Dental insurance reduces financial risk from dental procedures and encourages preventive care. Choose between individual or family coverage based on who needs care. Employer/group plans often offer lower premiums. Common plan types include PPOs, DHMOs, fee-for-service plans, and dental discount programs. Review preventive coverage, waiting periods, annual maximums, and network rules before enrolling. Medicaid/CHIP provide dental benefits for many children; original Medicare usually does not cover routine dental care.
Why dental coverage still matters
Routine dental care can be affordable when you visit regularly, but unexpected treatments - deep fillings, root canals, crowns - can be expensive. Dental insurance helps spread those costs, reduces out-of-pocket surprise bills, and often encourages preventive visits that catch problems early.
Individual vs. family plans
If you're deciding between an individual policy and a family plan, think about who will use the coverage. Family plans bundle everyone on one policy and often simplify billing and claims. They can be cost-effective when multiple household members need care.
By contrast, individual plans may be cheaper if only one person needs coverage or if dependents already have good coverage elsewhere. Compare premiums, deductibles, annual maximums, and covered services before choosing.
Employer and group dental plans
Many employers offer group dental plans as part of their benefits package. Group plans often have lower premiums because risk is pooled across many employees, and they can include employer contributions. If your employer offers a plan, weigh it against private options: check provider networks, covered services, and out-of-pocket costs.
Types of dental coverage today
- PPO and DHMO (managed care) plans are the most common. PPOs let you see out-of-network dentists at higher cost; DHMOs require you to use a network and typically cost less.
- Fee-for-service or indemnity plans exist but are less common than PPO/DHMO models.
- Dental discount or savings plans are not insurance. For an annual fee, they give discounted rates at participating providers but do not pay claims.
What is usually covered - and what isn't
Most plans prioritize preventive services (cleanings, exams, X-rays) and often cover them at little or no cost when you use in-network providers. Basic restorative care (fillings, simple extractions) and major procedures (crowns, root canals, prosthodontics) may have different coverage levels, waiting periods, or separate deductibles. Orthodontic coverage frequently requires a specific rider and may not be included for adults.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide dental benefits for eligible children in many states. Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, though some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental dental benefits.
How to choose
Compare premiums, deductibles, annual maximums, waiting periods, in-network providers, and exclusions. If you have children or expect major work, a family plan or a plan with broad major-procedure coverage may make sense. If most needs are preventive, a high-value preventive plan or a discount plan could be enough.
Read plan documents and ask the insurer what is covered, what requires preauthorization, and which dentists are in-network before you enroll.