Does Medicare cover dental services?
Medicare will not cover dental care that you need for the health of your teeth. For example, checkups, cleanings, fillings, etc. are not covered. Dentures are not covered, even if you have teeth extracted as preparation for a medical procedure.
Medicare will pay for dental services, if for example:
- You receive and oral exam in the hospital before transplant or heart surgery
- You have a disease that involves the jaw (like oral cancer)
- you need surgery to treat jaw or face fractures, or jaw wiring
These procedures are generally performed by an Oral Surgeon. While medicare may pay for these services, they will not pay for follow –up dental care.