Best Dental Insurance Providers of 2024 (2024)

Best Dental Insurance Providers

Best Dental Insurance Providers

We chose UnitedHealthOne dental insurance for its affordable, accessible family dental plans. UnitedHealthOne offers 10 different dental plans and comes highly rated by AM Best.

Dental coverage through UnitedHealthOne is available in both individual and employer plans.

Golden Rule Insurance Company, which underwrites many of UnitedHealthOne's individual insurance products, is rated "A+ (Superior)" by AM Best. Its rating indicates the financial strength and stability of UnitedHealthOne's products.

These are six of United's most popular dental plans, along with their noted benefits:

• Dental Primary: There is a $50 per person deductible for basic services when using a network provider, and there's no copay for preventive care. Fifty percent of basic services are covered after the deductible in the first year, then 65% in year two, and 80% in the next year and onward. Major services are not covered. An annual maximum of $1,000 per person applies.
• Dental Primary Plus: This plan has a $50 per person deductible for basic services when you're using an out of network dentist. There's 100% coverage for preventive care. There's 50% coverage for basic services after the deductible in year one, then 65%, and finally 80% coverage for basic services. Major services are not covered. A $1,000 annual maximum applies.
• Dental Essential: This policy has a $50 per person deductible for basic services when you're using a network provider. Preventive services initially are covered at 80% before increasing to 90% then 100%. There's 50% coverage for basic services after the deductible. This later increases to 65% then 80%. Major services are not covered. Your benefits will be capped at $1,000 annually.
• Dental Essential Preferred: There's a $50 per person deductible for basic services and a $50 per person deductible for major services when you're using a network provider. Initially, there's 80% coverage for preventive care before increasing to 90% and later to 100%. There's 50% coverage for basic services after the deductible in the first year before increasing to 65% and then to 80%. Major services are covered at 15% after the deductible. This later increases to 50% then 60%. A $1,000 annual maximum per person applies.
• Dental Premier Choice: A $50 combined per person deductible for basic and major services with a network provider applies to this policy. There's no copay for preventive care. It provides 50% coverage for basic services after the deductible. This increases to 65% and 80% after years one and two respectively. Major services are covered at 10% after the deductible before increasing to 40% and then 50%. The policy has a $1,500 annual maximum.
• Dental Premier Elite: This policy has a $50 combined per person deductible for basic and major services with a non-network provider. There's no copay for preventive care. The policy initially covers basic services at 50% after the deductible, but this increases to 65% and then to 80%. There's 15% coverage for major services to start before increasing to 50% and then to 60%. The annual maximum of this policy is $2,000.

Delta Dental is our top pick for families on a budget thanks to its affordable plans for the whole family. It also offers an HMO dental plan with no deductibles or annual maximums, making it easier for you to afford the coverage you need.

Delta Dental is the largest provider of dental benefits in the United States with a network of more than 155,000 practicing dentists nationwide.

Delta Dental has an "A (Excellent)" rating from AM Best, which affirmed the financial strength rating and the issuer credit ratings for the company.

Delta Dental offers individual and group plans as well as plans through the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplace.Delta Dental offers plans designed to help families on a budget.

The following is an overview of two Delta Dental insurance plans:

• DeltaCare USA: This plan is prepaid on an annual basis and has, among other benefits, no deductible or annual dollar maximums. There are no copayments or low copayments for most diagnostic and preventive services, as well as coverage for more than 300 procedures. As an enrollee, you must choose a primary care dentist from the preferred provider network.
• Delta Dental PPO: This is the company's preferred provider option program. Enrollees have access to a network of dentists who accept reduced fees for covered services. Covered services are paid based on a percentage of the dentist's fee. You'll pay a percentage and the insurance will pay the remaining portion. The amount paid by the insurance varies with the plan you select. Enrollees may be responsible for a deductible, as well as charges for non-covered services and amounts over the annual maximum.

Humana is a great option if you’re looking for discounts on your dental insurance policy. This insurer regularly offers discounted fees when you use an in-network provider.

Humana offers dental insurance plans for individuals and groups. According to the company's website, enrollees may save 10% to 60%, depending on their plan, when they get dental services from a dentist in a dental network.

The dental plans listed below are available with the noted benefits:

• Dental Loyalty Plus: This one gives you the ability to choose any network or non-network dentist. It covers preventive services. There's a one-time deductible and no waiting period. The annual benefit is $1,000 maximum in the first year, $1,250 in the second year, and $1,500 in the third year and beyond. The coinsurance rates depend on the procedure, and your portion decreases after the first and second years with the plan.
• Dental Preventative Value: This provides full coverage of preventive services after the deductible, but major services aren't covered. Some basic services are covered at 50% after the deductible. The deductible is $50 per individual and $150 per lifetime. There are no waiting periods and no benefit limits.
• Bright Plus PPO: There's a deductible of $50 for individuals and $150 for families with this plan. Preventive care is covered at 100%. Most other services aren't covered except for fillings and simple extractions which are covered at 60% after the deductible.
• Dental Savings Plus: This is a savings program, not regular insurance. You can save 20% to 40% on preventive services, and there are discounted fees with in-network providers for basic and major services. There are no copays or deductibles, and there's no waiting period. There's no limit on the number of services that can be used each year. Discounts for orthodontics are available up to 20% and discounts for prescriptions average 37%.
• Complete Dental: This plan has 100% coverage for preventive services. It has 80% coverage after the deductible for basic services (some limits apply) and 50% coverage after the deductible for major services (some limits apply). There's no waiting period for preventive care, and the waiting period for basic and major services is waived with proof of prior dental insurance.

Read the full Humana Dental Insurance review.

Cigna Dental is a great choice for patients who travel a lot because it provides a nationwide network at affordable rates.

Cigna offers three different dental plan options through its network of more than 92,000 dentists. Cigna’s dental network spreads nationwide offering access to dental care while away from home if you travel often.

Cigna has an "A (Excellent)" rating from AM Best, indicating that the company has solid financial strength.

The following are Cigna Dental's individual insurance plans:

• Cigna Dental 1500: This one is $0 for in-network preventive services and up to $1,500 is covered per year after your deductible and coinsurance for restorative services. There's a $50 deductible for individuals and a $150 deductible for families. Up to $1,000 is covered for orthodontia.
• Cigna Dental 1000: This is also $0 for in-network preventive services. Up to $1,000 is covered per year after your deductible and coinsurance for restorative services. There's a $50 deductible for individuals and a $150 deductible for families. It provides no coverage for orthodontia.
• Cigna Dental Preventive: This is $0 for in-network preventive services. There's no coverage for restorative services or orthodontia. There are no deductibles for individuals or for families.

Read the full Cigna dental insurance review.

Ameritas is our top pick for a dental insurance plan with a rewards program. Enrollees can increase their annual maximum benefit by making annual visits to the dentist.

Ameritas is well known in the insurance industry as a top provider of dental insurance. It also offers a Dental Rewards program through which enrollees can increase their annual maximum benefit to help pay for more expensive procedures in the future by visiting a dental provider each year and submitting a claim.

The company has an “A (Excellent)" rating with AM Best and an “A+ (Strong)” rating with Standard & Poor's.

Here are some features that come standard with all Ameritas dental plans:

• Network providers charge 25% to 50% less than their regular rates.
• Enrollees can visit any out-of-network dentists.
• Enrollees can save on prescriptions at more than 60,000 participating network pharmacies.

Article Sources

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2. UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule Insurance Company. "Dental Primary Plans."

3. UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule Insurance Company. "Dental Essential Plans."

4. UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule Insurance Company. "Dental Premier Plans."

5. Delta Dental. "Get the Most Value From Your Insurance by Visiting an In-Network Dentist."

6. AM Best. "AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Positive for Delta Dental of California and Its Affiliates.”

7. Delta Dental. "Dental Plan Options."

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10. Humana. "Preventive Value."

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15. Businesswire. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of CIGNA Global Insurance Company Limited.”

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17. Cigna. "Cigna Dental Preventive Plan."

18. Ameritas. "Earn Rewards for the Benefits You Use Most."

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21. Ameritas. "Dental."