Most common
Dental PPO
See any licensed dentist and pay less when you stay in network. No referral is needed for a specialist, and out-of-network care is usually still covered at a lower level.
See plansDental coverage
Protect your smile.
Standalone dental plans for individuals and families, with coverage for the cleanings that prevent problems and the bigger work you hope to avoid.
Plan types
Four ways dental coverage is structured.
The differences come down to which dentists you can see and how the plan pays. Start with the trade-off that matters most to you.
Lower premium
Dental HMO
Choose a primary dentist from a set network and pay fixed copays for covered services. Premiums are typically lower, but care outside the network is generally not covered.
See plansWidest choice
Indemnity
Also called fee-for-service. You can visit any dentist and the plan pays a share of the cost, often after a deductible. You may need to submit a claim yourself.
See plansNot insurance
Discount dental plans
A membership that gives you reduced rates at participating dentists. There is no deductible and no annual maximum because the plan pays nothing: you pay the discounted fee.
See plansWhat is covered
From routine cleanings to major work.
Exact benefits, limits, and waiting periods vary by plan. These are the services dental plans commonly address.
- Routine exams and cleanings
- Bitewing and full-mouth X-rays
- Fluoride treatments and sealants, often for children
- Fillings and simple extractions
- Root canals and periodontal treatment
- Crowns, bridges, and dentures
- Oral surgery, including many complex extractions
- Orthodontia on plans that include it, often for children
Who is covered
Individual versus family dental plans.
An individual plan is straightforward: one person, one premium. A family plan covers several people under one policy and is usually cheaper than separate plans once you add a second or third person, but the way deductibles and annual maximums are counted changes. Read how the plan applies each limit before you assume a family plan is the better value, and remember that children have a right to pediatric dental coverage through the health insurance marketplace.
- Individual plans cover one person and are priced for one set of visits
- Family plans add a spouse, partner, or children under one policy
- Family plans may apply the deductible per person, per family, or both
- Annual maximums may be per person even on a family plan
- Pediatric dental is an essential health benefit on marketplace coverage
Good to know
Dental questions people ask first.
Do I need a separate dental plan if I already have health insurance?
Usually yes. Most health plans for adults do not include routine dental care, so adult dental coverage is normally bought as a standalone plan. Marketplace plans must offer pediatric dental as an essential health benefit, either built into the health plan or through a separate dental plan, but adult dental is not required.
What do dental plans typically cover?
Most plans group services into three levels: preventive care such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, basic care such as fillings and simple extractions, and major care such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. Plans commonly cover preventive care at the highest level and major care at the lowest. Orthodontia is often a separate benefit and may be limited to children.
How do waiting periods and annual maximums work?
A waiting period is the time you must be enrolled before certain services are covered, most often basic and major care. An annual maximum is the most the plan will pay toward your care in a plan year. Once you reach it, you pay the full cost of further care until the year resets. Both vary by plan, so check the plan documents before you enroll.
Can I keep my dentist?
It depends on the plan type. PPO and indemnity plans let you see any licensed dentist, though you save more in network. HMO plans require you to use a dentist in the plan network. Confirm your dentist participates before you enroll.
When can I enroll in a dental plan?
Standalone dental plans are often available year-round rather than only during Open Enrollment. Dental coverage bought alongside a marketplace health plan follows the marketplace enrollment periods. Coverage start dates and any waiting periods depend on the plan you choose.
Ready when you are
See dental plans available in your area.
Enter your ZIP code to compare standalone dental coverage for you or your family.