DECEMBER 10, 2025 – Maintaining dental health is a critical part of overall force readiness. Are you on active duty but live far away from your nearest military dental clinic? Or do you need dental care that your military dental clinic can’t provide?
You should know that TRICARE offers the Active Duty Dental Program. This program allows active duty service members to get care through civilian providers under certain circumstances. The ADDP helps catch problems early and prevents them from becoming more serious.
“Knowing when to see a civilian dentist can save time and prevent complications,” said Douglas Elsesser, dental program analyst, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “ADDP guides you to the right dental care without unnecessary delays. It helps make sure you get the care that you need, when you need it.”
Who can get care through the ADDP
The ADDP is available to all ADSMs. It also covers National Guard and Reserve members who are on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days. Some members in early activation, the Transitional Assistance Management Program, or in line of duty status also qualify.
How you get care depends on where you’re stationed and if you’re remotely located.
- CONUS:
- You’re remotely located if you live and work more than 50 miles away from a military dental clinic.
- Not remote? You can see a civilian dentist through the ADDP with a referral from your military dental clinic.
- OCONUS: You must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas.
When to use civilian dental care
Military dental clinics are the main providers of dental care for ADSMs. However, they can’t always provide every type of treatment. Also, not every service member is stationed close to one. In those cases, the ADDP lets you see a civilian dentist at no cost, as long as you follow the ADDP rules.
You may be eligible to see a civilian dentist through ADDP in two situations:
- Remote locations: You’re assigned to a duty station more than 50 miles from a military dental clinic.
- Care unavailable at your military dental clinic: Your military dental clinic doesn’t offer the dental services you need and will refer you out.
Getting an Appointment Control Number
Before scheduling with a civilian dentist, you’ll need an Appointment Control Number.
An ACN allows TRICARE to pay for your civilian dental visit under the ADDP. You must have one before getting care outside a military dental clinic.
- If you already have an authorization or referral: Your authorization letter will list your ACN. You can find this letter in your ADDP My Account.
- If you don’t have an authorization or referral: You may still be able to request your own ACN for routine dental care. The needed care must meet these criteria:
- It’s a covered benefit.
- It costs less than $750 per procedure or appointment.
- It totals no more than $1,500 in a 12-month period.
- It’s scheduled with a network dentist (CONUS).
Do you need specialty care? Or do your costs exceed these limits? You’ll need authorization from your civilian dentist, as described in the Active Duty Dental Program Handbook. You can find more details on ACNs and other program rules in the handbook.
How to request an ACN
- Submit an ACN Request Form online (fastest option, CONUS only).
- Call the ADDP contractor, United Concordia, at 866-984-2337 (CONUS) or 844-653-4058 (OCONUS).
How to make an appointment with a civilian dentist
Once you have an ACN, here’s what to do:
If you’re in a CONUS location:
- You can schedule an appointment with a network dentist. United Concordia can help you. Do you have a referral? Your military dental clinic can also schedule your appointment.
If you’re in an OCONUS location:
- Call United Concordia for help finding a TRICARE OCONUS Preferred Dentist. A TOPD will:
- File claims for you
- Submit pre-authorizations before you get costly or complex treatment
New tool for military dental care: findDHA
If you aren’t using the ADDP for civilian care, you’ll go to a military dental clinic. The Defense Health Agency recently launched findDHA, an interactive mapping tool. This tool can help you find the closest military dental clinic for routine care.
ADDP vs. other TRICARE dental programs
Are you a family member, retiree, or service member who isn’t on active duty? You won’t get care through the ADDP. You can buy dental coverage through a different program.
- The TRICARE Dental Program offers coverage to family members of ADSMs and National Guard or Reserve members not on active orders and family members.
- The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program offers coverage to retired service members and their family members.
By covering care at military dental clinics with support from civilian dentists in the ADDP, TRICARE helps you maintain dental readiness wherever you serve.