Dental insurance works very similar to health insurance. You pay a monthly premium and the cost for qualified dental expenses is shared between you and the plan. Your share of expenses might include a co-pay, co-insurance and possibly a deductible. Be sure to look at the plan benefits so you know what services are covered and what your costs will be. To view plan benefits, click or tap "View Details" below any plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

Unlike dental insurance plans, dental discount plans do not pay for services.  Instead, these plans offer discounts off of dental procedures from participating dentists.  Discounts usually range from 10% - 60%.  You pay a membership fee to have access to discounted dental services.  Discount plans have no deductibles, no waiting periods and no plan maximums.  These plans tend to have smaller provider networks than traditional dental insurance.  If you are considering a dental discount plan, be sure to check the provider directory to see if the dentist you would like to see accepts the plan.  To look up dentists in a plan’s provider directory, click or tap “Find Provider” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

Some dental insurance plans have caps or limits on the amount a policy pays in a calendar year for qualified dental expenses. These caps are sometimes called the "plan maximum" or "annual benefit maximum amount". Benefit caps, if a plan has one, will typically range from $1,000 - $3,000 per calendar year depending on the plan. To see if a plan has a benefit cap, click or tap “View Details” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

No. Dental discount plans offer a discounted percentage off of qualified dental expenses from participating dentists. Discounts typically range from 10% - 60%.  There are no annual caps or limits to the discounts being offered. To see benefit offerings for any plan, click or tap “View Details” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

Most plans cover cleanings and x-rays as a diagnostic and preventive benefit usually without a waiting period (see “What is a waiting period?” for more information).  To see a full description of what benefits a plan will cover, click or tap “View Details” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

A waiting period is a length of time that begins when you first sign up for a plan that you must wait before certain services are covered. Many dental insurance plans have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months depending on the type of service.  For example, basic services ( e.g., fillings, space maintainers, recementation of crowns, etc.) may have a 6 month waiting period while major services (e.g., extractions, crowns, bridges, etc.) may have a 12 month waiting period.  Preventive services like teeth cleaning and x-rays generally do not have waiting periods and are covered immediately on most plans.  To see if a plan has a waiting period, click or tap "View Details" below a plan's name in the Plan Finder.

Most plans cover major dental procedures.  Major dental procedures may be subject to waiting periods, so be sure to check the plan details for information on types of procedures covered and if waiting periods apply (for an explanation of waiting periods, see "What is a waiting period?"). To check plan details, click or tap “View Details” located below each plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

Braces and orthodontic care are covered by some plans. Be sure to check the plan’s benefit description for information on orthodontic care and if waiting periods apply (for an explanation of waiting periods, see "What is a waiting period?"). To check the plan benefit description, click or tap “View Details” located below each plan’s name in the Plan Finder.

To check if a dentist or eye doctor is in-network for a plan, click or tap “Find Provider” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder. This will open a new page on the plan’s online provider search.  From there, follow the steps to look up in-network providers. 

When you've chosen a plan you would like to enroll in from the Plan Finder, click or tap “Buy Now” below that plan’s name. From there just follow the simple 4 step enrollment process:

Step 1:  Enter your personal and contact information, then click or tap "Save & Continue".

Step 2:  On the next page you will have the option to add dependants. You also have the option to add a vision plan. The benefit of combining dental and vision together means that you only have to pay one enrollment fee which usually equates to a 40% savings compared to enrolling separately. Click or tap “Save & Continue”.

Step 3: Method of payment page. Choose and enter a method of payment (i.e.: credit card or bank draft). Click or tap "Save & Continue".

Step 4: Confirmation page. Click or tap “Submit Payment”. Once processing is finalized, your ID card and summary of benefits will be emailed to you.

Yes. However, you may want to check each plans provider directory to make sure the dentist(s) you would like to see will be in-network. To look up dentists in a plan’s provider directory, click or tap “Find Provider” below a plan’s name in the Plan Finder.