Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental? (What Is and Is Not Included)

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental? The Quick Answer

Most Australian pet insurance policies cover dental illness, which includes conditions like fractured teeth, gum disease, and tooth root abscesses. However, routine dental care such as teeth cleaning, scaling, and polishing is almost never covered under standard plans.

The distinction between dental illness and routine dental care is where most pet owners get caught out. This guide breaks down exactly what dental work is and is not covered, which providers offer the best dental benefits, and what dental treatments typically cost at Australian vet clinics.

What Dental Work IS Typically Covered

Under most comprehensive and accident + illness plans, the following dental treatments are covered as they fall under illness or accident categories:

• Tooth extractions due to disease: Removing teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease, infection, or decay
• Fractured teeth from accidents: Emergency treatment for broken or cracked teeth resulting from trauma
• Gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis): Treatment for diagnosed gum infections and inflammation
• Tooth root abscesses: Surgical treatment and antibiotics for infected tooth roots
• Oral tumours: Diagnosis, surgery, and treatment of cancerous or benign growths in the mouth
• Stomatitis: Treatment for severe inflammation of the mouth lining, particularly common in cats

These conditions are treated as illnesses or accident injuries, so they are covered under the illness or accident components of your policy, subject to standard waiting periods, excesses, and benefit percentages.

What Dental Work Is NOT Covered

The following dental treatments are typically excluded from standard pet insurance policies:

• Routine dental cleaning and scaling: Professional teeth cleaning performed as preventive care
• Polishing: Cosmetic polishing of teeth during a dental check-up
• Orthodontic work: Correction of misaligned teeth or jaw issues
• Dental caused by lack of care: Some insurers may reject claims if dental disease is deemed to result from inadequate dental hygiene
• Pre-existing dental conditions: Any dental issues noted on your pet’s vet records before the policy started

Which Providers Offer the Best Dental Cover?

Not all Australian pet insurance policies include dental cover. Here is how the major providers handle dental:

• Bow Wow Meow: Comprehensive plans cover dental illness including extractions and gum disease treatment. No routine dental.
• RSPCA Pet Insurance: Dental illness covered on comprehensive plans. Some plans include a dental illness sub-limit.
• Fetch: Covers dental illness on comprehensive and accident + illness plans. Known for broader dental illness definitions.
• Knose: Dental illness covered on higher-tier plans. Routine care add-on may contribute towards one dental check per year.
• PetSure: As an underwriter for multiple brands, dental illness coverage varies by the specific product. Check the PDS carefully.
• Buddy Pet Insurance: Dental illness covered on accident + illness and comprehensive plans. No routine dental.

Typical Dental Costs at Australian Vets

Dental work can be surprisingly expensive for pets. Here are typical costs at Australian veterinary clinics:

• Dental check-up and clean (scale and polish): $300 – $800
• Simple tooth extraction (1-2 teeth): $500 – $1,500
• Complex tooth extraction (multiple teeth, surgical): $1,000 – $3,000
• Gum disease treatment: $500 – $2,000
• Tooth root abscess treatment: $800 – $2,500
• Oral tumour removal: $1,500 – $5,000
• Full dental work under anaesthesia: $500 – $2,000 (anaesthesia alone adds $200 – $500)

These costs make dental illness coverage a genuinely valuable component of a comprehensive pet insurance policy. A single surgical extraction can exceed $1,000, making the annual premium worthwhile.

How to Maintain Your Pet’s Dental Health

Good dental hygiene can reduce the likelihood of expensive dental claims and keep your pet healthy. Recommended practices include:

1. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly: Daily brushing with pet-specific toothpaste is ideal. Even 2-3 times per week makes a significant difference.
2. Provide dental chews and toys: Products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
3. Use dental diets: Some prescription and premium pet food brands are formulated to promote dental health through kibble texture and composition.
4. Schedule annual dental check-ups: Your vet can identify early signs of dental disease before they become costly problems.
5. Watch for warning signs: Bad breath, difficulty eating, red or swollen gums, drooling, and pawing at the mouth are signs of dental problems that need veterinary attention.

The Link Between Dental Health and Overall Health

Dental disease in pets is not just a mouth problem. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys, and liver. Studies show that pets with advanced dental disease are more likely to develop systemic health issues, which can lead to further veterinary costs.

By maintaining your pet’s dental health, you may reduce the risk of more serious and expensive conditions down the track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?

No, routine teeth cleaning (scale and polish) is not covered by standard pet insurance policies. It is classified as preventive care. Some providers offer a routine care add-on that may contribute a small amount towards one dental clean per year, but it rarely covers the full cost.

Is dental covered under accident-only pet insurance?

Only if the dental damage results from an accident. For example, if your dog breaks a tooth from being hit by a car, the emergency treatment would be covered under accident-only insurance. Dental illness such as gum disease or tooth decay is not covered on accident-only plans.

What if my pet already has dental issues before I get insurance?

Any dental conditions noted on your pet’s veterinary records before the policy start date will be classified as pre-existing and will not be covered. This is why getting insurance while your pet is young and has a clean dental history is beneficial.

How long is the waiting period for dental claims?

Dental illness claims are subject to the standard illness waiting period, which is typically 30 days. If a dental condition develops or shows symptoms during this waiting period, it will not be covered. Dental damage from an accident follows the accident waiting period of 2 days.

Can I add dental cover to my existing policy?

If your current policy does not include dental illness coverage, you may need to upgrade to a comprehensive plan or switch providers at your next renewal. Some insurers allow mid-policy upgrades, but a new waiting period may apply to the additional dental coverage.