Pet insurance typically helps cover dental injuries from accidents and treatment for dental disease, but routine cleanings and preventive dental care require a separate wellness add-on. According to the AVMA¹, periodontal disease is "the most common dental condition in dogs and cats"—making dental coverage an important consideration when choosing a plan.
What Dental Care Does Pet Insurance Help Cover?
Covered Under Accident & Illness Plans
Most pet insurance accident and illness policies can help cover:
Dental Issue | Coverage Status | Example Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
Broken teeth from accidents | Typically Covered | Hit by car, fell, chewed hard object |
Tooth root abscess | Typically Covered | Infection requiring extraction |
Periodontal disease treatment | Typically Covered | Gum disease requiring surgery |
Oral tumors | Typically Covered | Cancer diagnosis and treatment |
Stomatitis | Typically Covered | Severe mouth inflammation |
According to Spot’s 2025 claims data², pet parents submitted nearly 68,000 dental-related claims², with an average reimbursement of $653². Periodontal disease claims averaged $721², while fractured tooth claims averaged $717².
Only Covered With a Wellness Add-On
Standard accident and illness plans typically exclude:
Routine dental cleanings
Preventive dental exams
Teeth polishing
Dental X-rays for preventive screening
Pre-existing dental conditions
Read a sample policy to view all exclusions.
Why Dental Health Matters
The AVMA¹ states that "by age 3, pets typically show early signs of periodontal disease," which can worsen without preventive care. Untreated dental disease can lead to:
Pain and difficulty eating: Pets may avoid food or chew on one side
Tooth loss: Advanced disease can destroy bone and ligaments
Systemic health problems: Bacteria can spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys
Higher treatment costs: Early intervention is typically significantly cheaper than advanced disease treatment
Dental Disease Statistics
Condition | Prevalence |
|---|---|
Dogs with dental disease by age 3 | 80%+¹ |
Cats with dental disease by age 3 | 70%+¹ |
Pets needing annual dental exams | All pets |
Dental Procedure Costs
Understanding costs can help you evaluate whether dental coverage makes sense:
Procedure | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
Basic dental cleaning | |
Cleaning with extractions | |
Single tooth extraction | |
Complex extraction | |
Root canal | |
Periodontal surgery | |
Anesthesia (required for cleaning) |
According to CareCredit³, the national average cost for a dog dental cleaning is $388, ranging from $307 to $702 depending on location. Cat dental cleanings average $375, ranging from $300 to $682.
According to PetMD⁴, routine dog dental cleaning procedures typically cost $350-$500, while advanced care involving specialist dentists can cost $1,500 or more.
The AVMA¹ emphasizes that anesthesia is necessary for proper dental cleaning: "Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet" and allows cleaning below the gumline, where most disease occurs.
How Spot Pet Insurance Plans Help Cover Dental Care
Accident & Illness Coverage
Spot Pet Insurance⁵ accident and illness plans can help cover:
Dental injuries from accidents
Dental disease treatment (periodontal disease, abscesses)
Tooth extractions when medically necessary
Oral surgery
Preventive Care Add-On
Spot's optional Platinum Preventive Care plan⁵ (starting at $9.95/month⁵) can help cover routine dental cleanings as part of up to $450 in annual preventive care benefits⁵, including:^
Professional dental cleanings
Vaccinations
Flea/tick prevention
Wellness exams
Health screenings
Home Dental Care for Pets
The AVMA¹ recommends daily tooth brushing as "the most effective preventive measure" for dental disease:
Brushing tips:
Use pet-specific toothpaste (human toothpaste can be toxic to pets)
Brush at a 45-degree angle, focusing on the gumline
Aim for daily brushing; 2-3 times weekly minimum
Start slowly and reward your pet to build positive associations
Warning signs requiring veterinary attention:
Bad breath (halitosis)
Loose or broken teeth
Discolored teeth or tartar buildup
Drooling or difficulty chewing
Bleeding gums
Facial swelling
Reduced appetite
Filing Dental Claims With Spot
If your pet needs covered dental treatment:
Pay your veterinarian at the time of service
Login to the Spot member portal
Start a new claim and select your pet
Specify dental treatment received
Upload the itemized invoice
Review and submit
Spot processes claims quickly, allowing pet parents to receive reimbursement soon after submitting.
Can Dental Coverage Be Worth It?
Consider these factors when evaluating dental coverage:
Dental coverage can make sense if:
Your pet is prone to dental issues (small breeds, brachycephalic breeds)
You want coverage for both accidents and preventive care
Your pet is young and hasn't developed pre-existing dental conditions
Dental coverage may be less critical if:
You maintain excellent home dental care
Your pet has no dental risk factors
For many pet parents, having accident and illness coverage⁶ that includes dental disease treatment provides essential protection—with the option to add preventive care⁷ for routine cleanings.
Get a personalized quote to see dental coverage options for your pet.
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.
American Veterinary Medical Association. “Pet Dental Care.” AVMA. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care
Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. 2025 Claims Data. Internal analysis of 865,000 claims processed January-December 2025.
CareCredit. “Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost and Financing.” CareCredit. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/pet-care/cat-and-dog-teeth-cleaning-cost-and-financing/
PetMD. “How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?” PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-much-does-dog-teeth-cleaning-cost
Spot Pet Insurance. https://spotpet.com
Spot Pet Insurance. “Accident and Illness Pet Insurance.” Spot Pet Insurance. https://spotpet.com/blog/pet-insurance-coverage/accident-and-illness-pet-insurance
Spot Pet Insurance. “Wellness Pet Insurance.” Spot Pet Insurance. https://spotpet.com/blog/pet-insurance-coverage/wellness-pet-insurance
Canine Journal. “Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost.” Canine Journal. https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-teeth-cleaning-cost/
Betterpet. “Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost and Procedures in 2025.” Betterpet. https://www.betterpet.com/learn/dog-teeth-cleaning-cost
*Based on 2025 Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. Claims data.
^Exam fees for wellness or annual exams are not covered unless you have purchased the optional preventive care coverage.
*Reimbursement is based on the coverage and benefit limits of your plan and is subject to your deductible. Coverage is provided by United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ) and produced by PTZ Insurance Agency, LTD (NPN #5765073).
