AARP dental plans are discount programs, not insurance
AARP dental is not dental insurance. It is a discount membership program that reduces what you pay at participating dentists. You pay a yearly membership fee — currently $119.99 for individual coverage or $179.99 for a couple — and then receive discounts on cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, and other procedures at dentists in the AARP network.
The discount ranges from 10% to 60% depending on the procedure and the dentist. A cleaning that normally costs $150 might cost $120 with your membership. A crown that costs $1,200 might cost $600. You pay the discounted price directly to the dentist at the time of service. There is no claim form, no waiting period, and no annual maximum benefit.
AARP dental is underwritten by Delta Dental, one of the largest dental discount networks in the country. This means the dentists in the network have agreed to accept AARP's negotiated rates in exchange for the volume of members AARP brings them.
Key Takeaways
- AARP dental membership costs $119.99 per year for one person or $179.99 for a couple, and discounts range from 10% to 60% depending on the procedure.
- You can use your membership at any dentist in the Delta Dental network, which includes roughly 200,000 dentists nationwide, though not all dentists in your area may participate.
- There is no waiting period, no annual maximum, and no claim forms — you straightforward show your membership card and pay the discounted rate at the time of your visit.
- AARP dental does not cover preventive care like cleanings and X-rays at no cost; you still pay the discounted price for every service.
- You can cancel your membership at any time and receive a refund if you cancel within 30 days of purchase.
How to find a dentist in the AARP network
Before you buy an AARP dental membership, you should check whether dentists near you are in the network. If your current dentist is not in the network, the membership may not save you money.
Go to aarp.org/dental and use the dentist search tool. Enter your zip code and the tool will show you participating dentists within a set distance. You can filter by specialty — general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery — and see which ones are accepting new patients. Call the dentist's office directly to confirm they accept AARP dental and ask about their current fees for the procedures you need.
If you do not find dentists in your area, AARP also offers a dental discount plan through a different network called Careington. This network is smaller but may have different dentists in some regions. You can compare both options before deciding whether a membership makes sense for you.
What procedures are discounted and by how much
AARP dental discounts cover most dental work: cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontics. The discount percentage varies by procedure and by dentist.
Preventive care — cleanings and exams — typically receives a 10% to 15% discount. Basic restorative work like fillings usually gets 15% to 25% off. Major work like crowns and root canals often receives 40% to 60% off. Orthodontics (braces) typically gets 10% to 20% off.
The exact discount depends on what the dentist has agreed to with Delta Dental. Two dentists in the same network may offer different discounts for the same procedure. Before you schedule, ask the dentist's office what discount they offer for the specific work you need. This is the only way to know what you will actually pay.
AARP dental versus traditional dental insurance
AARP dental and dental insurance are fundamentally different products, and which one makes sense depends on how much dental work you expect to need.
| Feature | AARP Dental Discount | Traditional Dental Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly cost | $119.99 individual; $179.99 couple | Varies widely; typically $100–$300+ per month |
| Waiting period | None | Often 6–12 months for major work |
| Annual maximum | None | Usually $1,000–$2,000 |
| Preventive care | Discounted (10–15% off) | Often covered at 100% |
| Major work (crowns, root canals) | 40–60% discount | Usually covered at 50% |
| Best for | People with few dental needs or those who want to avoid waiting periods | People expecting significant dental work or wanting predictable costs |
If you need one crown this year, AARP dental will likely save you money. If you need four crowns, root canals, and a bridge, traditional insurance might be cheaper — but only if you have already met the waiting period and have not hit your annual maximum.
How to enroll in AARP dental
You can enroll in AARP dental online at aarp.org/dental or by calling AARP at 1-888-687-2277. You do not need to be an AARP member to buy AARP dental, though you do need to be 50 or older.
Enrollment takes about 10 minutes online. You will provide your name, address, date of birth, and payment information. Your membership card will be emailed to you when ready, and you can start using it right away at any participating dentist. You can also print a temporary card from the website if you have an appointment before your physical card arrives.
AARP dental is month-to-month, so you can cancel at any time. If you cancel within 30 days of purchase, you will receive a full refund. After 30 days, you will not receive a refund, but you can stop renewing at any time.
Alternatives to AARP dental
If AARP dental does not have dentists in your area or the discounts are not large enough, other discount dental plans exist. Careington, which AARP also offers, has a different network of dentists. Dental discount plans from other companies like Smile, Dentalplans.com, and GlideWell also exist and may have better coverage in your region.
If you have Medicare, you should also check whether your Medicare Advantage plan includes dental. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover cleanings and basic work at no cost or low cost. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with dental, that may be a better value than AARP dental, since it is already included in your plan.
If you are uninsured and cannot afford dental work even with a discount, ask your dentist whether they offer a payment plan or sliding scale based on income. Many dental offices will work with you directly rather than require you to buy a membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AARP dental with Medicare?
Yes. AARP dental is separate from Medicare and can be used alongside it. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes dental, you should compare the two before buying AARP dental — the Medicare plan may cover more at lower cost. If you have Original Medicare, it does not include dental, so AARP dental or another discount plan may help.
Does AARP dental cover implants?
Some dentists in the AARP network offer discounts on implants, but not all do. Call the dentist's office and ask whether they place implants and what discount they offer through AARP. Implant costs vary widely, so getting a quote before you commit to the membership is important.
What if my dentist is not in the AARP network?
You cannot use AARP dental at an out-of-network dentist. You would pay full price. If your current dentist is not in the network, check whether they will join or whether you are willing to switch to a participating dentist. If not, AARP dental will not save you money.
Is there a waiting period before I can use my AARP dental membership?
No. You can use your membership when ready after enrollment. There is no waiting period for any procedure, which is one advantage AARP dental has over traditional dental insurance.
Can I get a refund if I do not use my membership?
You can cancel within 30 days of purchase and receive a full refund, regardless of whether you used it. After 30 days, there is no refund, but you can stop renewing the membership at any time and will not be charged again.