Dental disease is one of the most common — and most commonly misunderstood — health issues for both dogs and cats. By age three, most pets show some signs of periodontal disease, and treatment (including professional cleanings under anesthesia, extractions, and addressing abscesses) can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The catch is that “dental coverage” means very different things across providers: some cover dental illness as part of their base accident-and-illness plan, others exclude it entirely, and almost none cover purely cosmetic or preventive cleanings without a wellness add-on. This guide breaks down which providers offer the most useful dental coverage in 2026.
Quick Answer: Dental Coverage by Provider
| Company | Dental Illness on Base Plan? | Covers Periodontal Cleanings? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin | Yes | Yes, at any stage of periodontal disease (if not pre-existing) | Among the broadest dental inclusion in the industry |
| ASPCA | Yes (Complete Coverage) | Yes, as part of illness coverage | One of the broadest dental inclusions |
| Fetch | Yes | Yes, injury and disease affecting adult teeth/gums | No sublimits stated, subject to reimbursement terms |
| Embrace | Yes | Dental illness covered; routine cleanings via Wellness Rewards add-on | Wellness Rewards add-on: $15–$30/mo, up to $700/yr |
| MetLife | Partial (via Preventive add-on) | Up to $100–$150/yr for cleanings (Preventive 365 / 575 plans) | Dedicated dental cleaning reimbursement tiers |
| Nationwide | Yes (bundled) | Yes, dental cleaning bundled into comprehensive plan | One of few carriers bundling cleanings without separate add-on |
| Trupanion | Partial | No — excludes cleanings tied to periodontal disease | Covers dental from accidents and some illnesses only |
| Healthy Paws | No | No | Dental coverage excluded entirely |
Coverage details and reimbursement limits vary by state and plan tier — always confirm exact dental coverage terms in the policy documents before enrolling.
How We Evaluated These Plans
We reviewed each provider’s published policy documents and dental coverage explainers, focusing on three distinct categories that are often lumped together under “dental coverage”: dental injury (e.g., a broken tooth from an accident), dental illness (periodontal disease, gingivitis, abscesses), and routine preventive cleanings. We noted which providers cover each category on their base plan versus requiring a separate wellness add-on.
Understanding the Three Types of “Dental Coverage”
- Dental injury: A broken or knocked-out tooth from an accident (like being hit by a car or chewing on something hard). Most accident-and-illness plans cover this as a standard accident claim.
- Dental illness: Periodontal disease, gingivitis, tooth root abscesses, and extractions needed to treat disease. This is the category where coverage varies most — some insurers include it on the base plan, others exclude it, and some only cover it once it’s progressed to a certain stage.
- Routine/preventive cleanings: Scheduled dental cleanings done before disease develops. These are almost never covered by accident-and-illness plans and instead require a wellness or preventive care add-on.
1. Pumpkin — Best Overall Dental Illness Coverage
Pumpkin stands out for covering eligible dental cleaning costs related to periodontal disease at any stage — not just early-stage disease, as some insurers require — as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing. Combined with its flat 90% reimbursement, this makes Pumpkin one of the strongest options if dental disease is a top concern.
Pros:
- Covers periodontal cleanings at any stage of disease
- Flat 90% reimbursement applies to dental claims too
Cons:
- Annual payout caps ($10,000–$20,000)
- Routine/preventive cleanings still require the separate Preventive Essentials pack
2. ASPCA — Best for Bundled Dental Illness
ASPCA’s Complete Coverage plan includes dental disease as part of its illness coverage, rather than as a bolt-on. Combined with a $100 deductible option, this can make dental claims more affordable to actually use.
Pros:
- Dental illness included in Complete Coverage, not a separate add-on
- Low deductible options available
Cons:
- Lower-tier plans may not include the same dental breadth
3. Embrace and MetLife — Best for Routine Cleaning Reimbursement
If what you actually want is help paying for routine, preventive cleanings (not just disease treatment), Embrace’s Wellness Rewards add-on ($15–$30/month) reimburses routine cleanings up to your selected annual limit (up to $700/year), while MetLife’s Preventive 365 and 575 plans offer dedicated dental cleaning reimbursement of $100–$150 per year.
Pros:
- Specifically designed to offset routine cleaning costs ($300–$700 typical cost per cleaning)
- Embrace’s Wellness Rewards can also cover vaccines, microchipping, and spay/neuter
Cons:
- Adds $15–$30/month on top of your base premium
- Annual reimbursement limits may not cover a full cleaning cost
4. Nationwide — Best for Bundled Dental Without an Add-On
Nationwide is one of the few carriers that bundles dental cleaning into a comprehensive plan rather than requiring buyers to purchase a separate add-on — simplifying the decision if dental care is a priority.
Pros:
- Dental cleaning bundled into the comprehensive plan
- Also offers exotic pet coverage, useful for multi-species households
Cons:
- Comprehensive plans with bundled dental may cost more than basic accident-only plans
What’s Usually Excluded, Even on “Dental” Plans
- Cosmetic dental procedures
- Dental disease that was already present or diagnosed before enrollment (treated as pre-existing)
- Routine cleanings, unless you’ve added a wellness/preventive plan
- In some cases, extractions tied to advanced periodontal disease that developed before coverage began
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?
Routine teeth cleaning is rarely covered by standard accident-and-illness plans. To get reimbursement for cleanings, you typically need a wellness or preventive care add-on, like Embrace’s Wellness Rewards or MetLife’s Preventive plans.
Which pet insurance covers dental disease?
Pumpkin, ASPCA, Fetch, Embrace, and Nationwide all include meaningful dental illness coverage on their base or comprehensive plans, while Healthy Paws excludes dental coverage entirely and Trupanion covers only limited dental scenarios.
Is a broken tooth covered differently than dental disease?
Generally, yes in practice — a broken tooth from an accident is typically covered as a standard accident claim by most accident-and-illness plans, while ongoing dental disease (periodontal disease, gingivitis) is the category where coverage varies most between providers.
How much does a dental cleaning cost without insurance?
Professional dental cleanings (which typically require anesthesia) commonly cost $300–$700, depending on your pet’s size, the extent of cleaning needed, and whether any extractions are required.
Our Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, veterinary, or insurance advice. We are not a licensed insurance agency, and nothing on this page should be taken as a guarantee of coverage, pricing, or claim outcomes. Pet insurance pricing, reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and exclusions vary by state, by pet, and change frequently — always review the official policy documents and get a personalized quote directly from the provider before purchasing a plan. We may earn a commission if you sign up for a plan through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This does not influence our rankings or opinions, which are based on our independent research of publicly available plan information.
Last updated: June 2026.