Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover most dental services, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions or dentures. By contrast, nearly all Medicare Advantage plans cover at least some dental care — although the type and amount of coverage can vary.
We analyzed Medicare Advantage companies based on their dental coverage, quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), premiums, out-of-pocket costs, member experience and more. Because dental care needs may differ, we evaluated plans based on factors that might be important to you.
Searching for a large dental network? Consider UnitedHealthcare. Looking for the company that may be more likely to cover (at least partially) your crowns and root canals? Check the dental limits on HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) plans. Want to avoid copays at the dentist? Take a look at Humana.
Here are our top picks for the best Medicare Advantage dental insurance for seniors.
Best for size of Medicare dental network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
Best for comprehensive Medicare dental coverage: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage.
Best Medicare dental coverage with high ratings: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
Best for $0-copay dental benefits: Humana Medicare Advantage.
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
Best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.11 | 4.11/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.74 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
3.79 | 3.79/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.82 (Above average) | on NerdWallet | |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.20 | 4.20/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.89 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.76 | 3.76/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.96 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
Best for size of Medicare dental network: UnitedHealthcare
- Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
- Available with $0 premiums in 46 states.
- Customer experience might vary by location.
- Other major Medicare companies offer more $0-deductible prescription drug tiers.
Why we picked it: UnitedHealthcare offers a very large network of dental providers among Medicare Advantage companies. In previous years, UHC has advertised more than 100,000 dental providers.
In other words: It may be easier to find a dentist who takes your insurance.
UnitedHealthcare is the biggest Medicare Advantage company in the U.S., with a presence in 48 states and Washington, D.C. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP and insures Medicare products with the AARP name. About 80% of UHC members are in plans with high star ratings.
Pros
- UHC offers a large dental network alongside its large medical provider network.
- Available with $0 premiums in 46 states.
- All plans offer $0 copays for in- and out-of-network preventive dental care.
Cons
- Only 57% of UHC plans offer comprehensive dental coverage in 2026, the lowest percentage among major Medicare Advantage companies. Make sure you understand your plan's coverage.
- Underwhelming performance on member satisfaction surveys in some locations.
» MORE: Read our review of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans
Best for comprehensive Medicare dental coverage: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna)
- Nearly 8 in 10 plans have $0 premiums.
- Plans with premiums are relatively inexpensive.
- Better member experience survey ratings than major competitors.
- CMS quality ratings are below average.
- Competitors have more options for brand-name drugs with no copay/coinsurance.
- "Problems with coverage of doctors and hospitals" are common on disenrollment surveys.
Why we picked it: Almost every HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plan comes with both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage in 2026. And HealthSpring covers a wider variety of comprehensive services than other major Medicare Advantage companies, on average.
In other words: There's a good chance you can find a Medicare Advantage plan that covers extra dental services you might need — up to the plan's limit.
Cigna Medicare has become HealthSpring for 2026 after Cigna's Medicare business was acquired. Nearly 8 in 10 HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium. Many also include extras like transportation and meal delivery after a hospital stay.
Pros
- Nearly all plans have preventive and comprehensive dental coverage in 2026.
- The average dental plan includes more than nine covered comprehensive services in 2026.
- About 94% of comprehensive dental services from in-network providers come with a $0 copay in 2026.
Cons
- Quality ratings from CMS are below the industry average.
- Plans are available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
» MORE: Read our review of HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans
Preventive dental coverage may include cleanings, fluoride treatment, X-rays and exams. Comprehensive dental coverage may include diagnostic services, periodontics (gums), extractions, restorative services (fillings, bridges), endodontics (root canals) and prosthodontics (artificial teeth).
Best Medicare dental coverage with high government ratings: Aetna
- Highest quality ratings from CMS, weighted by enrollment, among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
- $0-premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
- $0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
- All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
- Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by JD Power.
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Why we picked it: In addition to providing preventive and comprehensive dental on about 84% of 2026 Medicare Advantage plans, Aetna plans have above-average CMS quality ratings and member experience scores.
In other words: Your plan with dental coverage has a high likelihood of being a good plan overall.
Aetna plans with $0 premiums are available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries. All Aetna plans include SilverSneakers fitness memberships and some coverage for vision and hearing services in addition to their dental coverage.
Pros
- Highest quality ratings from CMS, weighted by enrollment, among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
- $0-premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
- More than 8 in 10 plans have comprehensive dental benefits with about 7 covered services, on average.
- All Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include fitness benefits and some coverage for dental, vision and hearing.
Cons
- Aetna customer satisfaction numbers land below the industry average in most of the Medicare markets where it has significant market share in JD Power’s latest survey.
- Competitors offer more comprehensive dental services with $0 copays.
» MORE: Read our review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
Best for $0-copay dental benefits: Humana
- Low premiums and prescription drug costs.
- Many plans include Part B Giveback benefits.
- Available in 85% of U.S. counties.
- Customer satisfaction scores are low in most major markets surveyed.
- Government quality ratings could be better.
Why we picked it: Humana offers plans with Part B Giveback benefits in 47 states and Washington, D.C., which means those plans cover a portion of your Medicare Part B premium.
In other words: You can get dental coverage as well as some money back.
Humana is the second-biggest Medicare Advantage company and is available in 85% of U.S. counties. Humana’s government quality ratings are below average for 2026, however. It also gets below-average scores for customer satisfaction in JD Power surveys.
Pros
- $0 copays for most preventive and comprehensive dental services.
- Nearly all Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer preventive and comprehensive dental coverage in 2026.
- Low premiums and competitive prescription drug costs.
- Humana offers plans in 85% of U.S. counties, making it an option for most people.
Cons
- Humana’s comprehensive dental coverage includes fewer than six services, on average, in 2026. That's fewer than most competitors.
- Humana’s quality ratings from CMS are below the industry average.
- Customer satisfaction scores are low in JD Power surveys.
More Nerdy Perspective
What's the best dental insurance for seniors over 65?
My picks for strong Medicare Advantage companies offering noteworthy dental benefits are UnitedHealthcare, HealthSpring (formerly Cigna), Aetna and Humana. Each of these could be worth considering if they have a sufficient dental network in your area. When comparing your options, check the plan’s ratings, as well as the specific benefits it offers for dental care. Are services like root canals or dentures covered, and what would they cost? What are the annual limits on what the plan will pay for dental care? Plans can vary quite a bit, so it’s worth checking carefully to find one that meets your needs.
My picks for strong Medicare Advantage companies offering noteworthy dental benefits are UnitedHealthcare, HealthSpring (formerly Cigna), Aetna and Humana. Each of these could be worth considering if they have a sufficient dental network in your area. When comparing your options, check the plan’s ratings, as well as the specific benefits it offers for dental care. Are services like root canals or dentures covered, and what would they cost? What are the annual limits on what the plan will pay for dental care? Plans can vary quite a bit, so it’s worth checking carefully to find one that meets your needs.
Alex Rosenberglead writer covering MedicareHow much does Medicare Advantage dental insurance cost?
Dental costs on Medicare Advantage vary by plan and by service. Some require a copay or coinsurance for every service. And some services have a $0 copay if you use an in-network provider but require coinsurance or aren’t covered if you go out of network.
Services may be covered at a $0 copay, but with a dollar limit to what the plan will cover. For instance, there may be a $1,000 annual maximum benefit for preventive or comprehensive services (or both). It’s important to read a plan’s Evidence of Coverage to understand the limits on any dental coverage being offered.
What if you have Original Medicare?
You’ll need to buy a separate dental insurance policy to cover your dental needs or pay out of pocket for dental care. Many Medicare Advantage companies also sell dental policies, or you can find policies with companies like Delta Dental, Liberty, Spirit Dental or Guardian.
How to shop for Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits
Medicare Advantage plans aren’t just about dental coverage — you’ve got to get the right coverage for all of your health care. Here are some strategies for finding the best plan for you:
Check CMS ratings. CMS collects data on Medicare Advantage plans from member surveys, the plans themselves and medical providers, and then assigns a rating based on the results. The CMS star rating is on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Compare out-of-pocket costs. Each plan will have a monthly premium (for many Medicare Advantage plans, that premium is $0) and a maximum out-of-pocket cost, which is the most you’ll pay in a year for covered health care.
Keep your meds in mind. Make sure you investigate how each plan will cover your medications — or whether they’re covered at all.
Look for your doctors. If you’ve got a list of caregivers and medical facilities you use and prefer, look for plans that include them.
Consider the plan type. If you see specialists frequently and you don’t want to get a referral for every office visit, a PPO plan is probably the better fit. If you’re a light health care user and see mostly your primary care physician, an HMO might be more affordable.
Drill down on dental. If a plan says it offers dental, keep clicking until you get all the details in a plan’s Evidence of Coverage. Make sure you understand what services are included, what kind of copays and coinsurance you may have to pay and whether there’s an annual limit on what the plan will spend.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
You may be eligible for Medicare plans during a special enrollment period if you are turning 65, new to Medicare plans, moving or losing coverage.
For information on the Medicare Advantage plans near you, use Medicare’s plan finding tool to see what’s available.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and includes the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.