Updated: May 22, 2024
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On average, people spend between $20 and $50 per month on dental insurance premiums, with annual estimates ranging from $240 to $600. However, dental insurance costs also include co-insurance, copayments for specific treatments, annual maximums (the coverage limit per year) and deductibles. Your marketplace dental plan may have a maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cost limit, but this usually only applies to children.
The average cost of dental insurance can range from $8 to $100 per month, depending on factors such as plan type, benefits and location.
Dental insurance policies often have coverage limitations and exclusions, such as waiting periods, deductibles, copayments and annual maximums.
If you don't have dental insurance or want additional options, alternatives include dental discount plans, self-pay options, community clinics and government programs like Medicaid.
Why trust MoneyGeek? We collected dental insurance data directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) exchange data to find average dental insurance costs.
Marketplace plan data was updated and released in October for the 2023 enrollment period.
Dental insurance costs vary significantly based on location, with factors like regional health care expenses and market dynamics influencing rates. We found that Alaska has the highest dental insurance rates, with an average monthly cost of $50, while West Virginia has the lowest average at $18 per month. These averages can fluctuate depending on the type of coverage — such as preventative versus full coverage — and factors like individual versus family plans.
| AK | Average Premium$50 | Average Annual Cost$599 | Average Deductible $50 |
| AL | Average Premium$21 | Average Annual Cost$256 | Average Deductible $52 |
| AR | Average Premium$30 | Average Annual Cost$357 | Average Deductible $51 |
| AZ | Average Premium$29 | Average Annual Cost$342 | Average Deductible $90 |
| DE | Average Premium$29 | Average Annual Cost$349 | Average Deductible $85 |
| FL | Average Premium$23 | Average Annual Cost$277 | Average Deductible $59 |
| GA | Average Premium$24 | Average Annual Cost$285 | Average Deductible $63 |
| HI | Average Premium$34 | Average Annual Cost$411 | Average Deductible $48 |
Marketplace dental insurance plans typically fall into one of the following plan types: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Point of Service (POS), Indemnity and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO).
Dental insurance plans may also be categorized by metal level, similar to health insurance plans. Precious metal plans (such as Gold or Platinum) generally have more expensive premiums but offer more comprehensive coverage with lower deductibles and MOOP costs. Lower metal-tier plans (such as Bronze or Silver) have cheaper premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
| HMO | Average Monthly Cost$19 | Average Annual Cost$223 | Average Deductible$17 |
| EPO | Average Monthly Cost$20 | Average Annual Cost$244 | Average Deductible$50 |
| PPO | Average Monthly Cost$27 | Average Annual Cost$323 | Average Deductible$60 |
| Indemnity | Average Monthly Cost$37 | Average Annual Cost$440 | Average Deductible$54 |
If you don't want dental insurance, you can simply pay out of pocket for any services you receive. The following average costs of common dental procedures can help you estimate what you'll pay without insurance:
MoneyGeek found affordable average dental insurance premiums from the following providers:
Remember that premiums are just one part of your dental insurance expenses. Look at the deductible, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximum to get a fuller picture of a plan's total cost.
| Solstice Benefits | Average Monthly Cost$16 | Average Annual Cost$194 | Average Deductible$36 |
| DentaQuest Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost$16 | Average Annual Cost$197 | Average Deductible$58 |
| MetLife Insurance | Average Monthly Cost$17 | Average Annual Cost$205 | Average DeductibleNo Data |
| EMI Health | Average Monthly Cost$18 | Average Annual Cost$216 | Average Deductible$68 |
| ProMedica | Average Monthly Cost$18 | Average Annual Cost$219 | Average Deductible$25 |
| Guardian | Average Monthly Cost$20 | Average Annual Cost$239 | Average Deductible$67 |
| Humana Inc. | Average Monthly Cost$22 | Average Annual Cost$264 | Average Deductible$45 |
| Dental Health Services | Average Monthly Cost$24 | Average Annual Cost$284 | Average DeductibleNo Data |
Dental insurance providers use a fee schedule to determine the costs of various dental procedures and out-of-pocket expenses such as co-insurance, copayments, deductibles and annual maximums. These UCR ("usual, customary and reasonable") fees are adjusted based on the expected cost of services in a particular area.
An area's cost of living, average prices at other dental offices, materials used, laboratory fees, number of appointments required and the treatment category all factor into the "usual" cost of services. The dentist determines the "reasonable" rate, while the dental insurance company decides the "customary" amount. These rates must align to ensure that your dental insurance policy adequately covers your required treatment.
Premium
Dental insurance premiums are the monthly fees you pay to maintain your coverage. They vary depending on the insurance plan and can range from $8 to around $100.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Dental insurance deductibles typically range from $25 to $100 per year.
Copayment
Copayments are fixed amounts you pay when you receive dental services. These costs vary depending on the procedure, with standard copays ranging from $10 to $50 per visit.
Co-insurance
Co-insurance refers to the percentage of costs you're responsible for paying after you meet the deductible. For example, if your plan's co-insurance is 20%, you'll pay only 20% of the total cost for services rendered (your insurance covers the remaining 80%).
Annual maximum
The annual maximum is the most your insurance will cover within a year. If you reach this limit, you'll be responsible for covering the cost of dental treatments until the policy year rolls over. Annual maximums typically range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Maximum out of pocket (MOOP)
The maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit is the most you'll pay in a year for covered services. Once this limit is reached, your insurance covers 100% of service costs. MOOPs for marketplace dental plans average between $350 and $375. However, these often only apply to children on the plan, not adults.
The average cost of dental insurance for job-based and public plans varies according to the type of coverage and the provider. Employer-sponsored insurance typically costs less than a self-purchased plan. Government-sponsored dental benefits depend on income level and your state of residence.
Employee-sponsored dental insurance costs can vary depending on the employer's contribution. Some employers cover all or part of your dental insurance premiums as part of the employment package. Even if employees pay the full cost, it's often discounted from group plan savings, making it more affordable than individual plans.
Approximately half of Medicare beneficiaries lack dental insurance. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care (except in cases where dental treatment is considered medically necessary).
However, Medicare Advantage plans do often include dental coverage. For basic dental procedures like fillings, extractions and root canals, a standard co-insurance rate is 50%. Annual maximums — typically ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 — are typical, which means seniors may still have out-of-pocket expenses even with dental insurance.
Dental service coverage under Medicaid is state-dependent. Medicaid is mandated to cover dental services for individuals under 21, but coverage for adults varies widely among states, ranging from emergency dental services to comprehensive coverage.
We answered common questions about the cost of dental insurance to help you make informed decisions about your oral health coverage.
The average cost of dental insurance varies depending on factors such as plan type, benefits and location. Generally, dental insurance averages around $30 per month.
Yes, it's possible to receive dental care without insurance. Many dentists offer self-pay options, and there are also dental discount plans and community clinics that provide affordable or even free dental services.
The least expensive dental plan type depends on individual needs and preferences. However, HMO plans are often considered more cost-effective due to their lower premiums and predetermined copayments.
Dental insurance costs around $30 per month on average. However, some plans start at $8 monthly, whereas others are closer to $100. The actual cost may vary depending on the insurance provider, plan type, coverage level and location.
About Brenna Kelly
Brenna Kelly, the former Health Insurance Content Manager at MoneyGeek, is a licensed health insurance agent and real estate associate. She is qualified to provide expert insight and advice on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Kelly has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida. She uses her content production experience and health insurance expertise to deliver informative articles.
