CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® and Marketing for Change published the national poll on October 14, 2026. Nine in 10 voters support dental coverage through Medicare. Support also crosses party lines on improving veterans' access to dental care, according to CareQuest's poll announcement.
The Medicare proposal drew support from 96% of Democrats. Republicans backed it at 86%, while Independents came in at 92%. Traditional Medicare does not cover most routine dental services. That includes exams and cleanings. Fillings and dentures are also generally excluded, although limited coverage may apply when dental care is directly connected to a covered medical procedure or treatment. Under the Medicare dental coverage rules, beneficiaries pay for many preventive and restorative services, along with dentures, or turn to private Medicare Advantage plans, whose benefits vary.
That coverage gap sits at the heart of respondents' argument: people who have paid into Medicare throughout their adult lives should have dental care covered.
The poll measures voter support, not a change in Medicare coverage. Expanding the standard benefit would require congressional action and funding.
Veterans' coverage also draws broad support
On VA dental coverage, 96% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans said they support improving coverage so all veterans qualify for dental services. The release gives no figure for Independents on this question. VA dental eligibility is governed by law and regulations, including 38 U.S.C. §§ 1710(c) and 1712, plus 38 C.F.R. §§ 17.160 through 17.166. Eligibility and the extent of care depend on service circumstances and disability status. Participation in certain programs also matters. The VA community dental care guidance describes the program's eligibility framework.
CareQuest Institute conducted the poll with Marketing for Change as part of broader voter research into how oral health policies resonate in the current political landscape. The results describe support for expanding coverage. They do not change Medicare or VA eligibility rules.
Cost and prevention shape voter priorities
Researchers said voters connected oral health to concerns they already have about health care costs, including dental bills. Respondents viewed improvements to Medicare and Medicaid dental coverage as a way to expand choices in oral health care. They also saw value in improving VA coverage and preventing problems before they become more serious and costly.
The results feed into a wider debate over oral care in health planning, a subject also covered in coverage of wellness plans. CareQuest Institute CEO Wade Rakes said Americans across the political spectrum consider oral health an important health care issue. "Voters want dental care to be more accessible and affordable, especially for people that face significant barriers," he said.
Traditional Medicare's dental benefit remains unchanged.
