered and what limits or exclusions may apply. Additionally, some pet insurance providers may offer optional coverage for routine veterinary services, like dental cleanings, that can be added to a base policy for an additional fee.
Do Spot Pet Insurance plans cover dental care?
Spot accident & illness plans can help cover the eligible costs of covered dental illnesses and tooth extractions due to accidents. Spot also offers preventive care plan options as an add-on for an additional cost, which can help cover routine dental cleanings.
Policy Limitations
It is important to note that, like other pet insurance providers, Spot’s plans may have specific coverage limits, waiting periods, and exclusions for dental care. Pet parents should carefully review the policy details, including coverage limits and exclusions, to help ensure that the policy fits their needs and budget.
Why Does Pet Dental Care Matter?
Dental care can be an important aspect of a pet’s overall health. Like humans, pets can potentially develop dental problems such as plaque, tartar buildup, and gum disease if their teeth are not cared for properly.
Here are a few reasons why pet dental care can matter:
Helps prevent dental disease: Regular dental care, including brushing, dental cleanings, and check-ups, can help prevent dental disease in pets. Dental disease can cause pain and tooth loss and can lead to other health problems for pets.
Reduces bad breath: Poor dental hygiene can be a common cause of bad breath in pets. Regular brushing and dental cleanings can help reduce bad breath and improve overall oral hygiene.
Protects internal organs: Dental disease can lead to bacteria entering the bloodstream and affecting other organs, such as the heart and kidneys. Good dental care can help prevent these health issues from developing1.
Protects your money: Regular dental care can help prevent the need for costly dental procedures needed to treat potential dental diseases in the long run.
Read More: Does Pet Insurance Cover Teeth Extraction?
What Can Pet Owners Do to Help Ensure Their Pets Get the Dental Care They Need?
Even if a pet insurance plan covers certain eligible dental care, it can be important for pet owners to take an active role in helping their pets get the dental care they need. Here are a few steps that pet parents can take to help ensure their pets' dental health:
Regular Dental Checkups: It’s recommended that pet owners take their pets for regular dental checkups to help ensure their pets' teeth and gums are healthy. A veterinarian can check for signs of dental disease and provide treatment if necessary.
Brushing: Pet owners can brush their pets' teeth regularly to help prevent dental disease. It is important to use toothpaste that is safe for pets, as human toothpaste can be harmful to pets.
Dental Treats and Toys: Pet owners can give their pets dental treats and toys to help keep their teeth clean. These treats and toys can help remove plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth.
Diet: Pet owners can feed their pets a diet that is designed to help promote good dental health.
Read more about insurance for multiple pets here.
Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth It?
Pet dental insurance can be worth it if you consider that pet insurance is designed to help pet parents cover the costs of expensive eligible vet bills. Many expensive vet bills stem from dental complications. Some examples of expensive dental-related procedures include dental extractions and dental cleanings.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Extraction?
Yes, pet insurance can help cover eligible vet bills related to dental extraction. For dental extractions related to an unexpected incident - Spot’s accident or accident and illness plan will be able to cover some eligible vet expenses. If a dental extraction is related to routine care - it will only be able to be covered with the optional wellness add-on.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleaning can be covered under pet insurance, but only if pet parents opt to get the optional wellness add-on. With the optional wellness add-on, dog owners and cat owners will be able to be reimbursed for vet bills related to routine care like dental cleanings.
Does Pet Dental Insurance Pay the Vet Directly?
No, pet dental insurance does not pay the vet directly, instead, pet parents will need to wait to get reimbursed for eligible veterinary expenses.
How to File a Pet Dental Insurance Claim
To file a pet dental insurance claim, you are going to need to follow these steps:
Login to the member center portal
On your home page or Claims page, tap ‘Start New Claim.’
Select the pet that you are filing a claim for (Spot offers pet insurance for multiple pets)
Select the conditions and services your pet was treated for and received, the name of your veterinary clinic and fill out the relevant claim information
Upload your itemized invoice. Uploading your medical records is optional but can speed up the processing of your claim.
Review your selections and make any necessary changes.
Submit your claim. You will receive an email when your claim is received and when the claim has been processed.
Read More: Dog Surgery Costs: Everything You Need to Know
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding your pet insurance policy's dental coverage can be important to ensuring your pet can receive the care they need with less financial strain. While not all policies cover dental procedures, many providers, like Spot Pet Insurance, offer options for both accident or illness-related dental issues and routine cleanings with an optional preventive care add-on. Remember, regular dental care is not just about a bright smile; it can be a key component of your pet's overall health and well-being. By being proactive with at-home care and partnering with your veterinarian, you can help keep your pet's teeth healthy and potentially avoid more serious health problems down the road.
With 15 years as a dog and cat parent, my pet articles are a mix of humor and firsthand experience - proof that the best stories often come with paws and purrs.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
