According to our analysis, the best dental insurance plan is Anthem Essential Choice PPO Platinum. We evaluated dental plans by price, maximum annual benefit, waiting period, and coverage level to determine which dental insurance is best for you.
Best Dental Insurance Plans of 2024
- national anthem: Best dental insurance for root canals and crowns
- guardian: Best dental insurance for dentures
- Ameritas: Best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare
- Signa: The best dental insurance for orthodontics
- humana: best cheap dental insurance
- spirit dental: The best dental insurance for preventive care
Why you can trust our small business experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers have no influence on our editorial content.You can read more about us methodology Under.
- We evaluated 28 dental insurance plans.
- 588 data points were analyzed.
- 5-step fact check.
Top Rated Dental Insurance of 2024
Compare the best dental insurance quotes
Monthly dental insurance premiums are based on a 30-year-old woman living in California. Prices may vary.
We scored 28 independent dental plans to find the best dental insurance. Only the top plans of each company are listed. Benefit details may vary by state, so check your plan brochure for more information. Evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
Fee: 40 points. I compared monthly rates for a 30-year-old woman in California. When California was unavailable, Texas was used.
Maximum annual insurance claim payment amount: 10 points.
Basic care payment level: 10 points.
Main nursing care coverage for the first year: 10 points.
Implant coverage: 10 points.
Orthodontic coverage: 10 points.
No waiting period for preventive treatment: 5 points.
Waiting period for basic treatment: 5 points.
What is the best insurance for dental treatment?
Based on cost and coverage analysis, the best dental insurance is sold by Anthem and Guardian. The best dental insurance for you will depend on your overall dental health, future dental needs, and how much you are willing to pay for dental care.
If you want to maintain good oral health, it’s a good idea to get insurance that covers 100% of your preventive care. If you need coverage for your family, you should also consider the benefits of orthodontics for your children, says her Dr. Arun Nursing, CEO of Dr. Arun Nursing & Associates Smile by Design .
Older adults are at much higher risk for periodontal disease and should look for a dental plan that covers periodontal disease, Dr. Narang said. Seniors should also consider dental insurance for major procedures that involve appliances such as bridges, dentures, and partial appliances.
Types of dental insurance plans
- HMO: a Dental Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) policies only cover services received from in-network dentists. In exchange for staying in-network, you receive low-cost premiums and fixed coinsurance premiums. Some plans have no waiting period or annual caps for covered dental services.
- PPO: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans allow you to move out of network, but pay less if you stay in network. Additionally, annual coverage limits and waiting periods typically apply, which vary depending on the type of service.
- Service fee: Also called a compensation plan, you can see the dentist of your choice. This plan covers a portion of your dental treatment and pays for the rest.
- Dental discount plan: Instead of signing up for a dental plan with your insurance company, you can get discounts on services from participating dentists.
“if [you] “Most people are generally healthy, but in some cases it may be better to enroll in a wellness plan at your dentist’s office or just pay for a hygiene visit than to enroll in a traditional dental insurance plan,” says Dee. says Dr. Dee Meevasin, owner of for Dentist.
Best dental insurance company for major jobs
Extensive dental work can be expensive, and coverage from top dental insurance companies varies. The best dental insurance for major work will depend on the type of procedure you need, how much you want to pay, and how quickly you need the work completed.
- Anthem’s Platinum PPO Crowns, root canals, and dentures are 50% covered after a six-month waiting period and a $50 per person deductible applies. The plan also has a generous annual cap of $2,000.
- Ameritus Prime Star Complete If you need a large job completed quickly, a dental plan is for you. There is no waiting period and he will receive $2,500 in coverage from day one, but he will pay a higher coinsurance the first year.
- Signa Dental 1500 This plan is especially suitable for adults who need orthodontics because there is no age limit for orthodontics. His 50% of in-network costs up to $1,000 will be covered.
- Spirit Dental Core Network This plan covers up to $1,200 for your child’s orthodontics, but you only pay 10% in the first year and 25% in the second year.
How much does dental insurance cost?
The average cost of dental insurance with comprehensive coverage is $49 per month, according to our analysis. Preventive dental insurance plans cost an average of $24 per month.
The amount you pay for dental insurance depends on factors such as:
- your age.
- your gender.
- your condition.
- Whether you want to insure just yourself or your entire family.
- The type of policy you choose (HMOs are cheaper than PPOs).
- The plan you choose (insurances with less coverage will cost less per month).
- Co-insurance amount.
- Deductible.
- Annual maximum value for the policy.
What does dental insurance cover?
Dental coverage varies by insurance company, but dental procedures and services typically fall into four main categories.
- Preventive and routine care: Dental exams, teeth cleanings, dental x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments.
- Basic dental care: Stuffing and easy extraction.
- Main dental treatment: Crowns, inlays, oral surgery, complex extractions, root canals, periodontics, bridges.
- Other services: Dentures, orthodontics, and dental implants may be listed as primary services or as separate categories.
Are you concerned about the cost of implants? How to receive dental implants covered by insurance
Some dental insurance companies offer comprehensive plans that include other benefits such as vision and hearing. For example, the Ameritas Complete plan offers a hearing test benefit that partially covers hearing aids. However, these benefits typically require you to add a vision or hearing plan to your dental plan or purchase it as a standalone policy for an additional fee.
What is not covered by dental insurance?
Not everything is covered by dental insurance. Exclusions vary by plan, but often include:
- Orthodontics for adults. Children can receive coverage for orthodontics such as braces, but lifetime coverage is typically capped at $1,000.
- Cosmetic dental services, such as veneers and dental adhesives.
- teeth whitening, However, some plans include coverage after a waiting period.
Things to keep in mind when choosing a dental insurance plan
When looking for a dental insurance plan, there are several things to keep in mind. If you have excellent oral health, you may have different dental needs than someone with severe dental problems.
Check the waiting period
Most dental plans have no waiting times for preventive and basic treatments, but major treatments usually have wait times of at least six months. However, some providers will waive certain waiting periods if you previously had dental insurance through your employer, said Dr. Carrie Sun, Cigna’s chief dental officer. If you need extensive dental work, it’s worth checking which dental insurance companies offer this benefit.
Is your dentist in-network?
If you like your current dentist, ask them what dental insurance plans they accept. HMOs do not cover out-of-network dentists. You’ll also end up paying more if you go out-of-network with your PPO plan. Save money on your dental care by choosing an in-network dentist.
Compare out-of-pocket costs and insurance premiums
Consider your out-of-pocket costs compared to your monthly premiums. Some plans have lower premiums, but with coverage you will pay higher coinsurance. Depending on the type of dental care you need, you may be able to save more on your out-of-pocket costs by choosing a more comprehensive plan with higher monthly premiums.
Also, don’t forget to check your plan’s maximum payment amount. Most plans have an annual maximum amount that the insurance company will pay. However, some have lifetime limits. So if the policy’s lifetime maximum is his $2,000, that is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay over the life of the policy.
Also look out for lifetime maximums for certain benefits, such as $1,000 for your child’s orthodontics.
Find tiered benefits
Some dental insurance plans have tiered benefits, meaning you pay more in the first year than in later years. Coinsurance is the percentage of care you pay for compared to what your insurance company pays. Consider purchasing a plan that pays the highest coinsurance from day one.
How to buy dental insurance
There are several ways to obtain dental insurance.
- Directly from the insurance company: Many insurance companies offer standalone dental insurance plans, which include all the plans that scored highly in our analysis. Comparing dental plans can help you find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
- In the health insurance market: The Healthcare.gov Marketplace has standalone dental plans that you can purchase in addition to your health insurance policy.
- Through your employer: Many employers offer dental insurance as part of their employee benefits package. Group dental insurance is usually the cheapest option, but it’s limited to companies and plans offered by your employer.
Best dental insurance FAQs
Dental insurance is not included in insurance Health insurance However, you can also purchase stand-alone dental insurance to cover your dental needs. If you don’t have dental insurance through your workplace, you can find a wide range of plans through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or directly from your insurance company. You can find the cheapest dental insurance by comparing plans online.
Whether dental insurance is worth it depends on your dental needs and the cost of your preferred dental procedures. Insurance coverage makes dental care more affordable for some people. Comparing the cost of dental care to dental insurance rates and out-of-pocket costs can help you decide whether the cost of dental insurance is worth it for you.
Whether you choose an HMO or PPO for your dental care depends on whether your preferred dentist is in the provider’s network. Dental HMOs have lower premiums, but require you to use an in-network dentist. With a dental PPO, you have more freedom because you can choose an out-of-network dentist, but you’ll pay higher premiums.
The most popular type of dental insurance coverage is the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan. National Dental Planning Association (NADP). PPO dental insurance policies offer flexibility in accessing out-of-network dentists, but they are more expensive than HMOs. The dentist agrees to a contract price for each procedure and agrees not to charge you the difference if the actual price is higher.
