Basic Medicare does not cover preventive dental care , despite many assuming that it does . A Washington Dental Service Foundation study of 375 Spokane adults found that 51 % incorrectly believed that Medicare covered preventive dental care or did not know if it did . Though some Medicare health plans do cover preventive dental services , extra coverage is not guaranteed and medical costs for fillings , crowns and X - rays may not be covered . With a 2012 survey finding that 30 % of 4,400 respondents over the age of 55 on a lower income had painful mouth aches regularly , and that 40 % of respondents between the ages of 75 to 84 did not have dental insurance . The survey also found that 38 percent of respondents ages 75 to 84 didn't have any dental insurance. Dental treatments can run into the thousands of dollars , making insurance a priority for those on Medicare who may have further health issues as a result of not treating mouth issues .
Basic Medicare does not cover preventive dental care , despite many assuming that it does . A Washington Dental Service Foundation study of 375 Spokane adults found that 51 % incorrectly believed that Medicare covered preventive dental care or did not know if it did . Though some Medicare health plans do cover preventive dental services , extra coverage is not guaranteed and medical costs for fillings , crowns and X - rays may not be covered . With a 2012 survey finding that 30 % of 4,400 respondents over the age of 55 on a lower income had painful mouth aches regularly , and that 40 % of respondents between the ages of 75 to 84 did not have dental insurance . Dental treatments can run into the thousands of dollars , making insurance a priority for those on Medicare who may have further health issues as a result of not treating mouth issues .