Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleaning?
Routine dental cleanings are preventive care and are excluded from standard accident & illness plans. Wellness add-ons cover one cleaning per year up to a limit ($100–$300). Dental illness — like periodontal disease or tooth fractures — is covered differently.
Dental Cleaning Cost: With vs. Without Insurance
Assumes $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement (standard plan terms)
What Pet Insurance Covers
Wellness riders cover routine cleanings ($100–$300/year). Dental illness coverage (periodontal disease, tooth extractions due to disease or injury) is included in most A&I plans.
What's Excluded
Routine prophylactic cleaning under anesthesia. Pre-existing dental disease documented before policy start.
Waiting Period
Wellness riders: 14-day waiting period. Dental illness (A&I): typically 14 days.
Breed-Specific Considerations
Small breeds (Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Chihuahuas) have significantly higher dental disease rates. If your dog is a small breed, dental illness coverage is worth prioritizing.
Plans That Cover This
The Pre-Existing Condition Rule
Pet insurance doesn't cover conditions that existed before your policy started. That means anything in your pet's vet records — a limp noted once, an ear infection two years ago, a lump your vet mentioned — can become an exclusion. Enroll before your pet has any documented health problems to get the most out of your coverage.