Did you know most of our readers prefer DentalInsurance.com for their dental insurance needs?
You probably know there are a number of programs that help low-income households receive health insurance coverage. Did you also know that low income dental insurance also exists?
Here’s Benzinga’s guide to the best dental insurance options for low-income households, so you can get those pearly whites completely covered.
QuickLook: Best Low Income Dental Insurance
- Best for No Annual Maximums: Careington
- Best for Fast Dental Coverage: DentalInsurance.com
- Best for Comparison Shopping: DentalPlans.com
- Best for Combined Plans: Spirit Dental & Vision
- Best for Large Suite of Products: UnitedHealthCare
5 Best Low Income Dental Insurance Providers
Get quotes from Benzinga’s recommended providers for the most personalized results.
1. Best for No Annual Maximums: Careington
Careington isn’t technically insurance — it’s a dental savings plan. Enrolling in a Careington plan allows you access to dental care from participating providers at a reduced cost. You’ll find a large network of participating dentists, immediate coverage and no age limits.
Its 500 Savings Plan is the most popular. This plan offers an average of 20% to 60% off of standard fees for most dental procedures, including routine exams, teeth cleaning for both adults and children and root canals. The 500 Dental Savings Plan also offers 20% off of orthodontics such as braces. And you’ll also receive unlimited access to eDocAmerica, a free email service to ask dentists questions.
- Deductible: None
- Waiting period: None
- States served: All states except Utah, Vermont and Washington
Pros
- Cosmetic services included in some plans
- Cover starts at only $9 per month
- No wait periods
Cons
- Out-of-pocket costs may still be significant
- Limited coverage for orthodontics
- Not available in all states
2. Best for Fast Dental Coverage DentalInsurance.com
DentalInsurance.com makes finding the right dental coverage super easy. Enter some basic information, including your date of birth and ZIP code, to receive quick quotes for several plans in your area.
You can choose among top insurers like Delta Dental, Nationwide, Humana and Guardian Direct. Plan types include PPOs, indemnity plans and dental discount plans.
DentalInsurance.com has excellent customer reviews and extensive educational resources about dental insurance and dental care.
DentalInsurance.com is for comparison shopping because it is a marketplace rather than a provider. It can connect you with dental insurance carriers that best suit your needs and budget.
- Deductible: $50 or more annually depending on the provider
- Waiting period: depends on the provider
- States served: 50 states
Pros
- This aggregator makes it easy for you to find dental insurance in one place
- The platform looks through a massive range of plan types, including platforms that are not just designed to sell dental insurance
- There are a lot of educational resources that will help you understand what you’re looking for in dental insurance
Cons
- This is not a provider, so you will need to research the provider you find, thus prolonging the process
3. Best for Comparison Shopping: DentalPlans.com
Dentalplans.com is a hub for you to search and find a dental savings plan. Dental savings plans are not insurance. But your monthly membership buys you a savings card to present at the dentist of your choice for a percentage off the price of your services.
Dental savings plans can be an affordable alternative to insurance. Your plan works through nationwide network of dentists that offer 10 to 60% savings on preventive and restorative treatments.
Dentalplans.com is the perfect place to find your savings plan. If you find the same dental savings product at a lower cost, call its AtYourService® Team. It will match the price offered by online competitors.
- Deductible: $50 or more annually depending on the provider
- Waiting period: depends on the provider
- States served: 50 states
4. Best for Combined Plans: Spirit Dental & Vision
Spirit Dental & Vision is a nationwide carrier that offers a range of PPO dental insurance plan. Pricing starts at $20 in most regions, and also includes:
- No waiting periods
- Inclusive plans
- Several preventative appointments covered
- Annual maximums up to $5,000
- Some plans even cover orthodontic care
- Option to add vision insurance starting at $7 in most states
You can reach out to spirit at any time to learn more about your coverage options, and you can get dental plans for yourself or your family with ease.
- Deductible: $100 for lifetime
- Waiting period: None
- States served: 50 states
Pros
- Preventative care is readily available
- Because there are no waiting periods, this is a much more functional plan for someone who needs coverage right away
Cons
- Mixing dental and vision plans may not work for some users
5. Best for Large Suit of Products: UnitedHealthcare
If you want to avoid the hassle of claims forms or pay 100% out of pocket for your dental bills, look for a provider that offers direct payments. UnitedHealthcare provides access to a network of more than 85,000 dental offices so you can find the most convenient provider to your location.
It offers coverage for preventive care, fillings, emergency treatments for pain and major services such as root canals. Best of all, UnitedHealthcare pays its in-network dentists directly. This means you can let your dental insurance provider handle the bill upfront instead of waiting for reimbursement.
You can find available UnitedHealthcare dental plans in your area by requesting a quote.
- Deductible: $50 annually
- Waiting period: 4 - 12 months
- States served: 50 states
Pros
- The range of plans makes it easier for you to balance cost and services
- Deductibles are low and capped to keep costs down
Cons
- Long waiting periods could interrupt the care that you need
What is Low Income Dental Insurance?
Low-income dental insurance is designed to help low-income families receive coverage. There are 3 main federally-funded programs that provide free or low-cost health services to low-income households: Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP. Here’s a quick overview of each.
Medicare
If you are 65 years or older or have a disability, you may qualify for limited dental coverage through Medicare. You’ll only receive coverage for dental services involved with another covered procedure. If you qualify for Medicare, you may also want to look into Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and can include more comprehensive dental coverage.
Medicaid
Medicaid is state-run, so the guidelines for eligibility and services vary by state. Most states provide Medicaid dental benefits for people under 21, but if you’re over 21, coverage should be verified within your state. Medicaid also provides limited emergency dental services in many states.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP can provide children up to age 19 with medical coverage, and in some cases, with dental services as well. CHIP services vary from state to state.
Alternatives
There may also be some other ways to receive low-cost dental services:
Dental and Dental Hygiene Schools
Most dental and dental hygiene schools offer low-cost dental treatment to patients. Students can get real-world experience in treating patients at a reduced cost. All procedures performed in these schools are closely supervised by licensed dentists or dental hygienists.
Local Resources
There may be other programs or dental offices in your area that offer free or low-cost services. Call your state or local health department for a referral.
Private Insurance
If you don’t qualify for any of the programs above, your next step is to look into buying private dental insurance. Search the Marketplace for combined health and dental insurance plan. You can purchase both individually, but it can pay to bundle.
Types of Dental Coverage
Get a basic understanding of the types of dental coverage available before you make your decision. Check out 8 of the basic plan types below.
Indemnity Plans
Insurance companies pay a certain percentage of your dental bill and you’re responsible for the remaining costs. Most plans list a maximum amount to be paid for each type of dental procedure.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
A PPO plan works with a specific network of dentists. This type of plan requires the participating dentists to offer services for a set fee. If you have a PPO, visit dentists that participate with your insurance plan to avoid paying more for dental services if they go above your maximum allowance.
Table or Schedule of Allowances
Each dental procedure has a set dollar amount covered by your insurance company. You are responsible for paying the remaining balance beyond that amount. However, you can pair this with a PPO plan to receive maximum coverage.
Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs)
Like PPO plans, EPOs work within a network of participating dentists, and you only receive coverage if you visit an in-network dentist.
Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMOs)/Capitation Plans
These dental plans have contracts with certain dentists. You’ll be assigned to a dentist and the dentist will receive a certain amount each month to cover specific dental services. Your dentist must provide the services they are contracted to perform at no cost or reduced cost to you.
Direct Reimbursement (DR)
This plan is ideal if you prefer to have the freedom to visit any dentist that you want, regardless of whether or not they are in-network. These plans will reimburse you for a percentage of your dental bills after you paid for your visit. Some direct reimbursement plans don’t require you to complete claims forms or processing, while others need a receipt or other proof of treatment. Each direct reimbursement plan is different; read the fine print before you enroll.
Point-of-Service Plans
These plans usually reimburse you for your dental procedures based on its table of allowances for services. It also offers a network of participating providers. To receive the maximum amount of reimbursement, visit an in-network provider. If you visit a dentist who is not in-network, you may receive less reimbursement.
Discount or Referral
This is a common option if you need affordable dental insurance. Insurance companies can create a contract with a network of participating dentists. If you are a member of a discount or referral plan, you can receive discounted dental services with the participating dentists. You pay the discounted cost directly to your dentist, and there is no need to fill out any claims forms with the insurance company.
Average Cost of Low Income Dental Insurance
A dental insurance plan averages $360 per year for an individual. You may qualify for any of the programs mentioned in this article and eligible for cheaper dental coverage.
What to Look for in a Dental Insurance Provider
When choosing a dental provider, it’s important to consider a few factors:
- The types of plans you qualify for
- Plans that best fit your budget
- The services covered by each plan
Before you shop, think about the dental services you need throughout the next year and get quotes from various providers.
Find Dental Coverage Today
Low-income dental insurance options are within your reach. Know what’s available in your area, weigh your options, determine your eligibility and seek out quotes for the dental insurance that is right for you and your household.
Start with our recommended dental insurance providers and get a free quote now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some low income dental insurance options?
Several of the options available include CHIP, Medicare and Medicaid.
What are the average monthly costs for dental insurance?
The prices range from $15 to $50 per month.
Can I enroll in low income dental insurance at any time?
Some low income dental insurance plans may have enrollment periods or open enrollment periods where individuals or families can sign up for coverage.
Dental Insurance Methodology
To determine the best dental insurance providers, we pored through all United States carriers. We winnowed the list by only including companies that have a wide coverage area and product offering. To further break down the list to the true best dental insurance providers, we gave weight to carriers that offer discounts, are available in all states and have multiple payment plan options.
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About Ashley Hart
Ashley Hart is a personal finance writer passionate about helping people feel empowered to take control of their finances. She has more than eight years of writing experience, focused on insurance.