5 US Dental Insurance Companies Recommendation

1. Delta Dental

Pros & Cons: Delta Dental is widely regarded as one of the best dental insurance companies in the US. With a large network of dentists and excellent coverage for a range of treatments, including braces and implants, they are an excellent choice. However, some may find their premiums to be on the higher side compared to other providers.

Delta Dental stands out as the premier option for braces coverage, boasting the largest array of PPO and health maintenance organization (HMO) plans inclusive of adult braces coverage. With the highest lifetime coverage and comprehensive in-network and out-of-network orthodontics coverage, Delta Dental secures its position as the best dental insurance provider for braces.

Delta Dental’s Premium PPO plan shines with its impressive 40% to 50% coverage for implants, coupled with shorter waiting periods compared to most competitors. This exceptional offering places Delta Dental at the forefront of dental insurance companies for implants.

The Premium PPO plan extends excellent coverage for major dental procedures such as dentures and periodontal treatment, with particularly high scores for implant coverage. Given its comprehensive benefits tailored to the needs of older adults, Delta Dental emerges as the top pick for dental insurance for this demographic.

2. Physicians Mutual

Pros & Cons: The plan stands out with the best overall cost-to-value score and offers four different PPO plans that include major coverage, along with plans featuring a $0 deductible. However, it provides relatively low coverage for basic and major care, coupled with a one-year waiting period for major services, and it has unimpressive customer satisfaction ratings.

The Physicians Mutual Economy Plan boasts an absence of coverage limits, a $0 deductible, and a comparably low premium, resulting in the most favorable cost-to-value ratio among the companies scrutinized. With coverage available in most states and a broad network, it offers a compelling option.

Ideal for individuals seeking preventive care, the Economy Plan provides substantial benefits. However, it typically covers only about 25% of dental expenses for basic and major services on average. Three of the company’s plans remunerate dentists a fixed amount for each service, resulting in limited coverage for basic and major benefits. For instance, they may reimburse approximately $23 for a metal filling, whereas the cost can amount to $253.

Despite its superior cost rating, the Premier plan emerges as Physicians Mutual’s most comprehensive and priciest option. It furnishes 70% in-network coverage for basic procedures and costlier major dental treatments like crowns, potentially offering better value for individuals requiring such services compared to other plans.

3. MetLife

Pros & Cons: MetLife offers HMO plans with no coverage limit and affordable premiums, alongside nationwide availability of PPO plans, providing comprehensive options for dental coverage. However, HMO plans are limited to only five states, and individuals must exclusively work with their designated HMO provider, limiting choice and access to specialized care.

MetLife clinched the top position on our list of the best dental insurance plans with no annual maximum coverage, featuring two dental HMO plans, "DHMO-LOW" and "DHMO-HIGH," both with low premiums, no annual benefit limits, and no waiting periods. However, these HMO plans are solely available in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, and most covered services necessitate a copay, with limited dentist networks typical of HMO plans.

Despite its limitations, MetLife also offers PPO plans nationwide and has scored below average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dental Plan Satisfaction Study, although it fared better than some competitors, while its complaint rate with the NAIC over the last three years has been lower than expected for its market share.

4.Anthem BCBS

Pros and Cons: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the best costs considering the value provided by the plan, making it an economically advantageous option for dental coverage.The plan covers 30% of major care expenses in the first year, ensuring significant financial assistance for crucial dental procedures.With a high annual maximum benefit of $2,500, individuals can access comprehensive coverage for their dental needs.Despite operating in a limited number of states, Anthem's presence in 14 states still provides coverage options for a significant portion of the population. The premium for the Incentive plan is relatively high, potentially making it less accessible for some individuals seeking dental coverage. The Incentive plan may not be available to residents in all states, restricting access to this comprehensive coverage option.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is distinguished as the premier dental insurance provider for no waiting periods due to its exceptional cost-to-value proposition, generous annual maximum benefit, and comprehensive coverage for basic and major dental needs.

Anthem's Essential Choice Incentive plan offers immediate access to dental benefits for preventive, basic, and major care, featuring an impressive annual coverage maximum of $2,500 and a standard $50 deductible for no-waiting-period plans. Despite its top-tier coverage, one drawback is the relatively high premium for the Incentive plan, compounded by the company's limited presence in only 14 states, potentially restricting access to this comprehensive coverage option.

5. DentaQuest

Pros & Cons: DentaQuest boasts a remarkably low number of complaints for a company of its size, reflecting high customer satisfaction and efficient service.The company earns an above-average ranking from J.D. Power, indicative of its commitment to providing satisfactory dental insurance services.With relatively low premiums, DentaQuest offers affordability without compromising on coverage quality. Despite its merits, DentaQuest's coverage is limited to specific states, potentially restricting accessibility for individuals outside of these areas.The network size is relatively small, which may limit the choice of dentists and specialists available to policyholders. DentaQuest may have a poor cost-to-value score, suggesting potential limitations in coverage or benefits relative to the price.

DentaQuest secured our top spot for dental insurance customer satisfaction, boasting a remarkably low NAIC complaint index and a robust J.D. Power ranking, indicating superior service quality and customer satisfaction. Additionally, DentaQuest offers relatively low premiums and covers 100% of preventive care before the deductible in the 12 states where available.

However, it's worth noting that DentaQuest's PPO plan entails a higher deductible, premium, and lower maximum coverage limit compared to some competitors. Moreover, two of its PPO plans solely cover preventive and basic restorative care, omitting major dental services. The comprehensive Personal Dental Plan Plus features a $100 deductible and a $1,250 annual limit, providing 50% coverage for basic and 30% coverage for major procedures like root canals, accompanied by an 18-month waiting period for major services. Nonetheless, residents in Georgia can opt for the Personal Dental Plan Comprehensive with Ortho 2000 or Ortho 1500, which offer higher maximums, increased coverage percentages, and reduced or nonexistent waiting periods.