Insurance and costs
Fort Huachuca Families: A Plain-English Guide to the TRICARE Dental Program
How the TRICARE Dental Program works for Fort Huachuca families: who is eligible, premiums, cost shares by service, and how to use it at a local dentist.
Key takeaways
- Active duty service members get dental care through the military. Their families use the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP).
- United Concordia administers the TDP. Monthly premiums for March 2026 to February 2027 range from $8.79 to $30.47 for active duty families.
- Preventive and diagnostic care has no copay and there is no annual deductible. Basic restorative care carries a cost share.
- Before a PCS move, request copies of your family's dental records and X-rays.
- Always confirm network status with the dental office and United Concordia before your visit.
Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca have grown up together, and a large share of families in Cochise County have a connection to the installation. For active duty families, dental benefits work differently from the civilian plans most dental offices see every day. This guide explains the basics in plain English.
Benefit details change. Everything below reflects publicly posted TRICARE information as of October 2026. Always confirm your own coverage with TRICARE and United Concordia.
Who gets what
Active duty service members receive dental care through military dental clinics, and are not enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program themselves.
Active duty family members are eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), a voluntary dental insurance plan. Family members can be enrolled whether or not the sponsor is.
National Guard and Reserve members and their families can also be eligible for the TDP, with different premiums.
Retirees are not covered by the TDP. They can get dental coverage through FEDVIP, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.
Who runs it
The TDP is administered by United Concordia. The Defense Health Agency lists United Concordia’s U.S. customer service number as 844-653-4061. Enrollment is handled through milConnect.
What it costs in 2026
New TDP premiums took effect on March 1, 2026 and run through February 28, 2027. For active duty sponsors, the monthly rates are:
| Coverage | E-4 and below | E-5 and above |
|---|---|---|
| Single (one family member) | $8.79 | $11.72 |
| Family (more than one family member) | $22.85 | $30.47 |
The plan is pay-ahead, which means each payment covers the following month.
What is covered, and what you pay
- Diagnostic and preventive care such as exams, cleanings and X-rays: no copay, and no annual deductible.
- Basic restorative care such as fillings: 20 percent cost share.
- Root canals, gum treatment and oral surgery: 30 percent for sponsors in pay grades E-4 and below, 40 percent for E-5 and above.
- Crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontics: 50 percent, with an annual maximum and a lifetime orthodontic maximum.
Before major treatment, ask the dental office for a written estimate and, if needed, a predetermination from United Concordia so there are no surprises.
Keeping care on track through a PCS move
Military families move, sometimes mid-treatment. A few habits make it much easier:
- Ask for copies of records and X-rays before you leave, including any treatment plan in progress.
- Finish or pause treatment cleanly. If a crown or root canal is underway, talk with your dentist about timing so a tooth is not left with only a temporary.
- Keep up with cleanings, since preventive visits carry no copay and catch problems before they become expensive.
- Ask about orthodontic transfers early if a child is in braces or aligners, because not every provider continues another office’s case.
Families who are not on the TDP
Not every family near Fort Huachuca is active duty. Veterans, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and contractors often have civilian dental insurance through an employer or a retiree plan. Gentle Care Dentistry & Implants works with many dental insurance plans, including MetLife, Delta Dental, Aetna PPO and GEHA, and offers CareCredit and Cherry financing.
The simplest next step
Before your first visit, call (520) 458-9460 with your plan name and the sponsor’s details. The team will check whether the office is in network for your plan and explain what your visit will cost. You can also read more about preventive and family dentistry at Gentle Care.
Common questions
Who administers the TRICARE Dental Program in 2026?
United Concordia administers the TRICARE Dental Program. Its U.S. customer service line, as listed by the Defense Health Agency, is 844-653-4061.
Does the TRICARE Dental Program cover cleanings?
Yes. Diagnostic and preventive services such as exams, cleanings and X-rays have no copay, and there is no annual deductible. Other services carry cost shares and are subject to annual maximums, so check your plan details.
Does Gentle Care Dentistry & Implants accept TRICARE dental?
Call the office at (520) 458-9460 with your plan information. The team will confirm whether they are in network for your plan and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your visit.
Sources
This article is general information, not medical or dental advice for your situation. Call (520) 458-9460 or see your own dentist about your symptoms.