<figure><picture><source media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Muhkaeqv84cy-R7mZU8W4JoSUbU=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/VLMZSDY5HJA2TDNA6W4FPC6PB4.jpg"></source><source media="screen and (min-width: 0px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/vqwJi4ggees-ZJXSllvP51Wli34=/800x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/VLMZSDY5HJA2TDNA6W4FPC6PB4.jpg"></source><img src="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Muhkaeqv84cy-R7mZU8W4JoSUbU=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/VLMZSDY5HJA2TDNA6W4FPC6PB4.jpg"></img></picture><figcaption>The monthly premiums for the Tricare Dental Program have increased. (Marc Antoine Baudoux/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
New monthly premium costs for coverage under the <a href="https://www.tricare.mil/TDP">Tricare Dental Program</a> have increased by a few dollars, according to Tricare officials.
The increases are generally in line with previous years&rsquo; increases and go into effect May 1.
This is a voluntary dental benefit for eligible active duty family members and National Guard and reserve members and their families. Active duty service members, including activated reserve component members, get most of their dental care from military dental clinics.
For active duty members with one family member enrolled the single premium is $12.36, up from $11.94 the previous year. The single enrollment premium is for the family member, not the active duty sponsor. The active duty family premium is now $32.13, up from the previous $31.04. This applies when more than one family member is enrolled.
The Tricare Dental Program is a pay-ahead program; each payment is for the next month of coverage. This voluntary Tricare dental coverage is separate from Tricare medical coverage and <a href="https://www.tricare.mil/TDP">requires separate enrollment</a>. The Tricare Dental Plan is administered by United Concordia Companies Inc.
Other rates:
Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (under mobilization orders)
<ul><li>Sponsor only: $12.36, up from $11.94</li><li>Single premium: $30.89, up from $29.84</li><li>Family premium: $80.33, up from $77.59</li><li>Sponsor and family premium: $92.69, up from $89.53</li></ul>
Individual Ready Reserve (not under mobilization orders)
<ul><li>Sponsor only premium: $30.89, up from $29.84</li><li>Single premium: $30.89, up from $29.84</li><li>Family premium: $80.33, up from $77.59</li><li>Sponsor and family premium: $111.22, up from $107.43</li></ul>
In addition to the monthly premiums, there may also be cost-shares for dental services. There are no cost-shares for diagnostic or preventive services.
There are also plan maximums, the most that Tricare will pay for certain dental services:
<ul><li>Annual benefit maximum: $1,500 per enrollee</li><li>Orthodontic lifetime maximum: $1,750 per enrollee</li><li>Dental accident coverage annual maximum: $1,200 per enrollee</li></ul>
Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book &quot;A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families.&quot; She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.
Share:
Tags:
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/tags/karen-jowers">Karen Jowers</a><a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/tags/tricare-dental-program">Tricare Dental Program</a>
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/">In Other News</a>
<figure><picture><source media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/n6517FhDlJOYvRlCPW1bRz8w5RU=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LEAMEW4ST5CIXL65TGCIYGGPD4.jpg"></source><source media="screen and (min-width: 0px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/n6517FhDlJOYvRlCPW1bRz8w5RU=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LEAMEW4ST5CIXL65TGCIYGGPD4.jpg"></source><img src="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/n6517FhDlJOYvRlCPW1bRz8w5RU=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LEAMEW4ST5CIXL65TGCIYGGPD4.jpg"></img></picture></figure>
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/05/04/former-secdefs-blast-senator-over-irresponsible-nomination-holds/">Former SecDefs blast senator over &lsquo;irresponsible&rsquo; nomination holds </a>
The seven former military leaders said holding up confirmations hurts military operations.
<figure><picture><source media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Oj-3zAKVBiI_O8YftZz0XpyNo-0=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/GFULTG2FZNGH3OWQYB4TMDTRTY.jpg"></source><source media="screen and (min-width: 0px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Oj-3zAKVBiI_O8YftZz0XpyNo-0=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/GFULTG2FZNGH3OWQYB4TMDTRTY.jpg"></source><img src="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Oj-3zAKVBiI_O8YftZz0XpyNo-0=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/GFULTG2FZNGH3OWQYB4TMDTRTY.jpg"></img></picture></figure>
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/home/2023/05/04/vincent-stewart-first-black-director-of-the-dia-dies-at-64/">Vincent Stewart, first Black director of the DIA, dies at 64</a>
Retired Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart was the first Black director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the first Marine to lead it.
<figure><picture><source media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/DtRYv-tu4mYLvKswcQQmQ1cYp5Y=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/66W4KMJHOBE5RHKA7VL7PMJ4XI.jpg"></source><source media="screen and (min-width: 0px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/DtRYv-tu4mYLvKswcQQmQ1cYp5Y=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/66W4KMJHOBE5RHKA7VL7PMJ4XI.jpg"></source><img src="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/DtRYv-tu4mYLvKswcQQmQ1cYp5Y=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/66W4KMJHOBE5RHKA7VL7PMJ4XI.jpg"></img></picture></figure>
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/05/04/support-services-for-homeless-veterans-set-to-expire-next-week/">Support services for homeless veterans set to expire next week</a>
Aid programs for homeless vets will end unless Congress speeds through new legislation.
<figure><picture><source media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/E9iDnJ4ma2kLaGEQzaUHstETk4g=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LDMY4SLWAVDA5D5BB4Z6ACETQE.jpg"></source><source media="screen and (min-width: 0px)" srcset="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/E9iDnJ4ma2kLaGEQzaUHstETk4g=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LDMY4SLWAVDA5D5BB4Z6ACETQE.jpg"></source><img src="https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/E9iDnJ4ma2kLaGEQzaUHstETk4g=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LDMY4SLWAVDA5D5BB4Z6ACETQE.jpg"></img></picture></figure>
<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/05/04/at-least-190-pilots-left-the-army-years-early-due-to-admin-error/">At least 190 pilots left the Army years early due to admin error</a>
While the Army assess its losses, current pilots are organizing against what they see an involuntary contract extensions.

Tricare

New monthly premium costs for coverage under the Tricare Dental Program have increased by a few dollars, according to Tricare officials.
The increases are generally in line with previous years’ increases and go into effect May 1.
This is a voluntary dental benefit for eligible active duty family members and National Guard and reserve members and th

New Tricare dental rates take effect

BETHESDA, Md., May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) board of directors has authorized a second quarter 2025 dividend of $3.30 per share. The dividend is payable on June 27, 2025, to holders of record as of the close of business on June 2, 2025.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology c

Lockheed Martin Declares Second Quarter 2025 Dividend

By
@calvinb21
2 seconds ago |
05/08/2025
The Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded contracts to CACI International [CACI], General Atomics, and Viasat [VSAT] to move into the second phase prototype effort for space laser communication terminals that would provide on-orbit data crosslinks…
Already a subscriber or registered user to D

CACI, General Atomics, Viasat Move On In Space Laser Communication Effort

“GA-EMS, under a Phase 1 contract award, leveraged its extensive Optical Communication Terminal (OCT) expertise to develop a design that can be efficiently scaled to deploy a mesh network enterprise of OCTs with capabilities to transfer large volumes of data between spacecraft and ground stations distributed across a wide spectrum of operational do

General Atomics Awarded U.S. Space Force Contract For Phase 2 of the Enterprise Space Terminal Program

Obtaining the MTC has been a goal of GA-ASI since the inception of the MQ-9B in January 2014. The company took its proven UAS platform, the MQ-9A, and added performance enhancing features while ensuring that the design was capable of meeting NATO’s STANAG 4671 Edition 2 airworthiness requirements. To meet those rigorous requirements, the aircraft i

UK Certifies Protector As First of Its Kind Remotely Piloted Aircraft

By |
2 hours ago |
05/07/2025
highlights
Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., said reusing the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile siloes for the replacement Sentinel in the future might not be “more efficient” or “cost…
Already a subscriber or registered user to Defen

No Decision Made Yet on Reusing Minuteman Siloes for Sentinel, Commander Says

Share:
By |
@ReaderRabott
3 seconds ago |
05/06/2025
missile defense
The Missile Defense Agency is moving forward on several initiatives to increasingly prioritize development and integration of multiple directed energy (DE) laser and non-kinetic ways to intercept missiles, the agency director recently told lawmakers.
Air Force…
Already a subscribe

MDA Moves To Prioritize Directed Energy Lasers For Missile Shield

Who We Are
About Overview
Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Strategic Advisory Group
2024 Annual Report
Core Values
Our Solutions
UAS Overview
JUMP® 20-X
JUMP® 20
T-20™
P550™
Puma™ LE
Puma™ 3 AE
Puma VTOL
HaloSwarm
BlueHalo Uncrewed Aerial Systems
Raven® B
VAPOR® Helicopter UAS
telemax™ EVO
tEODor™ EVO
Service Vehicles & Mobile Checkpoints
Locust

Red Dragon®

BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 28, 2025 - Cryotech is honored to celebrate the induction of former Product Manager, A. Tony Myhra into the inaugural Hall of Fame class 2025 for the International Snow Symposium (IASS). The IASS is the world-renowned conference for Snow fighters worldwide. This remarkable achievement reflects his extensive contributions to the

Cryotech's Myhra Inducted Into IASS Hall of Fame

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lockheed Martin Finalizes Orion for NASA’s Artemis II Mission
As we count down to the 2026 launch of Artemis II, Lockheed Martin has achieved a significant milestone in the development of NASA's Orion spacecraft. With the completion of assembly and testing, Orion has been officially transferred to NASA's Exploration Groun

Lockheed Martin Finalizes Orion for Artemis II

May 06, 2025
ARLINGTON, Va., May 6, 2025 – To meet the emerging air threats of today and the rapidly evolving threats of tomorrow, AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced Titan 4, the next generation of its battle-proven, warfighter-trusted Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) technology. Titan 4 is a smaller, lighter, more pow

AV Launches Titan 4 and Expands Titan Family, Ushering in the Next Era of RF Counter-UAS Dominance

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, learns about the capabilities and functions of the M1 Abrams Tank on Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, August 12, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Thorne)
The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee has signaled support for the Army’s new, wide-ranging

HASC's Top Dem Calls Army's New Transformation Plan With Program Cuts 'A Positive Step'

May 06, 2025
ARLINGTON, Va. – May 6, 2025 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (“AV”) today announced the launch of Red Dragon™, a fully autonomous capable, software-defined unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed for one-way attack missions in high-threat, GPS-denied, and communications-degraded environments. Developed as part of AV’s expanding po

AV Unleashes Red Dragon: A New Breed of Fully Autonomous, GPS-Denied One-Way Attack Unmanned Aircraft Systems

By |
@ReaderRabott
3 seconds ago |
05/05/2025
The Navy established Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) 7 on April 25 during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, operating under Commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP).
Led by Cmdr. Matthew Martinez, USVRON 7 will oversee a fleet…
Already a subscriber or registered user to De

Navy Establishes USV Squadron 7 For Small Vessels

Wahid Nawabi is Chairman, President, and CEO of AV, a global defense technology leader redefining the future of unmanned systems across all domains. Under his leadership, AV has transformed into a disruptive force in the industry - focused on innovation, agility, and delivering mission-critical solutions at the speed of relevance.
With more than 30

Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

Pioneering Innovation:
How Lockheed Martin is using AI to transform cybersecurity
In the unseen battlespaces of the digital age, where cyber threats hide around every corner, the U.S. military and its allies are in an unrelenting battle to safeguard their most critical assets: the networks, systems, and secrets that power national defense.
As the c

How Lockheed Martin is using AI to transform cybersecurity

Share:
FacebookXEmailShare
By
@calvinb21
2 seconds ago |
05/05/2025
The Defense Department in March successfully conducted its second flight test of a reusable uncrewed hypersonic vehicle that landed after exceeding Mach 5, a key milestone in increasing the cadence for hypersonic testing, the department said on Monday.
The Stratolaunch-built…
Alrea

DoD Flies Hypersonic Test Vehicle Again, Demonstrating Reusability

Share:
3 hours ago |
05/05/2025
highlights
L3Harris Technologies [LHX] recently received a more than $5.5 million U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) follow-on field engineering services contract for the company’s ALQ-172 electronic countermeasures system on B-52H bombers at Barksdale AFB,…
Already a subscriber or registered user to Defens