How to Buy a Dental Plan
If your employer doesn’t offer a dental plan, if you are a part-time or seasonal worker, if you are retired or if you just choose to purchase on your own, we have a dental plan that is likely to fit your unique dental needs and budget. Let's get started!
Evaluate Your Needs
Everyone has different health needs – including you and the dependents (often family members) covered under your plan. Individuals with risk factors, such as tobacco use or prior cavities, will have different needs. And families with children will likely need to consider different dental care needs than an older couple or a young individual.
Do you match any of the below?
First-time buyers
You usually face fewer oral health challenges, but it’s still important to have a dental plan in case unexpected dental work is needed.
Head of household
You are more likely to have a family, or to be considering starting one soon. You will need a plan that covers you, your spouse and your children.
Retiree
You may have retired from your job, but it’s important not to retire from your dental benefits.
Know the Plan’s Value
Not only do dental benefits save you money by lowering the cost of dental treatments and sharing expenses with the carrier, but you can save even more money by using an in-network dentist.
Bonus: Studies have shown that people who have dental benefits are more likely to go to the dentist, and people who visit the dentist regularly are more likely to report a healthy mouth and better overall well-being than those who don’t.
Compare Coverage
What plan best suits your financial needs? Look at the deductible and copays for varying levels of care, as well as the different premiums.
Understand Enhanced Benefits
In addition to typical coverage, some carriers offer enhanced benefits. Enhanced benefits provide extra oral health care for people who may benefit from additional dental services due to specific health conditions. For example, people with diabetes, heart conditions or oral cancer may benefit from additional cleanings to help maintain their overall health. Some dental plans may also include add-ons, such as orthodontic benefits.
How to Buy a Dental Plan
If your employer doesn’t offer a dental plan, if you are a part-time or seasonal worker, if you are retired or if you just choose to purchase on your own, we have a dental plan that is likely to fit your unique dental needs and budget. Let's get started!
Evaluate Your Needs
Everyone has different health needs – including you and the dependents (often family members) covered under your plan. Individuals with risk factors, such as tobacco use or prior cavities, will have different needs. And families with children will likely need to consider different dental care needs than an older couple or a young individual.
Do you match any of the below?
First-time buyers
You usually face fewer oral health challenges, but it’s still important to have a dental plan in case unexpected dental work is needed.
Head of household
You are more likely to have a family, or to be considering starting one soon. You will need a plan that covers you, your spouse and your children.
Retiree
You may have retired from your job, but it’s important not to retire from your dental benefits.
Know the Plan’s Value
Not only do dental benefits save you money by lowering the cost of dental treatments and sharing expenses with the carrier, but you can save even more money by using an in-network dentist.
Bonus: Studies have shown that people who have dental benefits are more likely to go to the dentist, and people who visit the dentist regularly are more likely to report a healthy mouth and better overall well-being than those who don’t.
Compare Coverage
What plan best suits your financial needs? Look at the deductible and copays for varying levels of care, as well as the different premiums.
Understand Enhanced Benefits
In addition to typical coverage, some carriers offer enhanced benefits. Enhanced benefits provide extra oral health care for people who may benefit from additional dental services due to specific health conditions. For example, people with diabetes, heart conditions or oral cancer may benefit from additional cleanings to help maintain their overall health. Some dental plans may also include add-ons, such as orthodontic benefits.
Dental Networks Explained
One of the best ways to get the most value out of your dental coverage is to visit a dentist who participates in your plan’s network. In the dental insurance industry, we refer to these dentists as participating or in-network dentists. In-network dentists agree to provide you services at discounted rates and file all claim forms for you.
We offer multiple dentist networks for accessing care. However, the majority of our plans come with access to our Delta Dental PPO™ or Delta Dental Premier® network. The network you should use depends on your plan’s coverage.
Choosing The Right Dentist For You
Whether you’ve moved to a new city, switched insurance providers, or are just looking for a new dentist, it can feel tricky to know where to start. Here are a few key factors to consider when starting your decision-making process:
Your Network
Seeing an in-network dentist will save you the most out-of-pocket costs.
There are easy ways to make sure the dentists you’re looking at are a part of your dental network: You can start with our Find a Dentist tool, call the dental office to make sure, or call the number on the back of your ID card. Whether you’re searching online or talking to a customer service representative, understanding your options will help you narrow the pool from every dentist in the city to a manageable list.
Click here to use our Find a Dentist Tool.
Not sure what network is offered by your dental plan? The network your dental plan utilizes is listed on your ID card and in your benefit booklet. You may also call customer service.
Convenience
Not having enough time is one of the top reasons people forego dental care in the U.S. It may seem like a no-brainer, but finding a dentist whose location and hours fit into your everyday life will save you time and hassle in the long run. Keep in mind that “close to home” doesn’t necessarily mean more convenient! Think about your daily routine, like heading to work or taking the kids to school, to help identify the locations that will be easiest for you to get to.
Comfort Level
In the same way you wouldn’t walk into a car dealership and buy the first car you saw, doing some research before you make your first appointment with a new dentist will help you to be confident in your choice. Many clinics allow new patients to schedule a consultation before booking an official appointment so that you can see the office and meet your future dental team.
The ideal patient-dentist relationship is both positive and long-lasting. While heading in for dental work might not top your list of favorite pastimes, having a care team you like, trust and are able to see regularly makes it easier to keep your teeth healthy and clean for years to come.
Find a Dentist
Our Find a Dentist tool makes it easy to find an in-network dentist near you. Need some extra help navigating the tool? We have a tutorial.
Find a Dentist Tutorial
Using Your Benefits
You’ve enrolled in your dental plan. What now? Here are some suggestions on what to expect with your new plan and also how you can get the most out of it.
ID Cards
After you have completed your enrollment, your ID card will be mailed to you. Use this when you visit the dentist. ID cards include your unique member ID number. You will want to ensure your dentist has the most current version of your card to ensure your claims get paid quickly and accurately. On the back of the ID card you will find the phone number for customer service, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.
How to Read a Benefit Summary or Booklet
Your benefit booklet is a review of the procedures and services that are covered under your plan, how often they are covered, and at what benefit level. You should receive this summary in the mail shortly after you sign up for your plan, and you should keep it for your reference.
You can also find a summary of your plan on our member portal.
Manage Your Account
The secure member portal allows you to easily manage your account, view your benefits information, check your claims, order replacement ID cards and more! On the portal, you can:
- Manage your account
- View you benefits information
- Check your claims
- Order replacement ID cards
- And more!
Manage your account here.
How to Read an EOB
After you see a dentist, you may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) in the mail.
What is an EOB?
Glossary of Dental Insurance Terms
Insurance terms decoded! Terminology associated with dental insurance can be confusing. We created a glossary of common dental jargon to help you navigate terms you may encounter: