Dental insurance can help pay for a variety of dental costs to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. While each plan is different, many are designed to help cover preventive services, basic services, and major services. Let's take a closer look at what dental insurance is and how it works.
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With dental insurance, you’ll pay premiums to an insurer and receive coverage for dental expenses, like exams, cleanings, and procedures. Depending on the dental insurance plan you have, you may be required to visit dentists in-network or have the freedom to receive care from any dentist, including those out-of-network.1
Aflac offers primary dental insurance for individuals and families with a variety of coverage levels, including full coverage. You can also get supplemental dental insurance from Aflac to help with costs not typically covered by primary insurance. Additionally, we offer three types of coverage in one comprehensive plan with our Dental, Vision and Hearing Insurance. Consider getting our DVH Core or DVH Elite Plan to help with the cost of treatments.
There are two primary types of dental insurance plans you may consider:
In most cases, dental insurance covers three areas of dental care, including preventive services, basic services, and major services. Here’s how each of these services works:2
Preventive services usually cover routine exams, cleanings, x-rays, and preventive care.
Basic services are simple procedures such as fillings, basic oral care gum treatments, and non-surgical tooth procedures.
Major services tend to be complex and might include oral surgery, and major services.
The cost of dental insurance can vary based on factors like your age, the state you live in, and the type of policy you get. The National Association of Dental Plans estimates that the average DHMO plan for individuals costs $13.83 per month, and the average DPPO plan for individuals costs $35.16 per month.3
While every dental insurance plan is unique, many of them have the following features:2
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedIf you’re interested in getting an Aflac dental insurance plan, follow these steps:
You can also start the process via phone and call Aflac directly at 1-855-782-5850.
Primary dental insurance, including full coverage dental insurance, can help you save a significant amount on dental care costs. Supplemental plans can also help cover expenses that are not typically covered by primary plans. Benefits of dental insurance include:
Now that you know how dental insurance works, you may be wondering which type of plan is right for you. Aflac offers dental insurance for individuals with reasonable premiums and comprehensive coverage. Chat with an agent to learn more about how Aflac’s primary dental insurance, supplemental dental insurance, and Dental, Vision and Hearing Insurance can help you get quality dental care within your budget.
Get StartedRead on to learn how dental insurance works, how much it costs, and some affordable policy options Aflac offers.
Dental insurance can save you money on dental care. Learn how it works, what it covers, and how to get a dental insurance plan.
1 Forbes - How Does Dental Insurance Work? Updated December 20, 2023. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/how-does-dental-insurance-work/.
2 Investopedia - How Does Dental Insurance Work? Updated December 15, 2023. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/111715/how-does-dental-insurance-work.asp.
3 NADP – Understanding dental benefits. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.nadp.org/about-dental-plans-care/understanding-dental-benefits/.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Dental 81000: In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81400. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81400ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81400OK. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA.82000: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company.
In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. 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. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers.
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.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. 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.
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.
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 (Tier One NAIC 92908).
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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