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Choosing the best dental insurance plan for your specific needs can feel overwhelming. Each plan has its own premiums, coverage levels, provider networks, waiting periods and copayment policies. The best dental insurance for you may depend on your budget, your dental health and your expected use. For all these reasons, it is essential to learn how to compare dental insurance plans to choose one that best fits your budget and addresses your treatment needs.
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Understanding the various kinds of dental insurance available to you can give you a clear picture of which dental procedures are covered, any flexibility in payment options and your dentist's reimbursement policies. Dental insurance plans typically fall into three categories:
An HMO requires you to select dentists from within the HMO's network. If you need to see a specialist for treatment, you'll need to get a referral from your primary dentist. The main advantage of these plans is that they tend to offer reasonable premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs, generally have no deductibles and in some cases there is no annual benefit cap.1 However, a dental HMO can be more restrictive since you must stat within the network of providers for coverage.
With these plans, you can visit dentists both in and out of the plan's network. However, you'll generally pay less if you see a dentist within the plan's network. Dental PPOs have higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs than HMO plans but offer more flexibility compared to HMO plans.1
Dental indemnity plans are fee-for-service plans that let you choose your dentist without any restrictions. You'll also be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of your covered treatments. Reimbursement is determined by the insurance company's own determination of "usual, customary and reasonable" fees for each service provided. Dental indemnity plans give you the freedom to choose your own dentist but tend to be more expensive.2
Dental insurance policies typically cover seven basic areas:
Each of these is classified into three main categories: preventive, basic and major. Many plans cover 100% of preventive care. Basic procedures like extractions, fillings and root canals are typically covered between 70% and 80%. Major procedures, such as crowns, inlays and dentures, are typically covered up to 50%.3
Don't wait until it's too late. Protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedTo find the best dental insurance for you, consider the following:
It's important that you don't base your decision solely on the plan with a lower monthly premium. You'll also want to factor in deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and annual maximum benefits to determine the true cost of your chosen plan.
Provider networks can also affect costs and access to care. With certain plans, clinics within provider networks may offer care at lower rates.
As you're considering which plan is best for you, determine if you can delay care until the waiting period is up. If you need care immediately, you may want to choose a plan with a shorter waiting period.
For example, our supplemental dental insurance can help fill the gaps in primary dental insurance policies by helping cover treatments your primary dental insurance doesn't cover. A supplemental dental plan is especially helpful if your current plan has a high deductible, copayment, coinsurance or long waiting period.
Dental insurance plans can help make it easier to be better prepared for major, unforeseen dental conditions. The right plan for you depends on your dental health, your budget and your preferred dentists. Aflac offers you a selection of plans to help support a variety of dental care needs. Chat with our agents to explore your options and get a quote for dental insurance today.
Get Started
Learn about dental insurance vs. dental discount plans and how Aflac dental insurance can help you save money at the dentist.
Understanding how in-network vs. out-of-network dental care works can help save you money and pick the best plan for your needs.
Learn about dental insurance vs. dental discount plans and how Aflac dental insurance can help you save money at the dentist.
Understanding how in-network vs. out-of-network dental care works can help save you money and pick the best plan for your needs.
1 Story Dental - Understanding Dental Insurance: HMO vs. PPO Plans Explained. Published August 21, 2025. https://storydental.com/blog/understanding-dental-insurance--hmo-vs--ppo-plans-explained. Accessed June 8, 2026.
2 Dentalinsurance.com - Indemnity Dental Insurance Plans: Fixed Benefits with Flexible Usage. Updated April 30, 2025. https://www.dentalinsurance.com/resources/dental-plans/indemnity-dental-insurance/. Accessed June 8, 2026.
3 National Association of Dental Plans – Understanding Dental Benefits. Updated July 23, 2025. https://www.nadp.org/about-dental-plans-care/understanding-dental-benefits/. Accessed May 6, 2026.
4 Debt.org - Health Insurance Premiums, Deductibles, Copays and Coinsurance. Updated on May 20, 2025. https://www.debt.org/medical/health-insurance-premiums/. Accessed on June 16, 2026.
5 Dentalnsurance.com - Dental Insurance Annual Maximum Benefit. Updated on June 10, 2025. https://www.dentalinsurance.com/benefits/maximum/. Accessed on July 24, 2026.
6 Forbes - Best Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period. Updated July 1, 2026. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/dental-insurance/best-dental-insurance-no-waiting-period/. Accessed July 23, 2026.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Dental: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Dental, Vision, and Hearing coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Not available in Virginia. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage/plan levels may not be available in all states, including but not limited to NJ, NM or NY. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
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