How to buy family and individual dental insurance
A nice smile is important but feeling good about yourself is only one reason to get dental insurance. The fact is oral health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Guardian has dental plans that can help you look better, feel better, and even save money. See for yourself: start by seeing how affordable dental coverage can be, or scroll around to learn more about how it works.
What dental insurance helps pay for
Even a basic dental plan will cover regular checkups and plans with greater dental coverage can help pay for basic treatments as well. A full-coverage dental plan can cover major services and even some orthodontic care – which can be valuable if you have kids with crooked teeth. Every plan has somewhat different coverage, but here are some examples of the different categories of services that may be included.
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Preventive care |
Checkups, cleanings, routine x-rays, and sometimes, fluoride treatments |
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Basic care |
Fillings, extractions, and other services |
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Major care |
More complex treatments such as root canals, as well as crowns, bridges and dentures |
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Orthodontic treatment |
Braces and other types of teeth aligners |
How dental insurance can help save you money
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Pays for preventive care |
Helps catch problems early |
Helps pay for needed treatments |
In-network discounts |
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Most plans pay all or most of the charge for checkups – so there's no reason not to see your dentist for regular preventive dental services. |
Regular visits to the dentist help keep teeth and gums healthy. Catch and fix a minor issue before it turns into a bigger, more expensive (and painful) dental health problem. |
A crown can cost $2,000 or more. A good full-coverage plan can lower that to under $700. * |
Insurance companies negotiate discounts with their PPO network dentists (the average Guardian discount is 36%). |
Dental care is important for your overall health
Guardian studies1 – and a growing body of third-party research2 – show that maintaining good oral health can help adults avoid or better manage serious health-related issues:
- Diabetes Periodontal infections contribute to problems with glycemic control, which compromises the health of diabetic patients.
- Heart disease The inflammation associated with periodontal disease has a high potential to contribute to coronary artery disease. Good oral health can lower that risk.
- Pregnancy Studies have indicated that mothers with high levels of certain oral bacteria were found to have children with similarly high levels of bacteria, along with a higher risk of tooth decay.
- Self-esteem Research shows that healthy teeth and gums are important to a person's self-esteem and how they feel about themselves.
Two kinds of dental plans. Two kinds of networks.
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DPPO |
DHMO |
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It stands for Dental Preferred Provider Organization. These dental insurance plans typically have an extensive network of dentists but also let you see out-of-network dentists. But when you stay in-network, you pay less and don't need to submit claims. Is your dentist in Guardian's network? Find out here. |
It stands for Dental Health Maintenance Organization. These dental plans tend to offer lower premiums, but there's also less flexibility with a limited network of dentists. Similar to HMO health coverage, you choose a Primary Dentist and have to go through him or her for all your care, including specialist referrals. Many DHMOs have no deductibles or maximums – and while there are copayments for most non-preventive treatments, your overall costs will likely be lower. |
And two more types of dental plans:
Indemnity plans let you see any dentist, but you have to pay the entire fee upfront. The insurance company reimburses a portion – usually between 50% and 80% of the "reasonable and customary" charge. These plans tend to have higher premiums and are harder to find.
Discount plans aren't really dental insurance – they're more like a warehouse club. There's an annual fee, and you're given a card that entitles you to reduced charges at participating dentists. The savings vary – but there's always an out-of-pocket charge.
3 things to look for in a dental insurance company
1. A broad provider network
The bigger the network, the more likely you are to find a dentist you like. That's why Guardian networks have over 120,000 dentists in 400,000 locations.
2. A range of plans
It's good to have choices. Depending on where you live, Guardian offers several Dental PPO plans plus DentalGuard, a Dental HMO option.
3. An easy way to buy online
If you're buying a dental insurance plan online, coverage and cost details should be displayed in a simple and straightforward manner to help you make a well-informed choice – like they are when you purchase coverage online with Guardian.
Dental insurance terms you should know
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Premiums |
The cost of the dental plan – what you are charged each month for coverage |
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Deductibles |
The yearly amount you have to pay before dental insurance plans start to cover services |
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Coinsurance |
The percentage of costs you owe for services once you've met your deductible |
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Co-pay |
Fees charged for specific services or treatments |
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Annual Maximums |
A cap on what's covered; the most a plan will pay for dental services in a given year - you are responsible for all charges over the maximum |
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Waiting Periods |
Major procedures such as root canals usually have a waiting period (e.g., six or twelve months) before they are covered |
A few things to think about before buying a plan
Where should you get dental coverage?
If you or your spouse can get dental benefits through your employer, that may be the way to go. Companies get lower group rates than individuals typically can. But if workplace dental benefits aren't an option, you can get affordable coverage directly online from an insurance company like Guardian.
What are your dental care needs?
If you have never had oral health issues, you may be able to save money with a basic dental plan. But if you have had oral health issues, you may save more in the long run with a plan that offers coverage for more dental services and treatments.
Do you want to see a particular dentist?
If you have a dentist you want to stay with, look for a DPPO, then check with your dentist to see if he or she is part of the plan's network. But if cost matters more to you than loyalty to a specific dental professional, a DHMO might be a better value for you.
Questions people ask about dental insurance
Can I purchase dental insurance on my own?
Yes, absolutely. If coverage isn't available through your employer, you can find an affordable dental insurance plan. Major insurance companies make it easy for individuals and families to compare and buy a plan directly online.
What is the best dental insurance?
Different dental insurance plans offer various combinations of benefits, features, and coverage options. But generally speaking, the best dental insurance for an individual or family is the plan that lets them see a dentist they like and offers coverage for the treatments they're likely to need, at a price that fits their budget.
How much is full coverage dental insurance?
There are many dental plan options available. Monthly insurance coverage starts at around $15/month per person for a good Dental HMO plan. It can go up to $50/month or more for a Dental PPO plan, depending on your age, the state you live in, the insurance company, dental benefits, and other factors.
Is a dental discount plan better than dental insurance?
One of the most important advantages of having dental coverage is that preventive checkups are usually covered at 100%. That encourages people to get regular dental care, which helps catch minor issues before they become major issues. Dental discount plans don't eliminate the cost of checkups, cleanings, routine x-rays, and the like, which may discourage some people from getting regular dental care.
Are you a dental professional? Find out how to join Guardian's growing network of dental benefit providers.
