Anthem Essential Choice PPO Platinum is the best dental insurance plan of 2024, based on our in-depth analysis of rates and coverage. While this dental plan is one of the more expensive in our rating, it gets top marks for its high coverage levels and annual maximum coverage limit.
Best dental insurance plans of 2024
- Anthem: Best dental insurance.
- Guardian: Best dental insurance for dentures.
- Ameritas: Best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare.
- Cigna: Best dental insurance for orthodontics.
- Humana: Best cheap dental insurance.
- Spirit Dental: Best dental insurance for preventive care.
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Ad
Our Partner
Ameritas
Top scoring plan
PrimeStar Complete
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
130,000+ dentists
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
PrimeStar Complete
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
130,000+ dentists
Why trust our dental insurance experts
Our team of dental insurance 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 do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 28 dental insurance plans evaluated.
- 588 data points analyzed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Best dental insurance of 2024
Best dental insurance
Anthem
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
Essential Choice PPO Platinum
Annual Deductible
$50 per person, up to $150 per family
Dental network
136,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
The Anthem Essential Choice PPO Platinum plan is the best dental insurance of 2024. It provides 100% coverage for preventive care as soon as your plan starts and 80% coverage for basic care after a three-month waiting period.
Although there’s a six-month waiting period for major dental work, like crowns, root canals, implants and oral surgery, you’ll only pay 50% coinsurance after meeting your deductible. Crown, denture and bridge repair and adjustments are also covered at 50%.
Anthem has one of the largest networks of dentists nationwide. It is one of the few dental insurance companies that doesn’t have a higher coinsurance percentage if you go out-of-network. But there is a significant discount if you stay in-network.
If you don’t meet your $2,000 per-person annual maximum, you can carry over some of the unused portion into the following plan year.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 100% coverage for preventive care with no waiting period.
- 80% coverage for basic services like fillings.
- 50% coverage for teeth whitening.
- Dependent children coverage for orthodontics and braces through age 18 ($1,000 lifetime benefit).
Cons
- Only available in 14 states.
- Top-scoring plan is more expensive than others in our rating.
- Three-month waiting period for basic services like fillings and extractions.
- Six-month waiting period for crowns, dentures, implants and deep cleaning.
- 12-month waiting period on dependent child orthodontic services.
State availability
Anthem’s standalone individual and family plans are only available in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Best dental insurance for dentures
Guardian
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
Diamond
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
120,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
Guardian’s Diamond plan is the best dental insurance for dentures. Although there’s a lifetime maximum of $1,000 for dental implants, you can use the full $1,500 annual maximum to help pay for your dentures. There’s no waiting period for preventive and basic care, which includes oral exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings and simple extractions.
Guardian has a vast network of more than 120,000 dentists. The Guardian Diamond dental insurance plan offers 50% coverage for dentures and implants after a 12-month waiting period.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 100% coverage for preventive care with no waiting period.
- 80% coverage for basic care with no waiting period.
- 50% coverage for major dental work and dependent child orthodontia.
- 50% coverage for teeth whitening after a six-month waiting period.
Cons
- Slightly higher premiums than competitors.
- 12-month waiting period on dentures and implants.
- $1,000 lifetime maximum on orthodontia and dental implants.
State availability
Guardian dental insurance is available in all states except Alaska, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming.
Best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare
Ameritas
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
PrimeStar Complete
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
130,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
The Ameritas PrimeStar Complete dental plan is available for people of all ages, but it may be particularly interesting to seniors on Medicare.
With this dental plan, you also get benefits for hearing exams and hearing aids. Depending on your Medicare plan, you may have to pay for a hearing exam, so this coverage can help. Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, so you’d be out of pocket for the total cost without extra insurance. The PrimeStar Complete plan offers a $75 hearing benefit. It will cover up to $200 for hearing aids from the start of the policy. Benefits increase to $300 in year two and $400 in year three.
Ameritas PrimeStar Complete is also the best dental insurance with no waiting period.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No waiting periods — coverage from day one.
- $3,000 benefit maximum after the first year (a $500 increase).
- Low $50 per person annual deductible.
- Hearing exam and hearing aids benefits for members of all ages.
- Hearing benefit is separate from dental benefit maximum.
Cons
- No teeth whitening coverage with PrimeStar Complete.
- No child orthodontics benefit with PrimeStar Complete (Boost plan has it).
State availability
Plan availability varies by state. The only state without any Ameritas dental plans available is Massachusetts.
Best dental insurance for orthodontics
Cigna
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
Cigna Dental 1500
Dental network
89,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
Cigna Dental 1500 is the best dental insurance for orthodontics. Most dental insurance plans only cover orthodontics for children up to age 18 or 19, but the Cigna Dental 1500 plan doesn’t have an age limit. You can use the $1,000 orthodontia lifetime maximum to cover 50% of your in-network costs after a $50 lifetime deductible. But note that there is a 12-month waiting period for orthodontics.
Preventive care and diagnostics are covered in-network 100% and with no waiting period, while basic services like fillings, extractions and emergency treatment are covered in-network at 80% after a six-month waiting period.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No age limit on orthodontia and braces.
- Low premiums compared to competitors.
- 100% in-network coverage for preventive care with no waiting period.
Cons
- 12-month waiting period on major services and orthodontics.
- $1,000 lifetime maximum on orthodontia.
- You pay the difference on billed charges plus coinsurance for out-of-network care.
State availability
Cigna Dental Preventive 1000 and 1500 plans are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Best cheap dental insurance
Humana
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
Preventive Value
Lifetime Deductible
$50 individual, $150 family
Dental network
325,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
The Humana Preventive Value plan is the cheapest dental insurance option in our rating. There are no waiting periods to keep track of or an annual maximum to worry about hitting early in the year. And there’s one lifetime deductible to meet, from $50 as an individual to $150 for a family of three or more.
The Preventive Value policy covers preventive services at 100% for in-network and 80% for out-of-network providers. For basic care, like fillings, extractions and emergency pain relief care, Humana will cover 50% of expenses in-network or 30% out-of-network.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No annual maximum limit for covered services.
- Cheap monthly premium compared to competitors.
- Low lifetime deductible to meet.
- In-network discounts average 28%.
Cons
- Only covers preventive and basic care.
- No coverage for major care, dentures, implants, orthodontics or teeth whitening.
State availability
The Humana Preventive Value plan is available to residents of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
Best dental insurance for preventive care
Spirit Dental
Blueprint Rating
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
Spirit Core PPO
Lifetime Deductible
$100
Dental network
Uses the Ameritas network of 130,000+ dentists
Why it’s the best
Spirit Dental covers preventive, basic and major dental services with no waiting period, so you can start using your benefits on the first day of your plan. Preventive services are covered with the Core PPO plan at 100% and include two exams and three cleanings per year, making it the best dental insurance for preventive care.
The Spirit Core PPO plan offers up to $1,200 annually after a $100 lifetime deductible. Your coinsurance amount for major services is 75% in the first year and 50% each year after that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No waiting periods for any covered dental care.
- 100% preventive care coverage with Core PPO, including 2 exams and 3 cleanings per year.
- $1,200 lifetime maximum for orthodontics for each child under 19 with Core PPO.
- Below-average premiums for Spirit Core PPO.
Cons
- Fillings and simple extractions fall under major care, while competitors classify as basic care.
- Only 25% of major care is covered in the first year.
State availability
Spirit dental insurance is available in all states except Massachusetts and Washington.
Compare the best dental insurance quotes
| DENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY | TOP-SCORING DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN | MONTHLY DENTAL INSURANCE PREMIUM | OUR RATING | LEARN MORE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Choice PPO Platinum | $60 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Diamond | $58 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| PrimeStar Complete | $69 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Cigna Dental 1500 | $47 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Preventive Value | $22 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Spirit Core PPO | $46 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Primary Dental | $31 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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| Ridge Plan 750/1500/2000/2500 | $61 | Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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Monthly dental insurance premiums are based on a 30-year-old female in California. Your rates may differ.
Methodology
To find the best dental insurance we scored 28 stand-alone dental plans. Only the top-scoring plans from each company are shown. Benefit details can vary by state, so check the plan brochure for details. Ratings are based on the following criteria.
- Cost: 40 points. We compared monthly rates for a 30-year-old female in California. When California wasn’t available we used Texas.
- Annual maximum insurance payout: 10 points.
- Basic care payout level: 10 points.
- Major care coverage in the first year: 10 points.
- Coverage for implants: 10 points.
- Coverage for orthodontia: 10 points.
- No waiting period for preventive care: 5 points.
- Basic care waiting period: 5 points.
What is the best insurance to have for dental?
Anthem and Guardian sell the best dental insurance based on our analysis of cost and coverage. The best dental insurance for you will depend on your overall dental health, future dental needs and how much you’re willing to pay for dental care.
Seniors have a much greater risk of gum disease, so older shoppers should look for dental plans covering periodontics, said Dr. Arun Narang, CEO at Dr. Arun Narang & Associates Smile by Design. Older adults should also consider dental coverage for major procedures involving appliances like bridges, dentures and partials.
Expert tip: Orthodontic benefits for children is something to consider if you need family coverage, according to Dr. Narang.
Types of dental insurance plans
- HMO: A dental health maintenance organization (HMO) policy only covers services you receive from an in-network dentist. You get low-cost premiums and flat coinsurance fees in exchange for staying in the network. Some plans don’t have waiting periods or annual maximums for covered dental services.
- PPO: A preferred provider organization (PPO) plan allows you to go out-of-network, though you’ll pay less if you stay in the network. You’re also typically subject to annual coverage maximums and waiting periods, which can vary by service type.
- Fee-for-service: Also called indemnity plans, these allow you to see any dentist you want. The plan will cover a percentage of your dental care while you pay the rest.
- Dental discount plans: Rather than have an insurance company dental plan, you get a discount on services at participating dentists.
Expert tip: “If [you] are generally healthy, sometimes joining a dental practice’s wellness plan or just paying for the hygiene visit will serve you better than getting a traditional dental insurance plan,” said Dr. Dee Dee Meevasin, owner of Dee for Dentist.
Best dental insurance company for major work
Major dental work can be expensive, and coverage from the top dental insurance companies can vary. The best dental insurance for major work depends on the type of procedure you need, how much you want to pay and how soon you need the work done.
- Anthem’s Platinum PPO covers crowns, root canals and dentures at 50% after a six-month waiting period and a $50 per-person deductible. The plan also has a generous $2,000 annual maximum.
- Ameritas PrimeStar Complete dental plan may be the best fit if you need major work done sooner than later. There are no waiting periods, and you’ll have $2,500 in coverage from day one, though you’ll pay higher coinsurance in the first year.
- Cigna Dental 1500 plan is an excellent choice if you need braces, especially as an adult, because it has no age limit for orthodontia. It will cover 50% of in-network costs up to $1,000.
- Spirit Dental’s Core Network plan will cover up to $1,200 for children’s orthodontics but only pays 10% in the first year and 25% in the second year.
How much does dental insurance cost?
The average cost of a dental insurance policy with comprehensive coverage is $49 per month, according to our analysis. A preventive care dental insurance plan costs an average of $24 per month.
How much you pay for dental insurance can depend on factors such as:
- Your age.
- Your gender.
- Your state.
- Whether you’re insuring just yourself or your entire family.
- Policy type you choose (HMOs are cheaper than PPOs).
- Plan you choose (policies with less coverage will be cheaper per month).
- Coinsurance amount.
- Deductible.
- Policy’s annual maximum.
What does dental insurance cover?
Although dental coverage can vary by insurance provider, there are four main categories dental procedures and services usually fall under.
- Preventive and routine care: Dental exams, teeth cleanings, dental X-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments.
- Basic dental care: Fillings and simple extractions.
- Major dental care: Crowns, inlays, oral surgery, complex extractions, root canals, periodontics and bridges.
- Other services: Dentures, orthodontia and dental implants may be listed as major services or separate categories.
Concerned about the cost of implants? How to get dental implants covered by insurance
Some dental insurance providers offer a comprehensive plan that includes other benefits, like vision or hearing. The Ameritas Complete plan, for instance, offers a hearing exam benefit with some coverage for hearing aids. But usually for these benefits, you’d need to add a vision plan or hearing plan to your dental plan for an additional cost, or purchase them as stand-alone policies.
What does dental insurance not cover?
Not everything will be covered by your dental insurance. Exclusions vary by plan but often include:
- Adult orthodontia. Children may have coverage for orthodontics, such as braces, but there is typically a lifetime coverage maximum of $1,000.
- Cosmetic dentistry services, like veneers and dental bonding.
- Teeth whitening, though some plans include coverage after a waiting period.
What to look for in a dental insurance plan
There are several things to look for when searching for a dental insurance plan. If you have excellent oral health, you likely have different dental needs than someone with severe dental issues.
Check for waiting periods
Although most dental plans don’t have a waiting period for preventive and basic care, there is usually at least a six-month waiting period for major care.
Expert tip: If you previously had dental insurance through your employer, some insurers will waive certain waiting periods, according to Dr. Cary Sun, Cigna’s chief dental officer.
Is your dentist in-network?
If you like your current dentist, ask them which dental insurance plans they accept. You won’t have coverage for out-of-network dentists with an HMO, and you’ll pay more if you go out-of-network with a PPO plan. Choosing an in-network dentist can help you save on dental care.
Compare out-of-pocket costs vs. premiums
Consider the out-of-pocket costs compared to the monthly premiums. While some plans have inexpensive premiums, you’ll pay higher coinsurance when you use the coverage. Depending on the type of dental work you need, you could save more on out-of-pocket expenses if you choose a more comprehensive plan with higher monthly premiums.
And don’t forget to check the maximum amount the plan will pay. Most plans have an annual maximum that the insurance company will pay. But some have a lifetime maximum. So, if the policy has a $2,000 lifetime maximum, that’s the most the insurer will pay over the life of the policy.
Also keep an eye out for lifetime maximums for certain benefits, such as $1,000 for a child’s orthodontia.
Look for graded benefits
Some dental insurance plans have graded benefits, meaning you’ll pay higher coinsurance in the first year than in later years. The coinsurance is the percentage of care you pay compared to how much the insurance company pays. Consider buying a plan that pays the highest coinsurance amount from day one.
Ways to buy dental insurance
There are several ways to buy dental insurance.
- Direct from the insurance company: Many insurance companies offer stand-alone dental insurance plans, including all of the top-scoring plans in our analysis. Comparing dental plans can help you find the coverage you need at affordable prices.
- In the health insurance marketplace: The Healthcare.gov marketplace offers stand-alone dental plans in addition to health insurance policies.
- Through your employer: Many employers offer dental insurance as part of the employee benefits package. Group dental insurance is usually the cheapest option, though you’re limited to the company and plans your employer offers.
Dental insurance coverage gaps
Dental insurance plays an important role in your overall health, but an estimated 68.5 million adults in America don’t have dental insurance, according to the 2023 State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey, conducted by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
USA TODAY Blueprint may earn a commission from this advertiser.
Ad
Our Partner
Ameritas
Top scoring plan
PrimeStar Complete
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
130,000+ dentists
Via Healthcare Marketplace's website
Top scoring plan
PrimeStar Complete
Annual Deductible
$50 per person
Dental network
130,000+ dentists
Best dental insurance FAQs
Dental insurance is not included in a health insurance plan, but you can buy stand-alone dental insurance to cover your dental needs. If you don’t have dental insurance through work, you can find a broad range of plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace or from the insurance company directly. You can find the best cheap dental insurance by comparing plans online.
Whether dental insurance is worth it depends on your dental needs and procedure costs at your preferred dental office. Insurance coverage can make dental treatment more affordable for some. Comparing the cost of dental care to dental insurance rates and your out-of-pocket costs can help you determine whether the cost of a dental policy is worth it to you.
Choosing an HMO or PPO for dental care depends on whether your preferred dentist is in the provider’s network. A dental HMO has cheaper premiums, but you must use an in-network dentist. A dental PPO offers more freedom with the ability to choose an out-of-network dentist, but you’ll pay higher premiums.
According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), the most popular types of dental insurance coverage are preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. PPO dental insurance policies offer the flexibility of using an out-of-network dentist but come at a higher cost than an HMO. Dentists agree on a contracted price per procedure and agree not to balance bill you for the difference if their actual fees are higher.
Dental insurance sometimes includes coverage for teeth whitening, though the amount varies by plan. These two top-scoring dental insurance plans cover teeth whitening:
- Anthem Essential Choice PPO Platinum: Covers teeth whitening at 50% after a three-month waiting period.
- Guardian Direct Diamond: Covers teeth whitening at 50% after a six-month waiting period.
