Many medical insurance plans do not cover dental services. To help minimize the out-of-pocket costs of dental care, many people choose to buy dental insurance. This benefit has many similarities to medical insurance, such as monthly premium payments, coverage networks, and out-of-pocket cost reductions for treatments.

Dental insurance cost will vary depending on your location, the number of people covered, and the plan type. Part of your cost is the monthly premiums that you pay. Depending on the types of services you get, you may also need to pay a percentage of the amount billed for those dental procedures. Your plan’s coverage will determine how much you pay for any exams or dental work that you receive.

So, is dental insurance worth it? That depends on your priorities and ability to pay for premiums. In this guide, we’ll help you get a better idea of what’s included in dental insurance and the pros and cons, so you can decide for yourself.

What is dental insurance?

Dental insurance is health insurance for your oral health care. Dental coverage helps you reduce the amount that you spend on preventive care and treatments. For example, you may only have to pay a percentage of the full price to get a root canal or filling, depending on your plan.

Dental benefit plan options are set up with different premiums and coverage amounts. When looking for affordable dental plans, consider what the plans cover and what you need for coverage. For instance, you may require a more robust dental plan if you have missing teeth or a child that might need braces. However, if you have healthy teeth, preventive dental care and basic treatment coverage may provide you with adequate coverage for the time being. Only you know what the best type of coverage for your dental needs and budget is.

What is covered under dental insurance plans? 

Each dental plan is different. However, dental insurance plans often provide coverage for basic dental services: typically two dental visits per year for cleanings, X-rays, and fillings for each insured family member.

Some dental plans may add to basic services to cover root canal therapy, crowns, and treatment of gum disease. Tooth extractions and biopsies administered for the purpose of improving dental health may also be covered by dental insurance. (By contrast, oral surgeries performed in connection with medical treatment of a medical condition are more likely to be covered by health insurance.) After a waiting period, some dental plans may also begin to pay a portion of the cost for periodontics, bridges, and dentures.

What is not covered under dental insurance?

Dental insurance does not cover all treatments or procedures your dentist offers. Cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or veneers, do not have coverage under most dental plans. Some plans do not cover dental implants or orthodontic services, such as braces, especially if the treatments are for cosmetic purposes and are not medically necessary.

Timing may also make a difference in what your plan covers. Certain treatments may have waiting periods, such as dentures. Waiting periods will vary based on the plan specifications.

What the plan covers may also depend on the dental provider you visit. Some types of insurance use networks to limit the providers they work with. For example, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans do not cover treatments from out-of-network providers. However, patients with dental HMO plans may spend less out-of-pocket for some in-network procedures. 

When enrolling, you’ll want to look at the type of dental coverage and network coverage. If you already have a dentist you want to keep visiting, whether they are an in-network provider may be a deciding factor in your choice of dental insurance. Also, look at the network coverage of the specific insurance providers.

Not all dental plans cover the same things or the same percentages of treatments. Some plans only pay for a percentage of covered treatments. Always read through what each plan covers when comparing dental insurance options.

To understand what is specifically covered by your plan, contact your health insurance provider.

How much do dental services cost?

The cost of dental care varies by region, dental practice, the metals used (when applicable) and the teeth being treated. National estimates show the following average costs for common dental procedures.

• Teeth Cleaning: $75-$200
• Tooth Filling: $150-$450
• Tooth Crown: $500-$3,000
• Root Canal: $300-$2,000
• Dental Implants (per tooth): $3,000-$4,500
• Full mouth periodontal treatment: $4,000-$10,000

How much do dental plans cost?

Dental plans tend to be affordable for most people.  According to a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) study, in 2023,  the average deductible on dental care insurance in the United States was $47 per person. Dental coverage included in an embedded plan is typically subject to the medical deductible, which averaged $3,057 in 2024, according to KFF. Dental deductibles are usually much lower than the deductibles for major medical coverage, and they typically pay between 50% to 100% of the cost for covered dental services. 37% of Marketplace enrollees reported delaying or forgoing dental care due to cost barriers. Of course, rates vary by region and other factors, so you should get a personalized quote to see what dental insurance costs for you.

Is dental insurance worth the expense to you?  It may well be if your intent is to see that you and your family follow through with the routine dental care that is important to your health and well-being. Dental insurance can also provide some financial protection from the cost of more complex dental treatments due to larger issues, such as gum (periodontal) disease, if you need it.

To understand what is specifically covered by your plan, contact your health insurance provider.

Is dental coverage included in regular health insurance?

Major medical health plans ordinarily don’t include dental coverage. So, if you want dental insurance, you will have to purchase a separate plan. For many people, the question at that point becomes, “Is dental insurance worth it?”

In order to answer the question, you’ll need to weigh several factors, including:

• Are you in relatively good dental health?
• How many dependents do you have?
• How old are they?
• How important is good oral health to you and your family?

Benefits of having dental insurance

Approximately 73.5% of people under 65 years old had dental insurance in 2022, and for good reason. Dental insurance helps make the cost of dental care affordable for more people, especially those who may not be able to pay cash for exams and dental work. If you’re worried about how to pay for dental care with no money, dental insurance may actually be able to help you.

Because many plans cover preventative exams, X-rays, and cleanings, it’s easier to keep up with oral health maintenance. Routine cleanings remove plaque and tartar that could lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Regular exams identify signs of problems when they are less expensive to fix. Preventive care can keep the teeth and gums healthier, but even in those with healthy teeth, accidents or other issues can occur.

With dental insurance, the costs for major dental work, such as dentures or emergency treatment for knocked-out teeth, may be shareable so that burden doesn’t fall completely on your shoulders. You only have to pay monthly premiums to get these benefits.

Are there any cons of having dental insurance?

The only potential con of dental insurance is the monthly premium payment that adds one more bill to your list. For some, that extra expense simply isn’t manageable. However, having dental insurance could save you money in the long run, especially if you end up needing a lot of dental work.

Is dental insurance worth the cost?

Whether dental insurance is worth the expense will depend on your personal circumstances.

Dental insurance may be worth it if you can afford the premiums. In return for paying dental insurance premiums, you may spend less to get the dental services you need. Whether this trade-off works for you is a personal finance decision that only you can make.

Do I have to have dental insurance under Obamacare?

Dental coverage isn’t required for adults under the Affordable Care Act, also called the ACA or “Obamacare.” This means that if you are an adult with no children, you can get dental insurance or choose not to, without penalties.

Under the Obamacare law, however, this type of coverage is an essential health benefit for children aged 18 and younger. If you have children, you must be given an option to purchase dental insurance that meets the criteria of the Affordable Care Act when you purchase your health insurance. If you purchase your health insurance using the government marketplace, you can purchase dental insurance for your children in one of two ways:

1. You can purchase a family health plan that includes dental insurance; or
2. You can purchase a standalone dental plan in addition to your family health plan.

There are several things you should be aware of if you decide to buy dental coverage on the marketplace. If you purchase a health plan that includes dental, you cannot drop the dental benefit and keep the health coverage if you change your mind during the year. On the other hand, if you prefer the flexibility of a standalone dental plan, you can drop it anytime; however, you will pay two premiums when you buy health insurance and a standalone dental plan for as long as you have both. You generally can’t purchase a dental plan without buying health insurance on the marketplace.

But whether or not you actually purchase dental coverage for your children is up to you. There is no tax penalty if your children don’t have dental insurance.

How do I find the right dental plan?

Whether you are looking for a standalone dental plan or a health plan that offers you individual or family medical and dental coverage, eHealth can help you find affordable insurance that meets your needs.

To find health plans with dental coverage offered where you live, check out available individual and family health insurance plans.  ACA-compliant health plans include dental coverage for children aged 18 and younger. But some insurers working with eHealth provide adult dental coverage as well.

If you already have health insurance and want to supplement your coverage with a standalone dental plan, check out our affordable dental plans. You will have a chance to compare affordable dental plans that offer a range of covered services from which you can choose.

Our customer service and licensed insurance agents are standing by and ready to help you with any questions you may have. Feel free to reach them online or by telephone if you want assistance finding the right dental insurance for you or your family.

This article is for general information and may not be updated after publication. Consult your own tax, accounting, or legal advisor instead of relying on this article as tax, accounting, or legal advice. The above information is not intended to provide prices or coverage information for any specific insurance plan.  The specific benefits covered by any insurance plan will be stated in the official documentation for the plan.  Prices and rates vary by region and other factors.