Pet insurance can offer financial protection against unexpected vet bills, but it may come as a shock when a claim for your pet’s dental treatment is declined by your insurance provider. In recent years dental work is more frequently excluded from standard insurance cover and many pet owners don’t seem aware of dental related exclusions. We have had several occasions in our practice where clients have been surprised and disappointed to find that the vets’ bill for dental treatment is not covered under their insurance policy. So, what’s going on? Why are insurance companies excluding dental cover? How do you know if your insurance company offers dental protection? Do any insurance companies still offer dental cover in 2026?
Why dental cover is often excluded for pets
Many pet insurance policies exclude dental work because it’s considered a routine or preventative part of pet healthcare.
Dental scaling and polishing specifically is often excluded, your vet may recommend dental scaling to help maintain good oral health. This is often classed as a routine treatment in the same way that dental hygienist appointment is for people. Removing plaque and tartar build up helps to prevent dental disease such as periodontitis and can even reduce the likelihood of future extractions (with good follow up dental care at home), dental problems can be identified before they develop into more serious conditions.
Dental disease is extremely common in dogs and cats. A 2001 study carried out by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) found that one in every 8 dogs (12.5%) overall suffers from dental disease every year. Another RVC study carried out in 2023 found that 15.2% of cats are diagnosed with periodontitis annually. Because dental problems affect so many pets during their lifetime, insurers may view some dental treatment costs as an expected part of responsible pet ownership.
How can you tell if your pet insurance policy includes dental coverage?
When comparing insurance policies, it’s easy to be drawn to the lower premiums or those offering promotions such gift vouchers for new customers. However, it’s really important to carefully read the small print and make sure you’re happy with the insurance cover being provided. When it comes to dental cover, you may find that some companies do include dental treatment but the cover can vary significantly. There are often limitations or requirements that affect whether a claim will be paid. Here are some of the more common things to look out for:
- Accident only dental cover – Some policies only cover veterinary dental treatment if it’s being carried out due to an accident. For example, a broken tooth from chewing something too hard or as a result of an injury. Other policies may include cover for dental illnesses, such as tooth root abscesses, gum diseases or tooth extractions but this often comes with additional terms and conditions or requirements.
- Dental history – when a claim is submitted to an insurance company they usually request for your pet’s full veterinary history. Many policies require that pets must have had regular dental examinations to maintain dental cover. Dental checks are often carried out during your pet’s annual health checks or vaccination appointment and recorded on their clinical records. If a problem is found or a treatment recommended it will be noted on the clinical records. It can be helpful to ask your Vet or Vet nurse if your pet’s dental history is fully recorded before a claim is made.
- Time limits – Some policies state that dental work must be carried out within a specific timeframe after being recommended by your vet, such as within 3 months or 6 months. It’s important to check your own policy documents and know the treatment deadlines. If the dental work is delayed or a recommended preventative treatment such as scaling not carried out, dental claims may be declined.
- Pre-existing conditions – Many pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions. So if your pet has had gingivitis or other dental disease before, treatment for this and related conditions may be excluded. There can be exceptions to this rule, for example some lifetime policies may continue to cover ongoing conditions if you stay with the same insurance company and have kept up-to-date with renewals and payments
- Waiting period – There is usually a waiting period, commonly around 14 days after buying an insurance policy before cover begins. Any illness beginning before or during the waiting period will be classed as a pre-existing condition and won’t be covered. This is to stop insurance fraud where a person may try to claim for a condition after their pet becomes ill. The waiting period for accidents is sometimes shorter.
Do any UK insurance companies still offer dental cover in 2026?
The short answer is – Yes! There are insurers that offer dental cover for pets, including specialist pet insurance companies and providers that offer multi-cover policies. A quick internet search or using an insurance comparison website will bring up several options. While we’re unable to recommend specific insurance providers, we do recommend taking the time to compare policies and read the small print thoroughly so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Be aware that although a company may promote dental cover, it isn’t usually included as standard, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s covered before taking out a policy. Some insurers may offer dental cover as an optional extra, meaning you’ll need to pay a little more to add it to your policy. That’s why it’s important to read the policy documents carefully and make sure you understand the level of cover provided, along with any exclusions, limits, or conditions outlined above.
It’s also worth remembering that dental cover is just one part of pet insurance. When choosing a policy, consider your pet’s breed, age, and any pre-existing health conditions, and look at the overall cover to find the option that’s right for you and your pet.
Preventing dental disease
Prevention is better than cure or treatment! Even if your pet insurance does offer dental cover, it’s still important to look after your pets’ teeth to maintain their overall wellbeing. Dental disease doesn’t only cause bad breath but can be very painful, affect their quality of life (animals are usually very good at hiding dental pain) and in severe cases can even lead to systemic infection.
Dental procedures can be expensive and may not be fully covered by your insurance policy. The good news is there are things you can do at home to prevent dental disease. Tooth brushing is the most effective way to reduce plaque build-up and prevent gum disease. It may sound unusual but it is possible to brush your pet’s teeth and it really does make a difference. Please see the articles linked below for more details on tooth brushing and dental homecare for cats and dogs.
Conclusion
Dental cover can differ greatly between pet insurance providers, so make sure you read the small print before purchasing a policy. Understand what’s covered, what’s excluded, and what requirements you need to meet. This can help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure your pet receives the dental care they need when the time comes. Some time spent doing your research before you buy a policy is well worth it in the long run.
Further reading and related articles.
Brushing dogs teeth: How to brush your dogs teeth (and stay friends afterwards)!
Cat dental care – how to brush your cats teeth
Are dental diets for dogs worth it?
Pet insurance comparison – what to look for
Whats the difference between a good insurance company and a cheap insurance company in 2025?
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