Updated March 16, 2004

The TRICARE Dental Program

     The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) was implemented on Feb. 1, 2001. The TDP is a voluntary dental insurance program that is available to eligible Active Duty family members, Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) members, and their eligible family members. The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program is a separate program.*

Dental Coverage:

• The TDP covers a wide range of diagnostic, preventive and restorative services—dental X-rays, examinations, cleanings, fluoride applications, sealants, fillings, root canals, crowns, etc.
• Benefit package includes general anesthesia coverage when provided in connection with a covered benefit. Dentists or other professional providers must be licensed and approved to provide anesthesia in the state where the service is rendered.
• Maximum annual benefit coverage is $1,200 for all routine dental care. The maximum lifetime orthodontic benefit coverage is $1,500.

• Enlisted members in pay grades E-1 to E-4 have reduced cost-shares for certain procedures.

     Eligibility:    Family members of all active-duty uniformed services members, Selected Reserve (SELRES) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) members and/or their families may enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program. Sponsors must have at least 12 months remaining of their service commitments at the time they or their families enroll. The 12-month enrollment commitment is waived for families of Reservists called to active duty for certain contingency operations if they apply for TDP within 30 days of entry on active duty. 

     Eligibility is determined based on the service member’s military personnel information residing in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The uniformed services personnel office reports the information to DEERS.

     Active duty personnel are not eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program. They receive dental care from military dental treatment facilities. Reservists who are ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days have the same benefits as active-duty service members.

* Additional information pertaining to reservists and their families can be found in the Medical and Dental Care for Reserve Component Members and their Families Fact Sheet

     Former spouses, parents, parents-in-law, disabled veterans, foreign military personnel, and uniformed services retirees and their families are not eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program.

     Enrollment:    Enrollment in the TDP is handled by United Concordia Companies, Inc. (UCCI), the TDP contract administrator. Enrollment/Change applications are available by calling UCCI at 1-888-622-2256. Online enrollment is available at www.ucci.com.

     The enrollment application must be received by UCCI not later than the 20th day of the month for coverage to begin on the first day of the next month. UCCI is required to complete the enrollment process online real-time to the DEERS database. If UCCI receives the application after the 20th day of the month, coverage may not begin for two months. Incorrect eligibility information being provided to DEERS will cause applications to be denied. Enrollment options are available at www.ucci.com.

     Once enrolled, members must stay in the TRICARE Dental Program for at least 12 months (with certain exceptions, such as loss of DEERS eligibility because of divorce, marriage of a child, etc.).  After 12 months, enrollment continues on a month-to-month basis.  The sponsor must contact UCCI to disenroll from the TDP.

 

The first month’s premium is due upon enrollment. The premium amount is shown on the enrollment form. After the first month, monthly premiums may be paid by payroll allotment, or, in some cases, may be billed directly to the member by UCCI.

Costs to the Beneficiary:

     For more information about the TDP, beneficiaries may access the benefit handbook online at www.ucci.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-866-8499, 24 hours a day. Members residing outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) should call 1-888-418-0466 (toll-free). This number is available in the following countries: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Columbia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. At all other locations, members should call 1-717-975-5017. Representatives are available to assist members in English, German and Italian 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.

*See also: 

Medical and Dental Care for Reserve Component Members and Their Families Fact Sheet  
TRICARE Dental Program Survivor Benefit Fact Sheet