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Dental insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for preventive care, basic treatments and major services. Since there are many different types of dental insurance available, you may wonder which option is right for you.
Aflac offers network dental insurance and supplemental dental insurance for individuals and families that you can purchase directly. Read on to discover the different types of dental insurance, how they work and how to choose the right plan for your needs and budget.
Table of Contents
After selecting a dental insurance plan, you must pay a monthly premium to keep your coverage active. When you visit the dentist, your provider will bill your insurance company for covered services.
Depending on your plan, you may also need to pay a deductible, copay or coinsurance for certain treatments.
Some dental insurance plans have annual maximums, which cap the total amount of coverage you can receive in a calendar year. Additionally, some plans also have waiting periods for certain treatments and network restrictions that may limit which providers you can visit.
Now that you understand how dental insurance works, let’s look at five of the most popular plans.
PPO plans are one of the most common dental plan options.They allow you to visit any licensed dentist, regardless of whether they're in network. However, you'll usually pay less if you stick with in-network providers.1
With a PPO, you can book appointments with dental specialists without a referral. However, these plans often come with higher premiums and deductibles to account for this flexibility.1
HMO plans typically cost less than PPOs, but they require you to choose a network dentist in their network and get referrals for specialist care. They’re also unlikely to cover visits with out-of-network providers.1
If you want a dental insurance plan with lower premiums and don’t mind these limitations, an HMO may be an ideal fit.
EPO plans are often offered through employers and combine features of HMO and PPO plans. They typically don’t require referrals to visit specialists and typically have lower premiums than PPOs, but they restrict coverage to in-network providers.2
POS plans also blend elements of both HMO and PPO plans. You’ll typically need to get referrals for specialists, but you may still receive some coverage for out-of-network care. This option may work well if you want to strike a balance between cost savings and flexibility.3
Dental discount plans aren’t technically insurance, but they can still help you save money on dental care. With a dental discount plan, you pay a monthly or annual membership fee to access discounted rates from participating dentists. These plans don’t have deductibles, waiting periods or annual maximums.4
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedAt Aflac, we offer several dental insurance options for individuals and families.
Our network dental insurance for individuals and families is a passive PPO plan, so you can visit any dentist without a referral, though your out-of-pocket costs may be lower when you choose providers within our network. This plan can help cover a wide range of dental services, such as:5
You can choose from a wide range of coverage levels, including expanded coverage options. Vision and hearing options are also available with our Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) insurance.
Aflac's supplemental dental insurance pays cash benefits directly to you (unless otherwise assigned) to help cover out-of-pocket costs or other unexpected expenses. This added coverage can reduce your out-of-pocket costs even further.
If you’re wondering, "What type of dental insurance should I get?", the right plan ultimately depends on your dental needs, budget and preferences.
If you primarily need preventive care and don’t mind seeing an in-network provider, an HMO may be an affordable choice for you. If you anticipate needing more complex dental care or want the flexibility to see providers out of network, a PPO may be a better fit.
To make the best choice, review each plan’s coverage levels, premiums, deductibles and annual maximums so you can estimate your out-of-pocket costs and choose the most cost-effective option.
With so many types of dental insurance available, the right plan comes down to your personal needs and priorities. If you’re considering a PPO plan, Aflac’s network dental insurance may be the perfect fit.
Chat with an agent today to explore your options and get a quote.
Get Started
The costs of dental care can add up quickly without insurance. Learn how you can save money on dental care costs with Aflac dental insurance.
Dental insurance can save you money on dental care. Learn how it works, what it covers, and how to get a dental insurance plan.
The costs of dental care can add up quickly without insurance. Learn how you can save money on dental care costs with Aflac dental insurance.
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 Investopedia – HMO vs. PPO Dental Insurance: Key Differences Explained. Updated February 21, 2026. https://www.investopedia.com/dental-insurance-hmo-vs-ppo-whats-the-difference-8553452. Accessed June 23, 2026.
2 Rippling – What’s the difference between EPO vs. HMO vs. PPO plans? Updated January 31, 2025. https://www.rippling.com/blog/epo-vs-hmo. Accessed June 23, 2026.
3 Investopedia – What Is a POS Health Plan? Features, Benefits, and Comparison to HMO. Updated April 25, 2026. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pointofservice-plan-pos.asp. Accessed June 23, 2026.
4 Healthinsurance.org – What’s the difference between dental insurance and dental discount plans? Updated November 4, 2025. https://www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/whats-the-difference-between-dental-insurance-and-dental-discount-plans/. Accessed June 23, 2026.
5 Anthem – What Does Dental Insurance Cover? https://www.anthem.com/individual-and-family/insurance-basics/dental-vision-insurance/coverage. Accessed June 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.
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.
Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company:
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. 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.
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).
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. 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.
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