Too many people lack dental insurance because they assume it’s as expensive as health insurance. The truth is that dental insurance typically costs much less than medical coverage and there are some options that are very affordable even for people with modest incomes. This article will provide you with:
Buying the cheapest dental insurance plan can help you manage oral health costs, but lower premiums can come with trade-offs. Some, but not all, low cost dental insurance options reduce monthly payments by limiting covered services, adding waiting periods, and narrowing dentist networks.
Before discussing what factors you should consider when shopping for the cheapest dental insurance, it is important to understand the three principal categories of dental services:
Most affordable dental insurance and individual dental plans prioritize preventive care and cover annual:
Preventive care is essential for minimizing dental costs over a lifetime by catching issues early. Dental problems left untreated can eventually harm your health as well as cost much more to treat.
The vast majority of dental plans cover basic services. However, basic services often require copayments or coinsurance fees, whether the dental insurance is expensive or low cost. Consequently, it is important to review the out-of-pocket costs associated with basic services.
Some dental plans do not cover major services, or they cover a subset of major services such as a crown but not an implant. Always review the details of a dental plan to confirm what major services are covered under the insurance.
Before enrolling in a dental plan, make certain the services it covers matches your oral health needs. Since dental benefits are not standardized, it is always a good idea to review the specific services covered within a dental plan’s Summary of Benefits or plan brochure. Before enrolling in any individual dental plan (i.e. a dental plan sold to individual consumers as opposed to a group plan sold to a company with many employees), confirm that its covered services align with your oral health needs.
Some dental plans delay access to services for 6–12 months through waiting periods. A waiting period begins once the coverage becomes active for the person who bought it. During a waiting period, an insurance plan will not pay for a covered service. If a dental plan you’re considering has waiting periods, it will list them, to what services they apply, and how long they will last. Be certain that you can accept a delay in coverage on the services for which there is a waiting period.
Many, but not all, very low cost dental insurance options are HMOs or dental discount programs with limited dentist networks. As healthcare research Kev Coleman has noted, dental insurance is only as good as the dentists who accept it. Consequently, the cheapest dental plan is not a bargain if you don’t have access to a quality dentist.
Another significant consideration on inexpensive dental plans is the maximum benefit. The is the yearly cap an insurer will pay toward services covered under the terms of your dental insurance policy. Cheap PPO dental plans are more likely to have a low maximum benefit (e.g. $500-$1,000 annually), though an inexpensive dental HMO (DHMO) plan typically is likely to have no maximum benefit limitations.
When shopping for a cheap dental plan, don’t focus solely on the monthly premium. A premium is the monthly payment made in exchange for coverage. While a low premium makes a plan appear less expensive, out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance fees can significantly affect total spending and far exceed the savings on a lower monthly premium.
If you expect to use multiple dental services in the coming year, calculate each plan’s total annual costs (which combines all premiums with expected out-of-pocket costs).
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Below are five low cost dental insurance and dental savings options that typically cost less than $25 per month for an individual. Availability varies by state.
For $13 a month (or less), enrollees in MetLife’s TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 245 (High) have coverage for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Cheap dental insurance coverage does not equal skimpy benefits with respect to this plan. Covered major care includes root canals, crowns, dentures, and periodontal scaling and root planing.
Two teeth cleanings per year are covered 100% with no out-of-pocket costs for in-network dentists and the annual deductible is $0. The plan also pays 100% of the cost for amalgam fillings. A copay of $25 is charged for resin-based composite fillings (white fillings).
The MetLife brand is a household name and is known for insurance services ranging from life and vision insurance to pet insurance. This particular plan is available through DentalInsurance.com in select states:
One of the most budget-friendly options, this plan charges about $13 a month in most areas.
The Careington plan is not traditional dental insurance. Instead, the plan is a membership-based savings program where the enrollee has unlimited use of participating dentists and these dentists discount their service rates from 20 percent to 60 percent off of their regular market prices. Unlike many traditional insurance plans, preventive care such as annual exams and cleanings come with out-of-pocket costs. However, the Careington plan has no maximum benefit that limits annual savings.
DentalInsurance.com offers this discount program in 43 states plus Washington D.C.
Another strong contender for best affordable dental insurance, this PPO plan typically costs around $20-$25 per month. The Guardian Direct Advantage Starter 2.0 PPO is another PPO option for consumers who don’t like the restrictive dentist networks of HMOs and dental discount cards.
The plans has a $50 per enrollee deductible and preventive care is covered immediately. Basic dental care like a filling or tooth extraction is available after 6 months of continuous plan membership.
DentalInsurance.com has the Guardian Advantage Starter 2.0 PPO available in 40 states.
While they may be more famous for their Medicare health insurance plans, Humana offers the extremely affordable dental coverage in the Humana Bright Plus PPO plan. Covering a single person around $26 a month, this plan covers preventive and basic dental care. The plan’s $50 deductible is waived for in-network preventive care. The plan also covers 60 percent of the cost of services such as white fillings and teeth extractions.
DentalInsurance.com has this product available in over two thirds of the U.S.
For those seeking flexibility, this PPO option costs around $25 per month in many areas and offers broad provider access. The Essential Choice Bronze includes basic dental coverage, but no major coverage for procedures like crowns and root canals.
DentalInsurance.com offers Essential Choice Bronze plans in 14 different states.
Finding the cheapest dental insurance plan that still meets your needs depends on your oral health, preferred dentist, and procedures expected for the coming plan year. When shopping for low cost dental insurance, you should do the following for all the plans you are comparing:
By looking beyond the premium, you can secure affordable dental care that truly protects both your oral health and your budget.
Below is an overview of costs associated with each of the five dental plans reviewed in this article. All out-of-pocket costs assume in-network healthcare providers.
Interested in these plans? See which ones are available in your region by visiting our dental insurance quote page.
Our knowledgeable customer service team will assist you with any questions you may have prior to enrolling in a dental plan. They can guide you through the process of choosing coverage that matches your needs as well as your budget.
