Budgeting for Dental Costs as Part of a Long-Term Care Plan

Dental care is often overlooked in long-term care planning. It may not seem as important as memory care, housing, and mobility, and costs creep up rather than spike. Yet it has a significant impact on health and quality of life in aging adults.

However, dental care can be more manageable when it becomes a recurring, plannable expense. Various strategies can help people set aside money for common dental costs to make them more affordable. This article discusses how you can make dental care part of long-term medical care.

Why Dental Care Matters More With Age

As people get older, the risk of dental issues increases. Weakened enamel, dry mouth related to health conditions and medications, and gum recession contribute to dental problems. A reduced immune response makes infections harder to fight.

As a result, older adults are prone to:

• Gum Disease: According to the CDC, nearly two out of three adults 65 and over have gum disease.
• Tooth Loss: An NIH study reveals that about 11% of adults 65-74 have lost all their natural teeth, a number that roughly doubles to one in five for individuals 75 and over.

Dental issues go beyond localized pain. They also impact other elements of well-being. Untreated infections raise the risk of heart disease and respiratory conditions. They can also worsen diabetes and may be linked to Alzheimer’s and arthritis.

What Medicare Does and Doesn’t Cover

Many older adults think Medicare will help them cover dental costs. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) excludes most dental care, including routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and implants. The only exception is when these procedures are necessary as part of a bigger medical procedure.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a better option for dental care, offering coverage for cleanings, exams, X-rays, and restorative work.

However, benefits and annual maximums vary by plan and insurer. Furthermore, due to changes in 2026, there are fewer plan choices in some areas. Forced disenrollments and thinning coverage are other issues older adults are dealing with.

Creating a Long-Term Dental Care Budget

The need for advanced dental care and unreliable insurance means many older adults should plan a budget to ensure they can afford the care they require. The first step involves estimating the annual out-of-pocket dental spend for the following costs:

• Routine cleanings and checkups
• Dentures, implants and bridges
• Emergency and restorative procedures
• Ongoing costs for denture adjustments and replacements

Smart Ways to Save for Dental Care

Once you know what you’re up against, you can begin building your long-term strategy in ways that support money saving. Here are a few factors to consider:

Standalone Dental Insurance vs. Discount Dental Plans

Medicare Advantage benefits are limited and vary by plan, and many people use standalone dental insurance or discount dental plans as their main coverage, or as a supplement once MA benefits run out. But which should you choose? Here’s a rundown of what each entails.

• Standalone Dental Insurance: Real insurance that involves paying a monthly premium that covers 100% of preventive visits and a percent of restorative work to an annual maximum (typically around $1,000 to $1,500). Once you hit the cap, you pay out of pocket for additional work for the rest of the year. There’s often a waiting period before work is covered.
• Discount Dental Plans: Technically not real dental plans; members pay an annual fee. In exchange, participating dentists provide a discount, typically ranging from 10% to 60%. There’s no claims process or maximums, and usually no waiting period.

HSA/FSA

These are tax-advantaged accounts that let people set money aside for healthcare using pre-tax dollars, which lowers the cost of care.

• HSA (Health Savings Account): Only available to people enrolled in a high-deductible plan. It involves depositing untaxed money into a savings account, where it grows tax-free and isn’t taxed when used for medical expenses. Unused funds roll over each year, so you can build a reserve over time.
• FSA (Flexible Savings Account): Like an HSA, FSAs also use pre-tax dollars, but they are offered through an employer. Additionally, the money doesn’t roll over, so it’s best applied to immediate health expenses.

A Dedicated Plan Line Item

Less a specific financial product and more of a budgeting habit, this involves treating dental as its own planned category with a long-term budget, as someone would plan for medications or home care rather than letting it fall under a vague healthcare category or treating it as a surprise expense. It involves estimating a realistic annual number and setting money aside, separate from other expenses.

When Costs Exceed Budget: Financing Options

Dental care planning is an excellent solution, handling medical costs without breaking the bank, but even with smart budgeting, you may exceed your limit. Things pop up unexpectedly and can be more expensive than you imagined. That’s where payment plans come in.

Payment plans work similarly to credit cards. The lender pays the dental provider up front, in full at the time of service. The patient then owes the balance to the lender, spreading payments over time to make them more affordable.

Additionally, many payment plans offer limited-time, interest-free payments, so expenses don’t accrue.

When getting started with a payment plan, ask your provider which plans they work with. Ensure the lender is reputable and offers reasonable rates. If you’re happy with their services, you can apply online, usually without a hard credit check, and find out if you’re approved right away. Get the care you require and make monthly payments until the balance is paid off.

Start Planning Your Dental Healthcare Today

Seniors are at high risk for dental issues, but there's no better time to start planning than now. Consider setting aside money in an HSA or a dedicated savings account, review your insurance options, and ask about payment plans for anything insurance doesn't cover. With the right approach in place, dental care doesn't have to come with financial surprises.