Taking care of oral health may be important for your overall well-being. Here’s what to know about finding an insurance plan to do it.

1. What is dental insurance?
2. How does dental insurance work?
3. What does dental insurance cover?
4. What doesn’t dental insurance cover?
5. How much does dental insurance cost?
6. What does dental insurance look like for older adults?
7. Can you buy dental insurance without health insurance?
8. Do you need to add dental insurance to an Affordable Care Act plan?
9. Can you buy dental plans combined with other health plans?
10. Is dental insurance worth it?

If you have a traditional health insurance plan, you may know the benefits that it comes with. Your plan will likely cover preventive care, like regular checkups and routine screenings, among other things. You may also only have to pay a copay, such as $20, to see your doctor.

But a traditional health insurance plan may not cover all of the procedures you may need. And dental health is an important part of overall health.

A dentist may be able to find health issues in their early stages just by looking in your mouth and checking your teeth. That could not only keep you healthier in the long run, but also save you money.

So how do you get dental insurance? Why does it matter, and how much may it cost? Below, find the answers to those questions — and a lot more.

Does your health insurance include dental benefits? A stand-alone dental plan can be a good option if it doesn’t. Learn more today.

What is dental insurance?

Dental insurance is a form of supplemental healthcare coverage that helps reduce the cost of dental care. (There is a monthly premium for supplemental insurance that is not included in what you’d pay for your primary health insurance.) It typically covers a range of services like:

• Preventive care
• Basic services
• Major services

(We’ll go into greater detail on what those things are below.)

The goal of dental insurance is to help you manage the cost of dental care and make it more accessible. It encourages you to:

• Book regular dental visits with your dental hygienist or dentist. Teeth cleanings may help prevent health issues like gum disease, which has been linked to cancer and heart disease.
• Get routine care and maintain the health of your mouth and teeth.
• Help prevent more serious and costly issues down the line.

It also can help you save money on potential dental work that could cost you a lot more if you don’t have insurance.

How does dental insurance work?

Dental insurance works by sharing the cost of dental care between you and your insurance company. This is done through your:

• Premium: This is the amount you pay monthly or annually to have the dental insurance plan. That’s your monthly dental insurance bill. It could increase depending on how much coverage you need.
• Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance starts to pay for covered dental services. That could be something like $100 for an entire year.
• Copayment (copay): This is a fixed amount you pay for a dental service at the time of the visit. For example, you might pay a $20 copay on the day of your visit.
• Coinsurance: Unlike a copay, coinsurance is a percentage of the total cost that you pay for a dental service after meeting your deductible. An example could be that you’re responsible for paying 20% of a covered dental service, while the insurance company pays the other 80%.
• Annual limit: This is the maximum amount an insurance plan will pay in one year for your dental care. You’ll need to pay for costs above this amount out of pocket. The maximum amount might be something like $1,500. So, after reaching that, you’d have to pay the rest yourself.
• In-network and out-of-network coverage: Dentists and dental clinics who are “in-network” have agreed to contracted rates with the insurance company. Providers who are out-of-network don’t have such an agreement. That may mean you’ll have to pay more for dental care.
• Reimbursements: Some dental plans may allow you to pay up front for services and then submit a claim to be reimbursed by your insurance company.
• Waiting periods: For some dental insurance plans, you may have to wait a certain number of months — often 4 to 12 months — before you can receive full coverage for certain dental procedures.

What does dental insurance cover?

Dental insurance plans typically cover 3 categories of services:

• Preventive care: This includes services like routine checkups, teeth cleanings and X-rays. They’re typically covered 100% by your plan.
• Basic services: These can include simple fillings and tooth extractions, or emergency treatment for dental pain. Your insurance may cover a portion of these costs. You might have to meet a deductible or pay coinsurance to get them done.
• Major services: This would be for things like crowns, root canals, oral surgery and bridges. You’ll find that coverage varies by plan. Major services may also be subject to your plan’s deductible, coinsurance and waiting periods. If you have any of these in your future, it’ll be important to review the plan’s brochure before buying it — and budgeting for potential out-of-pocket costs.

What doesn’t dental insurance cover?

Dental insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures such as:

• Teeth whitening
• Veneers (these conceal imperfections on your teeth, like cracks, chips and gaps)
• Cosmetic orthodontics (this focuses on improving the alignment of teeth, fixing gaps or crowding, with something like braces)

Certain plans may cover things like braces and dental implants, so it’s worthwhile checking the plan’s brochure or reviewing what’s covered by the plan online. Keep in mind that some plans may limit orthodontia to insured people under a certain age. These procedures typically have waiting periods before the plan will pay benefits. Dental implants may also have a lifetime maximum that is separate from and not subject to the annual covered benefit maximum.

Get this: Fillings and root canals might not mean major dental bills. Learn how dental insurance can help cover you.

How much does dental insurance cost?

The cost of dental insurance varies depending on the type of plan you have. It’ll also vary depending on the level of coverage you get and other factors, like where you live.

Some plans may have low monthly premiums with basic coverage. Others may have higher premiums for extensive coverage.

What does dental insurance look like for older adults?

Dental coverage may look a little different for older adults. For example, people who are 65 and older who are on the government-run health care system, Medicare, typically don’t get dental coverage. (Exceptions do exist, if a doctor deems dental work medically necessary.)

One popular option, depending on which state you live in, could be a Dental Vision Hearing (DVH) plan, which helps fit the coverage needs of Medicare Supplement customers and spouses.

Costs may vary on plans, so it’s a good idea to review the DVH plan’s brochure before purchasing it.

Can you buy dental insurance without health insurance?

Yes. Dental insurance is often available as a stand-alone plan. That means you don’t need to be enrolled in a health insurance plan to purchase dental coverage.

But it’s important to have a traditional health insurance plan, too, to cover the rest of your body.

Do you need to add dental insurance to an Affordable Care Act plan?

It depends on your preference — and your age. If you buy Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, dental coverage is considered an essential health benefit for children 18 and under.

So dental insurance must be available to children 18 and under as part of a health plan or separate dental plan.

But dental coverage isn’t considered an essential health benefit for adults and Health Insurance Marketplace plans don’t have to offer it. So if you want it, you’ll likely need to purchase a stand-alone dental plan.

You don’t have to buy dental plans through the Marketplace. In fact, you can buy a range of plans directly from an insurance company.

Can you buy dental plans combined with other health plans?

Yes. You may choose to buy a dental plan that’s paired with another plan, like vision insurance. That could be particularly valuable if you don’t get dental or vision insurance through your employer’s plan. Some additional benefits include:

• Plans may not have maximum age limits, and in some cases, you may use your benefits right away.
• Plans may not have waiting periods or deductibles for preventive dental care and eye exams.
• You can keep up with regular dental checkups and eye exams.
• It can help if you’re changing jobs, and your new job’s insurance hasn’t kicked in yet.

Is dental insurance worth it?

Since your oral health is part of your overall health, it’s important to see a dentist regularly. Plus, dentists can catch a dental or health issue in its early stages.

That could end up keeping you healthier and saving you a lot of money in the long run. That’s a lot to smile about.

Big bills don’t have to get in the way of your dental health. Here’s how a supplemental dental plan can help keep costs down. Call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic. “Cosmetic Dentistry.” Reviewed November 6, 2024. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23914-cosmetic-dentistry

Harvard Health Publishing. “Gum Disease and the Connection to Heart Disease.” October 8, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease

HealthCare.gov. “Health Benefits and Coverage: Dental Coverage in the Marketplace.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/dental-coverage/ Accessed November 26, 2024.

National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). “Understanding Dental Benefits.” Retrieved from https://www.nadp.org/about-dental-plans-care/understanding-dental-benefits/. Accessed January 21, 2025.

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51919-X-0125