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The Military Health System is responsible for the overall oral health and readiness of service members - both active and the Reserve component. Additionally, the MHS offers dental insurance plans that all other TRICARE beneficiaries can purchase if they choose. TRICARE Dental Options.
Dental Care for Service Members
Oral health classifications determine if a service member is deployable. To learn more, see the Policy on Standardization of Oral Health Readiness Classifications.
| Class |
Description |
Deployable? |
| 1 |
Patients with a current dental examination and don't require dental treatment or evaluation. |
Yes |
| 2 |
Patients with a current dental examination, who require non-urgent dental treatment or evaluation that are unlikely to result in dental emergencies within 12 months. |
Yes |
| 3 |
Patients who require urgent or emergency dental treatment. |
No |
| 4 |
Patients who require periodic dental examinations or patients with unknown dental classifications. |
No |
Active Duty Service Members
Active duty service members, including activated Reserve component members, get most dental care from military dental clinics.
Reserve Component Members
The Reserve Health Readiness Program is a Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency program that helps to supplement the Reserve Components' readiness mission and satisfy key deployment requirements by providing medical and dental services to all Reserve Component forces. Dental exams and treatment are provided based on a member's Service component.
- Reserve component members may qualify to purchase one of TRICARE's voluntary dental insurance plans, based on his or her military status (see below).
- If a dental injury is incurred in the line of duty, service members also qualify for Line of Duty Dental Care through the ADDP.
Dental Care for All Others
All others can purchase a dental plan offered through TRICARE or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program based on their beneficiary status. Visit the TRICARE website to learn more.
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Last Updated: February 13, 2024