Dental Insurance

Dental insurance works by helping to cover the cost of preventive care like cleanings and X-rays, as well as a portion of expenses for basic and major dental procedures. You typically pay a monthly premium, and the plan may include deductibles, copayments, or annual maximums.

There are several types of dental insurance plans, including:

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans: Offer flexibility to see any dentist, but you can save more when using dentists within your plan’s network
• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans: Plans with lower premiums and more limited provider networks that typically require you to choose a primary dentist and get referrals for specialists
• EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans: Only cover services from in-network dentists, but usually don’t require referrals for specialists
• POS (Point of Service) plans: Combine features of PPO and HMO plans, allowing you to go out-of-network at higher costs while still requiring a primary dentist for coordination
• Dental discount plans: Not insurance, but membership programs that provide discounted rates on dental services through participating providers

While dental insurance isn't required, it's often a good idea. This is particularly true if you don't have the cash to pay for various dental treatments up front. Without a policy, you may forgo oral health care and face serious and costly dental issues in the future. Having dental insurance can incentivize you to be proactive in keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy.

Dental insurance costs can vary depending on the type of plan and the level of coverage you choose, but these plans typically come with affordable premiums. That being said, choosing to buy dental insurance can help you reduce long-term associated costs. In addition to premiums, you may have to pay for copays, deductibles and any treatment that goes over annual coverage maximums.

Not all plans are created equally. Our dental insurance plan offers several levels of coverage to fit most oral care needs and budgets. To select the right plan, shop around to see what options you have to buy dental insurance online. We recommend assessing your unique dental needs and coverage preferences. You should also consider your budget and how much you can afford to help cover dental care out-of-pocket costs.

In general, preventive care like cleanings and x-rays are fully covered by dental insurance plans with no waiting period, and other, more complex treatments such as root canals and implants are covered at a percentage after the waiting period has expired.

Depending on the individual dental insurance plan you choose and the treatments you need, you might have to pay a deductible before receiving coverage. Our dental plans offer building benefits that increase the annual maximums and the coverage level over time for certain benefits. Our building benefit also decreases the annual deductible over time.

The best dental insurance plan depends on your needs, budget, and the types of dental services you expect to use. Consider factors like monthly premiums, coverage for preventive care, and whether you may need major procedures in the future. Aflac offers dental insurance plans with a variety of coverage levels, including full coverage.

Some dental insurance plans include waiting periods for certain services, such as fillings and crowns. However, many plans offer immediate coverage for preventive care like cleanings and exams. Aflac dental insurance has no waiting period for routine services.

Dental insurance typically includes several types of costs you’ll want to understand. These can vary depending on your plan:

• Monthly premium: Your premium is the amount you pay each month to maintain your coverage.
• Deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for services before your insurance starts covering costs.
• Copayments or coinsurance: This is your share of the cost for dental services, such as a flat fee or percentage of the total charge.
• Annual maximum: An annual maximum is the total amount your dental insurance will pay for covered services in a plan year. Once you reach this limit, you’re responsible for any additional dental costs out-of-pocket.