An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 4, 2010

Guard retirees eligible for dental coverage

By Air Force Master Sgt. Russell P. Petcoff Secretary of the Air Force public affairs

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Good oral health is an important part of maintaining overall health and a military retiree's access to dental coverage doesn't end when they hang up their uniform.

With the Tricare Retiree Dental Program, retired servicemembers can purchase affordable dental coverage for themselves and their eligible family members.

The Tricare retiree dental program is available around the world to retired servicemembers who receive retirement pay, "gray area" retired National Guard and Reserve members who are entitled to but not yet receiving retirement pay and Medal of Honor recipients.

Spouses and children up to 21 years old, or 23 years old if they're full-time students, of these retirees are also eligible for the retiree dental program.

Participants in this voluntary plan may get dental care from any licensed dentist within the program's designated service area. However, visiting an out-of-network dentist may require participants to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses and file their own claims.

The Tricare retiree dental program is a premium-based plan administered by Delta Dental and it has cost shares for certain services after beneficiaries reach their $50 per-person deductible. Most preventive, diagnostic and emergency dental services are covered or available for cost-sharing immediately after enrollment, but some services including orthodontics, dentures and crowns are available with a cost-share only after 12 months of continuous enrollment.

The monthly premium rates vary based on the retiree's location and the number of people covered by the plan. These premiums are automatically deducted from retirement pay. The rates are available atwww.trdp.organd adjust Oct. 1 for the next year.

Eligible members may enroll in the Tricare retiree dental program online, by telephone or by mail. Visitwww.trdp.organd click "Prospective Enrollees" for more information on rates and benefits.

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan, a general surgeon with the Delaware Army National Guard, is currently assigned to the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the Medical Director for KFOR Regional Command-East. She leads the charge to ensure troops stay healthy, mission-ready, and medically prepared for anything—even while deployed.
Delaware National Guard Surgeon Leads Multinational Medical Operations in Kosovo
By Sgt. Laura Bradley, | Aug. 19, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Delaware Army National Guard’s general surgeon Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan is at the heart of Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East, or KFOR RC-E, medical operations, overseeing medical readiness initiatives...

A UH-60 Black Hawk picks up water from a pond near the Rancho Fire about 30 miles north of Reno on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3 operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60 Black Hawk from the Army Aviation Support Facility at Stead to support the Nevada Division of Forestry in Elko County. Days after coming off orders for that fire, Army aviators were called for the Rancho Fire. Orders ended this weekend after the fire's forward progression was halted.
Nevada National Guard Aerial Firefighters Mark Busy August
By Capt. Emerson Marcus, | Aug. 19, 2025
RENO, Nev. – Nevada National Guard aerial firefighting efforts have intensified this month as temperatures rise.Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3, operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60...

Staff Sgt. Austin Duck, a team lead in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, leads his team during a training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind., July 26, 2025. Duck was recently awarded the 2024 EOD Master Blaster award in the non-commissioned officer Category. (U.S. Air national Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists from Kentucky Air Guard Recognized for Excellence
By Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett, | Aug. 18, 2025
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, Flight have been recognized for excellence by the National Guard Bureau.Staff Sgt. Austin Duck was named EOD...