If your health insurance doesn’t cover dental treatment, a stand-alone dental plan may be the best way to keep up with your oral health. The cost of routine dental care (cleanings and X-rays) typically ranges from $40 to $97, while more complex procedures, like a root canal, can cost more than $1,000 per tooth.
Dental insurance can significantly reduce your expenses, especially for expensive restorative work such as crowns, fillings, implants and braces.
To help you find the dental care that’s right for you, here are the best dental insurance plans for 2022.
our top picks for the best dental insurance plans
- guardian direct: best for important work
- delta dental – best for braces
- humana: best for a variety of plan options
- dentaquest: the best for affordable dental care
- spirit dental: the best way to avoid waiting periods
- united healthcare dental: best for short waiting periods on basic services
- cigna: best for national coverage
- delta ppo premium covers 100% of routine care and 20-50% of basic and major procedures. orthodontic treatment is covered at 50%, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500.
- deltacareusa, the company’s low-cost hmo dental plan, establishes fixed copay rates for preventive, basic and major services (including orthodontia) with no deductibles or annual limits. In the state of California, beneficiaries pay up to $2,800 out of pocket for braces, and the plan covers the difference. the disadvantages are that members must pay an annual premium up front and the network of providers is limited.
- preventive value ppo is great for people who want low-cost preventive care
- The bright plus ppo plan adds coverage for basic procedures, like fillings and simple extractions, and includes discounts for veterans on prescriptions and vision and hearing care.
- The last two policies, plete dental ppo and loyalty plus ppo, provide the most complete coverage with benefits for preventive, basic and major procedures.
- ortho 15000 comprehensive personal dental plan ($1,500 annual benefit limit)
- ortho 2000 comprehensive personal dental plan ($2,000 annual benefit limit)
- preventive coverage – 80% coverage from day one. coverage increases to 100% in the second year.
- basic coverage – fillings and extractions. the policy covers 50% after four months, up to $1,000 annually. coverage will increase to 80% by the second year.
- no major work coverage.
- cigna dental prevent: covers 100% of preventive care. no annual limits or deductibles apply.
- cigna dental 1000: Covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic services and 50% of major work. the payment limit is set at $1,000 per calendar year.
- cigna dental 1500: Covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic services and 50% of major work. the annual limit is set at $1,500 and covers orthodontia for children and adults up to $1,000 per lifetime.
- preventive care includes checkups (oral exams and cleanings), sealants, and x-rays. most providers offer 100% coverage with no waiting periods or deductibles for these procedures.
- Basic or routine care refers to fillings, non-routine x-rays, denture repairs, and simple extractions. coverage is generally capped at 80% and beneficiaries must meet the policy’s deductible rate.
- major procedures include root canals, gum disease, surgical extractions, dentures and implants. coverage rarely exceeds 50% after meeting the policy deductible.
- preventive services: 0 months
- Basic procedures: 3 to 6 months
- major services: 12 to 24 months
- Coverage benefits for preventive, basic and major services: Our top picks offer 100% coverage on all preventive services and offer at least one plan that covers 50% of basic and major procedures.
- Annual Maximum Limits: Most dental plans limit payments to $1,500 or $2,000 per year. providers who set annual limits below $1,000 did not make the cut.
- premium rates: We excluded plans that charged high premium rates and did not offer more affordable options. Paying more than $70 a month for dental insurance is not feasible for many, even if the plan offers unique benefits, such as no waiting periods or high payments.
- multiple plan options – Dental care needs vary greatly from person to person. we select providers that offer something for everyone, whether they are prevention-focused plans or more comprehensive benefits.
- customer satisfaction: we quoted the rate of complaints established by the national association of insurance commissioners and the rating of each company in the satisfaction of the us dental plan. uu. 2021 from j.d power. we do not exclude companies based on consumer satisfaction due to limited data. instead, we list the available information in the pros and cons section.
- guardian direct: best for important work
- delta dental – best for braces
- humana: best for a variety of plan options
- dentaquest: the best for affordable dental care
- spirit dental: the best way to avoid waiting periods
- united healthcare dental: best for short waiting periods on basic services
- cigna: best for national coverage
best dental insurance reviews
Why We Chose It: Guardian Direct stands out because it includes 50% major work coverage on all policies except the initial, its preventive-only plan option.
Starting at $23.62, Guardian Direct’s core plan covers procedures such as crowns, oral surgery, implants and dentures. annual maximum limits start at $500 and increase to $1,000 in the third year, while dental implants have a separate lifetime maximum of $700.
The mid-level, achievement plan, adds orthodontia benefits for people under age 19 and increases the maximum annual limits. the plan starts with a limit of $1,000 and goes up to $1,500 in the third year.
Finally, the diamond plan starts with a maximum payment limit of $1,500 for the first year and adds coverage for teeth whitening (capped at $500 annually).
Why We Chose: Delta Dental’s nationwide availability, comprehensive dental benefits, and no age limit on braces make it a great choice for families and individuals who need orthodontic care.
delta dental is one of the few providers that extends orthodontic benefits to children and individuals age 19 and older. Sample quotes from California, Florida, and New York yielded three plan options, two of which include orthodontia coverage.
Readers interested in delta dental should note that although delta lists a total of five dental plans on its main website, the benefits and availability of each plan differ by zip code because the plans are administered by independent delta dental companies.
To see what plans are available to you, select your state from the carrier dropdown menu, which includes all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and other US territories. uu.
*made in a single payment for the whole year.
Why We Chose You: Human dental insurance offers six dental plan options, including four plans with in-network and out-of-network coverage, a dental savings plan, and a low-cost hmo plan with a limited provider network.
Humana Dental’s plan options start with five PPO policies that offer different levels of coverage to fit each beneficiary’s dental care needs and budget.
We especially liked the loyalty plus ppo plan because there are no waiting periods on any covered benefits, including important work. Coverage begins as soon as the plan is active and Humana increases benefits annually through the third year of enrollment. for the third year, the insurer covers 100% of preventive care, 70% of routine care and 50% of major work up to an annual limit of $1,500.
humana also offers a dental savings plan and a value hmo dental plan. starting at $11.99, dental value hmo covers preventive, basic, and major procedures with no waiting periods, deductibles, or annual limits. This policy works best for people who prefer affordable premiums and don’t mind a limited provider network or fixed copay rates.
Why We Chose You: For less than $15 a month, dentaquest personal dental plus covers 100% of preventive services, 50% of basic care and 30% of procedures main.
dentaquest offers comprehensive, preventive-only dental care at a price significantly lower than its competitors.
The personal dental plan is a preventive only plan that covers annual cleanings, x-rays and evaluations for $8.35 per month. The next plan levels (Personal Dental Basic and Personal Dental Plus) add more coverage for major and minor restorative services, such as extractions, fillings, denture repairs, and oral surgery.
Dentaquest’s most comprehensive coverage is available under the following policies:
Both plans cover 100% preventive care, 80% basic labor, and 50% major procedures, including braces for both children and adults.
As with other carriers, plan availability varies by state. Enter your ZIP code in the dentaquest search tool to see plan options in your area.
*sample quotes for dentaquest personal dental plans are not available in new york or california.
Why We Chose You: Spirit Dental is one of the few providers to waive waiting periods on all of their dental policies and in all benefit categories, including major and restorative work .
Spirit dental plan options are divided into two groups: network and choice.
the
network plans offer the best rates with providers within the approved network, while the choice plans allow beneficiaries to choose their preferred provider with no requirements of net. The downside to this flexibility is higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Two of Spirit Dental’s plans, Pinnacle Choice and Pinnacle Network, also offer a calendar year annual maximum of up to $5,000 (except in Connecticut, Illinois and New York). This benefit is a significant jump from the usual $1,500 limit, which is a huge relief for policyholders who need to finance major procedures like implants or dentures. however, beneficiaries must pay high premiums and wait until the third year of enrollment to qualify for the full $5,000.
Feel free to download the spirit dental brochure for more details on coverage benefits in specific states.
why we chose it: while most providers impose a six-month waiting period, unitedhealthone has two plans with a short four-month waiting period for basic dental care.
Plans with no waiting periods can be prohibitively expensive for many people. united healthone’s essential and essential preferred plans meet the needs of patients who require basic services like fillings and extractions and can’t wait long.
starting at $24, the essential plan includes:
Preferred Essential includes everything available in the Essential plan and adds 15% major work coverage with a six-month waiting period. after the second year of enrollment, the primary work benefit increases to 60%, with a payment limit of $1,000.
In addition to essential and essential preferred plans, unitedhealthone offers eight dental insurance policies divided into primary and premier plans.
The four policies listed under the primary plans provide the most coverage for preventive and basic services, while the primary plans are better for beneficiaries who need higher employment benefits and higher annual limits.
Why We Chose: Cigna’s availability combined with a provider network of over 300,000 locations make it our top choice for nationwide coverage.
cigna offers its beneficiaries in all 50 states two dental insurance plans with preventive care coverage, basic and major, and a preventive coverage policy.
Plans include competitive premium rates, industry standard payment limits, and coverage percentages that compare favorably to other major dental insurance providers:
Finally, seniors and retirees who have lost employer-provided coverage and those looking to change their insurance can get immediate dental care with Cigna. As long as the policyholder has had dental insurance in the last 12 months, Cigna will waive all waiting periods for restorative care, including cavity fillings and root canals.
other dental insurance plans we consider
The following companies did not qualify for any of our “best for” categories, including providers with higher premium rates and dental insurance marketplaces. however, many offer comprehensive dental care and are still worthy of consideration.
goal life
metlife’s five dental insurance options include affordable hmo policies with fixed copay rates and ppo policies for members who want in-network and out-of-network coverage.
The most comprehensive policy available is PPO High, which has an annual payment limit of $2,000. the plan covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic procedures and 50% of major work. the premium plan starts at $44.90.
smart health dental insurance
Smart Health Dental Insurance offers two dental insurance policies (Preventive PPO and Elevated Comprehensive), as well as a dental discount plan.
preventive ppo covers 100% of preventive procedures and 50% to 80% of basic services, such as x-rays and fillings. Elevate Comprehensive offers additional coverage for the main services and incremental annual payment limits. however, the initial annual benefit is only $750, which is low compared to similar policies from other providers.
merits
meritas offers three policies with comprehensive coverage and in-network and out-of-network coverage. Two of these plans also offer payment limits that increase annually up to $2,000.
The company’s dental insurance policies compare favorably with other insurers in terms of deductibles, covered procedures and premium rates. however, ameritas did not make it to our top picks because its most affordable plan option has a maximum annual benefit of $750. Similar policies from other providers limit annual payments to $1,000 or more.
doctors mutual fund
physians mutual dental plans include more than 350 preventive, basic and major dental procedures with the provider of your choice. What sets each plan apart is the monthly premium rate and the dollar amount the policyholder is reimbursed for each eligible service.
Standard waiting periods apply to basic and major dental services, but there are no annual maximum limits, deductibles, or network requirements.
aflac
aflac’s supplemental dental plans are designed to fill in coverage gaps in your existing health or dental insurance policy. If the treatment or procedure is listed in the schedule of benefits, Afact reimburses a fixed dollar amount directly to the policyholder.
Unfortunately, the Aflac website is sparse on coverage details; if you want a quote, you will need to contact an agent by phone.
1dental
1dental offers a different way to pay for dental care through its discount dental membership program. The company negotiates discounted rates with participating providers and passes these savings on to its members.
1dental offers two membership plans for an annual fee of $119 or a package of both for $169. Because these are not traditional dental plans, there are no waiting periods, exclusions, annual limits, or deductibles.
dentalplanes.com
dentalplans.com is a marketplace where you can find both discount dental plans and dental insurance. Once you provide your ZIP code, the platform lists various dental plan options from providers such as Aetna, Humana, Delta, and Renaissance Dental.
Dental savings plans purchased through dentalplans.com are eligible for a 30-day money-back guarantee. That said, the marketplace charges a $20 non-refundable registration fee.
dental insurance guide
In this section we explain how dental plans work and the insurance options available in the market. We also look at the costs associated with dental care and the steps you need to take to choose the right dental insurance provider.
how does dental insurance work?
A dental insurance policy covers the cost of check-ups, routine cleanings and other dental restoration work, such as fillings, implants and crowns. Many providers like Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealthone also offer dental, hearing and vision packages.
Providers are regulated at the state level, which means plan availability, benefits, and rates may vary by state.
dental coverage benefits
Dental insurance companies divide benefits into three categories: preventive care, basic or routine care, and major procedures.
Even if technically an important job, orthopedic treatment is considered a separate category for insurers. coverage for children’s orthodontics is easier to find than for adults, but coverage is capped at 50% regardless of the patient’s age.
Companies also impose a lifetime benefit limit, which means they will only pay for braces or aligners once during the life of the policy.
If you’re thinking about getting braces, check out our article on how much invisalign costs and what options are available.
dental coverage exclusions
Dental insurance includes clauses for pre-existing conditions, such as congenitally missing teeth. this means your plan will not pay for implants or bridges to replace missing teeth unless those teeth are missing due to an accident or illness.
waiting periods
once you have an active policy, insurers may impose a waiting period on certain services. Although this ultimately depends on plan type and carrier, standard waiting periods look a bit like this:
There are dental plans without waiting periods for basic and major services, but they are expensive. coverage also starts small and increases each year. for example, implants are covered immediately, but the company will only pay 15% of the total cost, which is very little considering that a single implant can cost more than $1,600. the company will pay 50% of the same procedure if a patient waits six months or more.
types of dental insurance plans
The three types of dental plans currently on the market are dental preferred provider organization (dppo or ppo) plans, dental health maintenance organization (dhmo or hmo) plans, and payment plans. by service:
dental preferred provider organization (dppo)
dppo plans have a larger network of dentists and patients have more flexibility in choosing their doctors. You can see both in-network and out-of-network providers, but you’ll find the best in-network rates for dental providers.
This flexibility comes at a higher price: dppo plans are more expensive in premiums and have higher out-of-pocket costs.
dental health maintenance organization (dhmo)
a dhmo plan works within a network of dental providers. there is a fixed copay for each visit, premiums are more affordable, and there are no annual maximum limits.
members of a dhmo plan have a smaller network of providers to choose from and will also need to select a primary care dentist from the plan’s network. Lastly, there is no out-of-network coverage, and seeing a specialist requires a referral.
fee-for-service plans
Fee-for-service plans pay a flat rate for eligible services. this type of plan allows for greater flexibility because patients can visit the provider of their choice.
The downside is higher out-of-pocket costs. patients can make a copay at the dentist’s office or pay up front and then file a claim for reimbursement with their insurance provider.
dental discount plans
a discount dental plan is not dental insurance. is a membership program that charges a monthly or annual fee in exchange for discounts on eligible dental services from participating providers.
There are no waiting periods on any services and most procedures benefit from a discounted rate, including orthodontia. With discount dental plans, people without insurance can still access dental care at a reduced cost. however, discount rates range from 10% to 60% and the network of participating dentists may be smaller.
In addition to dental discount plans or preventive coverage, you can invest in additional products to improve your dental hygiene. devices such as electric toothbrushes and oral irrigators make it easier to control cavities and gum disease.
Check out our best electric toothbrushes and best electric dental irrigators to find the one that best suits your needs.
how much does dental insurance cost?
Dental plan premiums range from $17 to $96. cost varies by plan type, level of coverage, and state of residence.
Plans with the lowest premiums cover preventive procedures and offer minimal or no coverage for basic and major services. On the other hand, plans with the highest premiums tend to have shorter or no waiting periods, high annual limits, and comprehensive coverage for preventive, basic, and major work.
If comprehensive dental benefits are prohibitively expensive for you or your family, consider low-cost alternatives to dental health insurance, such as dental school clinics and state assistance programs.
cost of common dental procedures
The cost of dental care depends significantly on the provider, location, and whether the patient is insured.
To give readers a general idea, we looked at the average cost of common dental procedures in the 2020 Dental Fee Survey published by the American Dental Association (ADA). then we calculate how much that procedure would cost with an insurance policy that covers 100% preventive care, 80% basic work, and 50% complex procedures.
This is what we found:
additional costs to consider
Insureds pay monthly premiums for their coverage, but that’s not the only expense to consider. deductibles, copayment, coinsurance, and annual maximum limits also affect the total cost of dental care.
deductibles
A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. Most dental insurance companies set annual deductible rates of $50 per person and $150 per family. other providers charge a single deductible, but plans with this type of deductible tend to have higher premiums and a higher deductible ($100-$200 for individuals and more than $400 for family plans)
coinsurance
coinsurance refers to the portion of dental care that the policyholder must pay out of pocket after the deductible is met and insurance coverage kicks in.
Imagine you need a root canal treatment that costs $300 and your dental insurance covers 80% of the procedure, but charges a $50 annual deductible. if you met this deductible at a previous visit, the coinsurance for the root canal would be $60 (20% of the total cost). however, if you have not yet met the $50 deductible, the procedure would cost $100.
copayment
A copay (or copay) is a fixed fee that members pay each time they seek specific services or products, such as prescriptions and office visits (regardless of whether they have met the policy deductible or not). copay rates should be listed on your insurance card or policy document.
annual maximum limits
A policy’s annual maximum limit sets the highest dollar amount a provider will pay for dental care in a calendar year. most policies set limits between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on the type of plan and the service. certain services such as orthodontics have their own limits within the policy.
Once you exceed the benefit maximum, all other dental expense payments will be out of pocket. for family plans, the annual maximum limit applies to each individual separately.
how to get dental insurance
Most people have access to dental insurance through their employer. however, those who are uninsured or underinsured, such as Medicare beneficiaries, must purchase a separate policy.
Our guide on how to get dental insurance with medicare can help you with this process.
You can also buy a stand-alone policy directly from the insurance company or through a marketplace. dental plans sold on healthcare.gov must meet criteria established by the Affordable Care Act, which include offering coverage for pediatric dentistry, emergency services, and prescription drugs.
Follow these guidelines to choose the right dental insurance provider:
identify your dental needs.
A young adult with healthy teeth has very different dental care needs than a child with a malocclusion or an older adult with cavities or gum disease. We recommend writing down your and your family’s dental care needs to make it easier to find providers who cover these procedures.
A general rule of thumb is to look for plans that cover 100/80/50: 100% preventive coverage, 80% basic work, and 50% major work. however, it is important to see what is included in each percentage. A policy that covers 50% of major work but excludes implants may be worthless if your main concern is missing teeth.
review the different types of dental plans
We review common dental plans in our dental plan types section. review each one to see which one is a better fit in terms of coverage benefits, plan options, and cost.
see what plans are available in your state
Providers do not offer the same dental plans for all states. For example, Delta Dental offers five dental plans nationwide, but our sample quotes for California, New York, and Miami returned only three options.
compare cost vs value
In addition to premium rates, deductibles, coinsurance, and annual limits, they all factor in the total cost of dental care. Sometimes patients pay too much for dental insurance and get minimal coverage in return, especially for preventive and basic services.
To make sure the plan is worth it, estimate the cost of the insurance and compare it to the benefits of the coverage and an estimate of your annual dental expenses.
verify providers with regulatory agencies
verify the companies of your choice (and their subsidiaries, if applicable) with state regulatory agencies. You can also search for any licensed insurance provider with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which records and analyzes consumer complaint data from across the country.
how we chose the best dental insurance plans for 2022
To rank the best dental insurance plans for 2022, we evaluated:
roundup of the best cheap dental insurance plans of 2022
