2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
BEST DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS
2017 Review: Finding Affordable & Reliable Dental Insurance Plans
Brushing and flossing are great ways to maintain oral hygiene and health at home, but visiting the dentist for cleanings and check-ups is a vital piece of oral health. Of course, a trip to the dentist is rarely cheap, much less enjoyable.
Here enters the importance of dental insurance plans: they pay for a significant portion of expenses associated with preventative care, like cleanings, check-ups, and X-rays.
The problem is that, even with the Affordable Care Act, health insurance providers may still be quoting too high for most individuals and families. In fact, 25 percent of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of cost.
Affordable and reliable dental insurance quotes make it possible to have the best dental insurance coverage without breaking the bank.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Dental Insurance Quotes
Simply knowing that affordable dental insurance plans exist is one thing; researching and finding dental insurance quotes is entirely different.
When looking to compare dental insurance providers, there are plenty of sites that advertise best dental insurance overviews and options. Sifting through dental insurance plans can be strenuous and, at times, overwhelming.
To streamline the process, we have outlined the six best sites to compare dental insurance prices and plans. While some of these sites act as search engines to compare dental plans, others are direct providers of dental insurance quotes.
The common element between these best dental insurance sites is that they all offer ways to compare dental insurance, providing consumers with the knowledge they need to find the best dental insurance coverage.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Dental Insurance Sites
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the dental insurance websites below to go directly to the detailed review section for that website):
Top 6 Best Dental Insurance Sites | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Best Dental Insurance Sites | Total Plans | Average Discounts (%) | Network Size | Database? |
Delta Dental | 6 | 20 | 142,000+ dentists | No |
:DentalPlans | 30+ | 10-60 | 100,000+ dentists | Yes |
eHealthInsurance | 800+ | N/A | 270+ carriers | Yes |
HealthMarkets | N/A | N/A | 180+ carriers | Yes |
Humana | 4+ | 20-40 | 1,000+ dentists | No |
PolicyGenius | N/A | N/A | 100+ carriers | Yes |
Table: Top 6 Best Dental Insurance Quotes | Above list is sorted alphabetically
Connections Between Oral Health & Overall Health
Chances are fairly high that you’ve already heard about the benefits of great oral and dental hygiene: it prevents bad breath, shields against tooth decay, and fights off gum disease. Ultimately, great oral health keeps teeth intact longer, making a compelling argument for dental insurance plans.
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It’s a well-known fact that those who do not buy dental insurance visit the dentist less often. Without top dental insurance coverage, preventative maintenance is simply not affordable.
Unfortunately, without access to the opportunities provided through dental insurance plans, those without coverage may be damaging more than their oral health.
A clean, healthy mouth is connected to overall well-being in some interesting and surprising ways. In fact, over 90 percent of all systemic diseases show their first warning signs through oral complications.
Consider the following ailments that can be discovered through the condition of teeth and gums:
- HIV/AIDS: Signaled by hormones or antibodies in saliva
- Diabetes: Connected to gum disease and dry mouth
- Cardiovascular disease: Gingivitis may contribute to blood clots and clogged arteries
There are also significant health risks that stem from unhealthy teeth and gums. Using the best dental insurance toward preventative maintenance can protect against:
- Gingivitis: A periodontal infection that creates irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums
- Periodontitis: A serious form of gingivitis that damages soft tissues and destroys bone
- Trench mouth: More common in developing countries, this oral infection causes bleeding and painful ulcerations
Each one of these conditions can not only contribute to tooth decay and loss, but as infections, they can spread harmful bacteria throughout the body.
Clinical trials have even suggested that periodontal disease may be connected to pregnancy complications, like premature birth and fetal growth restrictions.
With this perspective, finding the best dental insurance is not only an investment in oral health, but in overall health as well.
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Tips for Researching & Evaluating Dental Insurance Plans
If our top dental insurance picks don’t fit the bill, you may be inclined to perform your own research. When trying to compare dental insurance plans, there are a few expert tips that can make the search for the best dental plans a painless, productive process.
Image Source: Pixabay
Research Your Area
Before finding dental insurance plans, it may be helpful to understand the cost of procedures. Using the FAIR Health Consumer Cost Lookup or a Dental Cost Estimator can provide region-specific estimates on procedural costs.
Looking at the cost of dental procedures can provide guidance when searching for dental insurance quotes. The best dental insurance for you may be comprehensive or simply for preventative procedures, depending upon average out-of-pocket cost.
Be Aware of Restrictions
Even best dental insurance comes with restrictions on which offices will accept specific plans. When looking to compare dental insurance, be aware of restrictions.
If there is a dentist in your area that you prefer using, it might be worthwhile to speak with them about what coverages they accept before you buy dental insurance.
Evaluate Waiting Periods
Some dental insurance plans have a waiting period, meaning the insured must wait a certain amount of time before using their dental insurance. When sorting through dental insurance quotes, waiting periods should also be taken into consideration.
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Dental Insurance Sites
Below, please find a detailed review of each site on our list of sites to compare dental insurance. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these dental insurance plans to score so highly in our selection ranking.
Delta Dental Review
With 74 million enrollees, Delta Dental is a veritable force among best dental insurance providers.
Although the website does not allow users to compare dental plans outside of Delta Dental, their competitive dental insurance quotes make Delta Dental one of the top dental insurance providers.
Most dental insurance quotes come from these primary plans:
With 80 percent of dentists in Delta Dental Premier®, this is the largest national network. For those who want to buy dental insurance with the security of having a wide range of dentists to choose from, these are great dental insurance plans to consider.
These are among the best dental plans to consider, based upon deeper discounts and the option to include Premier® network dentists.
As a DHMO plan, dental insurance quotes within this network will typically come at lowered costs. Preventative care can come at minimal or no cost, making DeltaCare® USA great dental insurance for seniors or young families.
In fact, those looking for affordable dental plans for seniors may want to give Delta Dental a second look. They underwrite the AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, one of the best options for dental insurance for seniors.
With an average discount of 20.3 percent, Delta Dental is one of the top dental insurance providers for affordable dental insurance plans.
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:DentalPlans Review
With a database of over 30 dental insurance plans to choose from, :DentalPlans is a powerful tool for those who want to compare dental insurance plans.
Dental insurance quotes from :DentalPlans are dental savings plans, rather than traditional insurance agreements. Instead of paying deductibles and co-pays, members receive discounted rates for service and pay out of pocket.
While it may not be a traditional method of searching for the best dental plans, opting for dental savings plans may make more financial sense for some.
These dental insurance quotes come with the following benefits:
- Savings of 10-60 percent on most dental procedures
- No waiting periods: Most plans activate in three days
- No restrictions on pre-existing conditions
- Discounts on specialist care
- No annual limit on care
Part of what makes :DentalPlans a great resource to compare dental insurance plans is that the site allows for two search methods. Users can:
- Search by procedure: Find the plan with the biggest savings on specific dental work (like crowns, root canals, or braces).
- Search by dentist: See what plans are accepted by nearby dentists, or a specific dentist you prefer.
Using :DentalPlans to find best dental insurance may be unconventional, but the dental insurance quotes offered through :DentalPlans plans offer valuable savings.
eHealthInsurance Review
With individual plans starting as low as $10.29 a month, those who are looking for best dental insurance with the lowest dental insurance quotes will be happy to find eHealthInsurance.
As the first provider of internet-based health insurance, eHealthInsurance has a wealth of experience in creating ways for users to compare dental plans online.
What makes eHealthInsurance rank so highly is that they make searching for best dental insurance into a simple, fluid process. Simply enter your sex, birthdate, and zip code of residence to compare dental plans from top health insurance providers.
For example, searching for dental insurance plans for a 30-year old woman in North Carolina provides 20 different plans ranging from $16-$62 each month.
As an additional benefit, eHealthInsurance makes it easy to compare dental insurance. Simply check “Compare,” and eHealthInsurance creates a comprehensive table to compare dental plans.
Source Image: eHealthInsurance
The comparison table shows a detailed, side-by-side display of selected dental insurance quotes, including deductible, plan type, coinsurance, annual maximum benefit, and more.
For those who want to compare dental insurance across a wide range of prices, providers, and benefits, eHealthInsurance is a great resource.
HealthMarkets Review
With a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating, HealthMarkets is one of the largest — and most popular — independent insurance agencies. They represent over 200 insurance companies, providing a searchable database with thousands of options for health, vision, and dental insurance plans.
HealthMarkets is a competitive force among best dental insurance sites, particularly because it combines online convenience with personal assistance. Those who prefer to compare dental insurance online can easily do so.
For those who prefer face-to-face interaction, HealthMarkets has over 200 offices and 3,000 agents across the country.
Regardless of how you choose to search and compare dental insurance, HealthMarkets offers 24/7 customer assistance via phone to answer any questions that users may have throughout the process.
Not only does HealthMarkets make searching for dental insurance quotes online easy, but it also provides valuable resources for users to educate themselves about how to find best dental insurance deals.
For those looking for dental insurance for seniors, HealthMarkets also provides information on Medicare limitations and supplements, making it a great resource to find the best dental plans for seniors.
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Humana Review
As an innovative and dynamic insurance provider, Humana has won multiple awards in recognition of their commitment to excellence in service, products, and company culture.
When choosing between dental insurance quotes, there are three generalized options:
- Full coverage dental insurance plans: These include premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.
- Supplemental dental insurance plans: For those looking for dental plans for seniors to supplement Medicare coverage, Humana offers seven supplemental plans.
- Discount dental insurance plans: Instead of committing to monthly insurance, membership in these types of savings plans allows for discounted dental services.
In a search for dental insurance plans for a 30-year old woman in North Carolina, Humana provides three options. Just like eHealthInsurance, users can compare dental insurance products through a generated table, making it easy to see the benefits of each plan.
Another benefit of using Humana to search for dental insurance plans comes from combining dental and vision coverage. Humana offers both types of coverage and provides discounts on enrollment fees when the two are bundled together.
For those who want to compare dental insurance and have options for bundling vision, Humana is a best dental insurance site to consider using.
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PolicyGenius Review
PolicyGenius seeks to provide a simple and comprehensive means to search and compare dental insurance online.
Their commitment to focus on customer needs and eliminate confusion makes them a best dental insurance site for those who are inexperienced at purchasing dental insurance plans.
Source Image: PolicyGenius
Users can search both public and private marketplace dental insurance plans through PolicyGenius, creating a comprehensive search tool that has been highlighted in The New York Times.
Simply input your zip code and your age to compare dental insurance in your area. A nice feature of PolicyGenius is that it immediately displays the total amount of available dental insurance plans and carriers based on zip code.
For example, a zip code search for dental insurance quotes in 28411 (North Carolina) reveals 14 total plans from 1 carrier. Users can then establish their health priorities and compare dental insurance policies to find best dental insurance policies.
With a colorful, user-friendly display and a commitment to making dental insurance quotes accessible and readable, PolicyGenius is one of the top sites to find great dental insurance plans.
Conclusion – Top 6 Best Dental Insurance Sites
When it comes to your personal well-being, preventative maintenance is one of the most important steps to ensure long-lasting health.
Dental insurance quotes can cover basic dental needs, like cleanings, oral exams, fillings, and X-rays, which makes dental insurance plans a large part of maintaining good health.
Sites that allow users to compare dental insurance policies are important tools for anyone who is looking for best dental insurance policies. Top-rated sites also include educational tools and detailed information about dental insurance plans.
Dental fees have risen by 20 percent in the past decade, making both financial and service-oriented considerations crucial parts of finding best dental insurance.
With great dental insurance plans, preventative maintenance can become both affordable and beneficial, ensuring a healthy future.
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