How Much is Dental Insurance Per Month?
Dental insurance costs $22 per month, on average, for a plan from HealthCare.gov.
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You'll pay more if you need coverage for things like crowns, root canals or braces. Rates also change depending on what company you pick, where you live and if you need coverage for a child. You can also consider a discount dental program, which gives you access to cheaper services from certain dentists.
How much is dental insurance?
On average, you'll pay $22 per month for a dental insurance plan from HealthCare.gov.
But rates changed based on several factors, like your age, where you live, the company you pick and how much coverage you need. The best way to find out how much you'll pay for dental insurance is to compare your options.
If you get dental insurance through your job, you'll probably pay a lower monthly rate than if you have to buy coverage yourself.
Dental insurance costs by company
DentaQuest has the cheapest average rates for dental insurance.
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Humana is also a cheap option for dental insurance. Kaiser Permanente tends to be expensive. However, the rate you pay depends on your specific circumstances, like your age, where you live and whether or not you need coverage for a child. Comparing rates is the best way to find the right policy for you.
Average dental insurance rates by company
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| DentaQuest | $16 |
| Humana | $18 |
| Cigna | $22 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $23 | |
| UnitedHealthcare | $23 |
Monthly rates are averages for a 40-year-old who doesn't need coverage for a child.
Average dental insurance costs by state
Tennessee has the cheapest average rates for dental insurance at $17 per month.
Alaska and Oregon have the highest dental insurance rates in the country, at $38 per month, on average.
State | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $18 |
| Alaska | $38 |
| Arizona | $26 |
| Arkansas | $34 |
| Delaware | $31 |
Average monthly rates for a 40-year-old who doesn't need coverage for a child. States with their own marketplaces are excluded.
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Dental insurance rates by coverage level
Dental insurance plans on HealthCare.gov come in two coverage levels: Low and High.
- Low coverage plans cost $17 per month, on average. They have cheaper monthly rates but require you to pay a higher share of your dental bills yourself.
- High coverage plans cost $32 per month, on average. They cost more but also pay for more of your dental bills, so you pay less for dental care.
Rates also depend on whether or not you need coverage for major dental care, like root canals and crowns, and orthodontic coverage for things like braces and retainers. You'll likely pay more for plans with coverage for these more expensive dental needs.
How to get cheap dental insurance
The best way to save on dental insurance is to compare your options.
You can do this on HealthCare.gov or your state's health insurance marketplace site.
Keep in mind that you can only buy a dental plan on HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace if you're also buying a health insurance plan at the same time. That means you can only buy a dental plan between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15, during what's called "open enrollment." You might be able to get a plan at other times of year if you have recently moved, gotten married, had a baby or experienced another life event.
Even if you just need a dental plan or it's outside of open enrollment, HealthCare.gov can still be a helpful tool. It lets you compare plans from different companies, and then you can buy the plan you want directly from the company you choose.
You can also save money by getting a plan that requires you to use certain dentists, like an EPO or HMO. These plans are cheap because they only cover you when you see dentists inside the network. If you want to use an out-of-network dentist, you have to pay the full cost yourself.
Dental insurance costs by plan type
A PPO is a good option if you need frequent or complex dental care. It's a more expensive plan type than an HMO or an EPO, but it lets you go to any dentist, even if they're not in the network, and still have some coverage.
Indemnity plans, sometimes called fee-for-service plans, are the most expensive type of dental insurance. Like a PPO, an indemnity plan doesn't have a network, so you can see any dentist but will pay less when you go to an in-network office. The insurance company agrees to pay a certain amount for each dental service, like 80% for a cleaning, and you pay the rest.
If you don't think dental insurance is the right option but you still want to save on dental care, consider joining a discount dental program. These programs aren't dental insurance, but they let you get dental care at a lower rate. Some insurance companies sell these plans, which contract with a network of dentists who agree to give you discounts on dental services like cleanings and fillings.
Just remember that you have to pay the full bill yourself. A discount dental program doesn't pay anything toward your bill, it just gives you access to cheaper dental care.
How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance pays for part of your dental care bills, so you pay less.
You usually still have to pay something toward your dental bills, though. This can take a few forms.
- Deductible: This is the amount you have to pay yourself each year before your plan starts paying toward your bills.
- Copay: A copay is a flat fee, like $20 or $50, that you pay for certain types of dental care. You might pay a $20 copay when you get a cleaning, for example, even after you hit your deductible.
- Coinsurance: Once you reach your deductible, your insurance company will pay a percentage of your bill, called coinsurance. Your company might pay 80% of your bill while you pay 20%.
- Annual or lifetime maximum: Most dental plans have an annual or lifetime limit for what they'll pay. When you reach that limit, your coverage stops and you have to pay everything. You might have a $1,000 annual limit, for example, which means that after your plan pays $1,000 for your dental care, you have to pay everything yourself.
Usually, your dental insurance will pay your dentist directly, and then your dentist will send you a bill for your share. Sometimes, though, you might get a check from your dental insurance company. You might need to pay the bill in full and use the check to reimburse yourself, or you might need to send the check directly to your dentist. Call your dentist to be sure.
Frequently asked questions
How much is dental insurance per month?
On average, dental insurance costs $22 per month. Rates depend on where you live, the coverage level you buy, the company you pick, your age and whether or not you need coverage for a child.
Is it worth paying for dental insurance?
Dental insurance is usually worth it. Even basic dental care, like the recommended twice-yearly exams and cleanings, can cost hundreds without coverage. Even though you have to pay for a dental plan, the low monthly rates usually mean you'll save money overall, especially if you need more intense dental care.
How do I get dental insurance?
Most people get dental insurance through their jobs. If you don't have coverage from your employer, you can shop on HealthCare.gov or your state's health insurance marketplace. However, you can only buy a dental plan if you're also buying health insurance. If you just need dental coverage, you'll need to buy it directly from an insurance company rather than on HealthCare.gov.
Methodology
Average rates for dental insurance plans are from HealthCare.gov. Rates are averages of both high- and low-coverage plans for a single 40-year-old without a child on their plan unless otherwise noted. States that use their own state marketplace website are not included.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.