Uniformed services retirees and their families are encouraged to check into the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). Benefits under the TRDP have been enhanced from the original basic coverage to form the most unique, comprehensive dental benefits program ever available to uniformed services retirees and their family members. Enhanced coverage under the TRDP became effective Oct. 1, 2000, and is separate from the TRICARE Dental Program*, which is available only to family members of active duty and reserve members and the reserve members themselves. The following is a summary of dental insurance for Military Retirees:

Delta Dental Plan of California

Delta Dental Plan of California administers the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program. Enrollment in the TRDP is voluntary and open to retired uniformed services members and their family members, as well as certain surviving family members of deceased active duty sponsors and Medal of Honor recipients and their immediate family members and survivors. Delta Dental handles all the enrollments. There is a minimum 24-month commitment to stay in the TRDP after which enrollment is renewable for a 12-month period. However, there is a 30-day grace period from the coverage effective date during which voluntary termination of enrollment is allowed without further enrollment obligation provided that no benefits have been used.

TRDP Coverage

The TRDP offers dental coverage throughout the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Canada. All premiums are paid by the enrollee and vary depending on where the enrollee lives.

Newly retired members of the uniformed services who enroll in the enhanced TRDP within 120 days after their retirement from active duty military service have a special opportunity to begin coverage with additional benefits, normally subject to a 12-month waiting period.


As an enrolled member of the TRDP, you may visit any licensed dentist within the service area for treatment. To save you even more out-of-pocket expenses, Delta Dental offers a dentist network with over 90,000 locations nationwide. These network dentists have agreed to pre-negotiated fees and to submit all claims paperwork for you.

If you go to an out-of network dentist, Delta Dental pays the same percentage of covered services but cannot guarantee the dentist’s fees. Out-of-network dentists will bill you for their normal fees, which may be higher than the program allowed amount for the service. You will be responsible for paying your copayment plus any difference between the program allowed amount and the dentist’s billed charge.

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Dental Benefits What TRDP Pays What You Pay
Beginning First 12 Months
Diagnostic and Preventive Services
100%
0%
Basic Restorative Services
80%
20%
Drugs, endodontic, periodontic, oral surgery and anesthesia services
60%
40%
Emergency services
80%
20%
Dental accident coverage
100%
0%
Added after 12 months of continuous service
Cast, crowns, onlays and inlays
50%
50%
Partial/full bridges and dentures
50%
50%
Orthodontia
50%
50%
Expanded after 24 months of continuous service
Cast, crowns, onlays and inlays
50%
50%
Partial/full bridges and dentures
50%
50%

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TRDP Annual Deductible

The annual deductible is $50 per person or $150 per family, with an annual maximum coverage of $1,200 per person. The deductible and maximum do not apply to the diagnostic and preventive services covered at 100 percent as described above, or to dental accident procedures or orthodontia. Orthodontic services have a separate $1,200 lifetime maximum and dental accident coverage has a separate $1,000 annual maximum benefit.

For more information about the TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan, call toll-free at 1-888-838-8737, or visit Delta Dental TRDP online at: http://www.trdp.org/pro/overview.html.