Word of Mouth

Updated July 10, 2026

With summer vacation season in full swing, the last thing people want to think about is a cracked tooth or abscess while traveling.

We've got good news, though. Most Delta Dental plans include coverage for emergency out-of-network care. All your employees will need are receipts and a claim form. Here’s what your employees should know.

What's covered

Plans offer emergency out-of-network coverage for members while they are traveling and are a certain distance away from home. If they visit an out-of-network dentist, the reimbursement will be lower, but the claim may be eligible for reimbursement if it meets all plan requirements.
 

• Delta Dental PPO™ members can receive out-of-network services to stabilize a condition, control dental pain or provide palliative relief.
• DeltaCare® USA typically provides up to $100 for covered out-of-network emergency dental treatment. This benefit is generally intended for emergency care received when a member is away from their assigned dental facility (often more than 35 miles away) and needs treatment to relieve pain until they can return to their DeltaCare USA dentist.

Once the emergency dental condition is stabilized, members can get non-emergency treatment at their regular in-network dentist. Services are subject to the plan benefits, and your plan booklet will have more information on how dental emergencies are covered.

Access dental care while traveling

Delta Dental members who need dental care while traveling can access a Delta Dental dentist virtually 24/7.

Our trusted partner, Teledentistry.com, makes it possible to consult an in-network dentist about dental or oral health issues via video visits or photo submissions.

Members just need to answer some questions about the reason for their visit and enter their insurance details. Then, a Delta Dental dentist can provide treatment recommendations, prescribe medication to patients with a video appointment and provide aftercare instructions through their computer or mobile device.

Find a dentist anywhere

If an in-person visit is needed, members can call our dentist referral service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether they're in the U.S. or abroad.

Delta Dental does not maintain a participating dentist network overseas, but our referral service makes it easy for members to locate a dentist and receive dental care regardless of where their travels take them.

• From inside the U.S. — Call toll-free: 888-558-2705
• From outside the U.S.— Call collect: 1-312-356-5971

When calling from outside of the U.S., members must first dial the international dialing code from the country in which they are located, then the country code for the U.S. ("1") and then this number: 312-356-5971. Let the operator know that the call is collect.

Get a receipt

If a member has a dental emergency that requires an in-office visit in another state or country, they can visit any dentist in the area who provides emergency services, but they have to pay the dentist out of their own pocket and then request reimbursement from Delta Dental for that care.

Delta Dental members will need a detailed receipt or billing statement from the dental office that includes the following information:

• Delta Dental plan subscriber's member ID (sometimes called enrollee ID)
• Amount paid (in original currency)
• Services provided and teeth treated
• Name, address and phone numbert of dentist
• Date of service

File a claim

Both in-country and out-of-country network claims can be submitted directly through the Delta Dental member site. Once on the Delta Dental member site, members can:

1. Go to Claims & visits
2. File an out-of-network claim
3. Follow the step-by-step submission process

Members can also:

• Upload required documentation such as receipts and X-rays.
• Receive a confirmation reference number for easier claims tracking.

Remind your employees that in the event they or their dependent has a dental emergency that's life-threatening, they should call 911 (if in the U.S.) or go to the nearest emergency room. For all other emergencies, they should review their plan-specific information.