Notifications from Aflac

Dismiss all notifications closes this dialog
New messages from Aflac | View Notifications opens a dialog Close X dismisses the notification alert
Individuals & Families
Individuals & Families
Get a Quote

How Does Dental Insurance Work?

Dental insurance can help you afford the essential dental treatments you need to maintain your oral health. For example, Aflac’s dental insurance for individuals and families can help cover preventive services, basic treatments and major procedures. Read on to learn what dental insurance is, how it works, and how to choose a plan that fits your needs and budget.

4 min. read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Dental insurance can help you pay for preventive, basic and major dental services.
  • The cost of a dental insurance plan depends on several factors, including the plan type, monthly premium, deductible, coinsurance and annual maximum.
  • Aflac’s primary dental insurance can help reduce your dental care costs, while our supplemental dental insurance can offer cash benefits for eligible services your network plan doesn’t cover.

What is dental insurance coverage?

Dental insurance allows you to share the cost of your dental care with your insurance company. To maintain coverage, you must pay a monthly premium. In exchange, your dental insurance plan can help cover various services, such as routine exams, cleanings and other procedures.

Your monthly premium and level of coverage depend on your plan and the types of dental treatments you need. Some plans require you to visit dentists within a specific network, while others give you the flexibility to see any licensed dentist you choose.

Types of dental insurance plans

Two common types of dental insurance include:

  • Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) plans: DHMO plans typically require you to choose a primary dentist within your plan's network and to get referrals from that dentist for any specialist care you need. While these plans can be more restrictive, they often have lower monthly premiums and more predictable costs.
  • Dental preferred provider organization (DPPO) plans: DPPO plans offer more flexibility. You can usually visit any licensed dentist, but you may pay less for in-network providers. Due to this added flexibility, DPPO plans often come with higher monthly premiums.

How does dental insurance work?

After selecting the right dental coverage for you, you’ll pay a monthly premium to activate and maintain your coverage. From there, the process typically involves the following steps:

  • You visit the dentist: Depending on your plan, you may choose a provider within a specific network or have the option to go out of network.
  • You pay your share of costs: You may be responsible for a deductible, copayment or coinsurance for certain treatments.
  • You receive coverage for the rest: Your dental insurance plan helps pay a portion of covered services, typically ranging from 50% to 100%, up to your annual maximum.

Your dental insurance plan helps pay a portion of covered services, typically ranging from 50% to 100%, up to your annual maximum.

What does dental insurance cover?

Dental insurance can help cover many types of treatments, including:

  • Preventive services, such as routine exams, cleanings and X-rays
  • Basic services, such as fillings, simple extractions and non-surgical periodontal procedures
  • Major services, such as crowns, bridges, dentures and oral surgery

Aflac’s dental insurance has a wide range of coverage options to suit various budgets. With our supplemental dental insurance, you can also receive cash benefits for services that your network plan doesn’t cover.

Aflac duck with wings out

Peace of mind doesn't have to break the bank

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.

Get Started

How much does a dental insurance plan cost?

The average cost of dental insurance ranges from $26 to $52 per month.1 The amount you'll pay depends on your plan type, coverage level and location. Plans with more comprehensive coverage typically have higher monthly premiums.

However, your monthly premium is just one pricing factor to consider. You should also review your dental insurance plan’s deductible, coinsurance, copayments and annual maximum, as they can influence your total out-of-pocket costs:

  • Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance begins covering eligible services.
  • Copayment: A fixed amount you pay for certain covered services after meeting your deductible, also known as a "copay."
  • Coinsurance: The percentage you pay for certain services after meeting your deductible, often ranging from 20% to 80%.
  • Annual maximum: The maximum amount your dental insurance will pay toward your care within a calendar year.

Aflac's dental insurance lowers your deductible and increases your annual maximum the longer you remain enrolled, which can reduce your dental care costs over time.

Is dental insurance worth it?

Dental insurance may be worth considering if you want help with managing the cost of routine dental care and more complex procedures. With dental coverage, you’ll enjoy:

  • Lower out-of-pocket costs: Dental insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for important dental treatments, from routine cleanings to more complex procedures.
  • Affordable premiums: Compared to many other types of insurance, dental insurance often comes with reasonable premiums. Aflac’s network dental insurance can lower your deductibles the longer you maintain your plan, compounding your savings over time.
  • Improved oral health: By visiting the dentist regularly, you can improve your oral health and prevent more serious or costly dental issues from developing in the future.

How to get Aflac dental insurance

If you’re interested in getting Aflac dental insurance, just follow these steps:

  • Fill out a short online form and wait for an Aflac representative to call you and discuss your options.
  • Call an Aflac representative directly at 1-855-782-5850.

Get a quote for Aflac dental insurance

Now that you know how dental insurance works, you may be wondering which plan is right for you. Aflac offers many dental insurance plans with affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage.

Our primary dental insurance can help cover preventive, basic and major dental services, while our supplemental dental insurance offers cash benefits you can use toward eligible dental expenses your primary plan doesn't cover. Additionally, our Dental, Vision and Hearing insurance can bundle three types of coverage into one.

You can purchase any of these dental insurance plans directly from Aflac. Chat with an Aflac agent today to learn more and get a quote!

Get Started

Learn more about Aflac products for Individuals & Families:

Accident Insurance Cancer Insurance Life Insurance Critical Illness Insurance Final Expense Insurance
Disclaimer

Share Page
Close
Google+