Insurance and billing
Medicare and dental
Also called Medicare dental coverage
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, with limited exceptions.
Original Medicare generally does not pay for routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings, extractions or dentures. It may cover certain dental services tied to a covered medical treatment, such as an exam before some surgeries, or hospital care for a dental problem in some cases. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer routine dental as an extra benefit. Ask older patients which plan they have before assuming anything.
Example at the front desk
He has Original Medicare, so his cleaning is self-pay unless his plan has a dental add-on.
US and Canada
This is a US issue. Canadians use provincial programs, private plans or the Canadian Dental Care Plan.