An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Feb. 1, 2023

Need Dental Coverage? TRICARE Dental Program May Be Right for You

By TRICARE Communications

Are you an active duty family member without dental coverage? Or a National Guard or Reserve member? If yes, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) provides dental coverage around the world. And you may be eligible for TDP benefits.
 
TDP is a voluntary dental plan. If you’re eligible, you can enroll in TDP at any time. The important thing to remember is that you must enroll in TDP for dental coverage.
 
“Enrolling in a TRICARE health plan doesn’t mean you’re automatically enrolled in a dental plan,” said Doug Elsesser, program analyst with TDP. “TRICARE medical and dental plans require separate enrollment. If you want dental coverage and you’re eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program, you must enroll separately.”
 
The TDP covers a wide variety of dental services, including two routine exams and two routine cleanings in a consecutive 12-month period. Check out the TDP website to learn about other dental services covered under the program.
 
Read on to learn if you’re eligible for TDP and how you can enroll and maintain your coverage.
 
TDP Eligibility
As outlined in the TRICARE Dental Program Brochure, you can enroll in TDP if you’re:
  • An active duty family member
  • A National Guard or Reserve member
  • A National Guard or Reserve member family member
 
If you’re a National Guard or Reserve member, you can enroll in TDP unless you’re on active duty or you’re covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). (You get active duty dental benefits if you’re on active duty orders for more than 30 days or covered by TAMP.)
 
If you aren’t one of these individuals, go to Dental Plans to learn about your dental coverage options.
 
How To Enroll
There are three ways to enroll in TDP. Sponsors can enroll themselves or family members online through Beneficiary Web Enrollment. Once you’re logged in, choose the “Dental” tab. This option isn’t available overseas.
 
You can also enroll by phone:
  • CONUS (inside continental U.S.): 844-653-4061
  • OCONUS (outside continental U.S.): 717-888-7400 (toll) or 844-653-4060 (toll-free)
 
To enroll by mail, visit the TDP website, scroll to “How to Enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program,” and download the TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment/Change Authorization Form. Fill out the form and mail it with your first monthly premium to United Concordia, the TDP dental contractor at:
 
United Concordia
TRICARE Dental Program
P.O. Box 645547
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5253
 
The start of your TDP coverage depends on the date United Concordia receives your request. If United Concordia receives your TDP enrollment by the 20th of the month, your coverage starts on the first day of the next month. If they receive your enrollment after the 20th of the month, your coverage starts on the first day of the second month.
 
Maintaining Coverage
Once enrolled, you’re committed to 12 months of coverage, unless you qualify for an exception. After you have been enrolled for 12 continuous months, you can continue on a month-to-month basis. You must pay monthly dental premiums until your coverage ends. Your coverage will end if you fail to pay your premiums. In this case, you won’t be able to reenroll for one year.
 
You can use the Find a Dentist Tool to locate a TDP network dentist in the CONUS service area. A similar tool is available to find a dentist in the TDP OCONUS service area. Remember that not all dental services are covered by TDP. It’s always a good idea to check your coverage before getting care with your dentist.
 
Want to learn more about TDP benefits? Check out What’s Covered and the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Man and woman use a camera outdoors

Q&A: TRICARE For Life and Your Family

News
Sep. 14, 2023

Learn how your family’s TRICARE coverage works when one family member becomes eligible for Medicare and...
Read More
Dentist shows patient X-ray on tablet

TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental E...

News
Sep. 06, 2023

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Fortunately, the TRICARE Dental Program covers emergency...
Read More
Person holding credit card next to laptop

Copayments, Cost-Shares, and Other TRICARE Costs...

News
Aug. 29, 2023

When it comes to health care costs, “copayment,” “cost-share,” and “deductible” are terms you might hear a...
Read More
A scientist looks through a microscope

TRICARE Laboratory Developed Tests Demonstration...

News
Aug. 23, 2023

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced the five-year extension of the Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs)...
Read More
Closeup of a hands holding a smartphone with the Express Scripts app on the screen

Stay on Top of TRICARE Prescriptions With Expres...

News
Aug. 17, 2023

Do you need help managing your prescriptions? Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, has a free,...
Read More
A woman reads over a document

Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works...

News
Aug. 15, 2023

If you have coverage in addition to TRICARE through your employer, your spouse’s employer, or a private...
Read More
Closeup of a person's hands on a laptop keyboard

How To Find Your TRICARE Referrals

News
Aug. 09, 2023

If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, referrals play a big role in how you get health care. A referral is when...
Read More
Military evacuates family by boat

Before Natural Disasters Strike, Know Your TRICA...

News
Aug. 02, 2023

When the government issues a state of emergency, TRICARE may temporarily change its procedures to ensure that...
Read More

Sept. 14, 2023

Q&A: TRICARE For Life and Your Family

Learn how your family’s TRICARE coverage works when one family member becomes eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life.

Sept. 6, 2023

TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Fortunately, the TRICARE Dental Program covers emergency dental care. You’ll pay no cost-share for emergency dental services regardless of your pay grade or location. But there are still steps you may need to take to ensure your teeth and gums stay protected in an emergency.

Aug. 29, 2023

Copayments, Cost-Shares, and Other TRICARE Costs You Should Know

When it comes to health care costs, “copayment,” “cost-share,” and “deductible” are terms you might hear a lot. But what do these terms mean, and how might they affect you?

Aug. 23, 2023

TRICARE Laboratory Developed Tests Demonstration Extended, Certain Tests Now Covered

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced the five-year extension of the Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) Demonstration. This means that if you have TRICARE, you’ll continue to have access to certain LDTs that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The DHA also announced that TRICARE will now cover several preconception and prenatal carrier screenings that were previously offered through the demonstration as part of the basic TRICARE benefit.

Aug. 17, 2023

Stay on Top of TRICARE Prescriptions With Express Scripts App

Do you need help managing your prescriptions? Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, has a free, easy-to-use app that can help. The Express Scripts Pharmacy mobile app is a secure way to stay on top of taking your medication. The app is full of useful features, like dose reminders and the ability to approve refills. Here’s a look at some of the ways the app can help you.

Aug. 15, 2023

Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works With TRICARE

If you have coverage in addition to TRICARE through your employer, your spouse’s employer, or a private insurance program, you have other health insurance (OHI). Certain OHI plans can affect your TRICARE health, dental, and pharmacy benefits. Here are six tips to help you learn how TRICARE works when you also use OHI.

Aug. 9, 2023

How To Find Your TRICARE Referrals

If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, referrals play a big role in how you get health care. A referral is when your primary care manager (PCM) sends you to see another provider. If your PCM needs to refer you to a civilian provider, your TRICARE regional contractor also plays a role in the referral process.

Aug. 2, 2023

Before Natural Disasters Strike, Know Your TRICARE Benefits

When the government issues a state of emergency, TRICARE may temporarily change its procedures to ensure that you receive timely medical care. Here’s what you need to know.

July 27, 2023

Understanding Medicare Part D and TRICARE Pharmacy Coverage

You may already have TRICARE For Life (TFL). Or perhaps you’re eligible to transition to this coverage soon. Either way, you may have questions about your TRICARE prescription drug coverage. For instance, you may wonder if you need to have Medicare Part D, Medicare’s prescription coverage. You don’t need Medicare Part D to have TFL. That’s because TFL has the same prescription drug coverage as other TRICARE health plans. (This doesn’t include the US Family Health Plan.)

July 25, 2023

Beat the Back-to-School Rush: TRICARE Preventive Health Checks for Kids

It helps to get required back-to-school health checks before the last minute. Summer vacation is also a perfect time to get other health care services for your kids, like dental and eye exams.