Dental Insurance for College Students

When you’re a college student, you might overlook the importance of making an appointment at the dentist due to cost concerns or a busy schedule. However, routine dental care is essential to good overall health. The CDC recommends that everyone visit the dentist at least annually for preventative care to maintain good oral health and to help keep your teeth clean.¹ Aflac offers network and supplemental dental insurance for individuals (additional coverage for expenses your primary insurance doesn’t cover) that can help reduce your out-of-pocket dental costs. Read on to learn how dental insurance for students works.

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Key Takeaways

Dental insurance can help reduce out-of-pocket dental costs for students on fixed budgets without sacrificing important oral health care needs.
Students have many options for dental insurance, from staying on a parent’s plan to their own private dental insurance plan.
Aflac offers network dental insurance plans for individuals, supplemental dental insurance that pays cash benefits direct to the policyholder, unless otherwise assigned, to help cover living expenses. Also, Aflac’s Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) insurance plans provide three types of insurance collectively into one plan.

Why do students need dental insurance?

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily will support good oral health, but that may not be enough to avoid dental issues completely. Some key reasons why dental insurance for college students is important include:

Preventative care: Routine dentist visits are an important part of preventative care and can help identify potential problems before they get worse.
Help prepare for major dental expenses: You can’t predict the future. Whether you need help with basic services or even some major ones you can choose a plan to suit your needs and your budget.
Establish healthy habits: The earlier you start establishing healthy habits, the easier it will be to maintain them in adulthood as your life gets more complicated with jobs and increased responsibilities.

What does dental insurance typically cover?

Coverage can vary between insurers and policies, but typically, according to the National Association of Dental Plans, dental insurance covers:³

Preventative care: Some examples of preventative care can include annual exams, and cleanings, as well as X-rays.
Basic services: Some examples of basic services can include dental fillings, basic gum treatments, and non-surgical procedures.
Major services: Typically major services are more complex. Some examples can include surgical procedures, like crowns, root canals, and oral surgery.

Dental insurance options for students

Students may have a few more options for dental insurance than other people. These options may include:

Stay on a parent’s plan

If you’re already on a family dental plan, you may be able to stay on that plan. However, it’s important to note that dental insurance is not health insurance. The Affordable Care Act extends dependent coverage of medical benefits to age 26, but this does not include dental benefits. While many insurers extend dependent coverage to age 22 or 26, some may limit it to age 19.² Make sure to check the policy before electing to stay on a parent’s plan.

Get university-provided dental insurance

Many universities offer dental insurance plans for college students through private insurance companies. Students may enroll in these optional plans if they’re unable to stay on their parents’ insurance.

Shop for marketplace or private dental plans

After graduation, you won’t be able to stay on a university plan, so you may feel you’d prefer a private insurance plan that you won’t have to change. Private insurers like Aflac offers dental insurance plans with various coverage levels that may meet your needs, including network dental plan options.

Consider supplemental dental insurance

While network dental insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for preventative care and dental procedures, Aflac supplemental dental insurance pays cash benefits direct to the policyholder, unless otherwise assigned, to help you with what your primary plan may not cover. For instance, a primary plan may help reduce what you pay for a root canal, but benefits from a supplemental dental insurance plan can help you with additional medical and living expenses, such as groceries when you can’t eat solid foods after a dental procedure.

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How to apply for dental insurance for students

Applying for dental insurance for students is usually a straight-forward process. Here’s what to do:

Check your eligibility for staying on a parent’s plan: It may be more cost-effective for your budget to stay on a parent’s plan. Check to see how long you can stay on their policy and plan accordingly.
Research plan options: If you can’t stay on a parent’s plan, it’s time to do some research. See if your university offers a dental plan, and if not, search for private insurers available in your area.
Compare costs and coverage: Compare the costs and coverage options of university plans to private insurance plans, and private insurance plans to one another. Make sure the plan you choose meets your needs and is within your budget.

Get a quote for Aflac dental insurance

Young, healthy college students may overlook the importance of dental insurance. However, preventative care is important for establishing healthy long-term habits, and you never know when you might have a dental emergency. Dental insurance may support routine care and help reduce the financial impact of a serious dental event.

Aflac offers network dental insurance, supplemental dental insurance, and DVH insurance plans for individuals, which can help provide students with multiple coverage options that may suit their needs and budget. Chat with an agent today to learn more about our coverage options and get a quote.

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