Does Medicare Pay for Dentists?

Dental care is one of the most talked about benefits in Medicare--specifically because Medicare covers so little of it. However, Medicare does cover dental care in a few instances.

What Isn't Covered

• Medicare does not cover any dental care received from a dentist for the sole purpose of preserving the health of a person's teeth. This includes routine dental care like cleanings, fillings and other dental services that are not threatening the patient's non-dental health, the official Medicare website reports.

What Is Covered

• Medicare does cover any dental care needed in order to protect a patient's overall health, according to Medicare Interactive. Medicare's official website reports it will also pay for the removal of any teeth as needed in order to complete other medically necessary procedures. For example, if a patient requires jaw surgery and the doctor must remove teeth, this is Medicare-covered.

Follow-Up

• Medicare, however, does not pay for any follow-up care needed after receiving Medicare-covered dental care once the health condition is treated or protected. Medicare Interactive reports Medicare will not pay for a crown or for dentures or any other dental care following treating the immediate dental threat to the patient's health.

Dental Hospitalizations

• If a patient must be hospitalized for a dental procedure, Medicare will cover things such as the room and board, anesthesia and x-rays, according to Medicare Interactive. It will not however, pay for the costs of the physicians.