How Much Is Dental Insurance? (2024)


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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.

Key Takeaways

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.

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Marketplace plan data was updated and released in October for the 2023 enrollment period.

Dental Insurance Costs by State

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.

Average Cost of Dental Insurance by State
AKAverage Premium$50Average Annual Cost$599Average Deductible $50
ALAverage Premium$21Average Annual Cost$256Average Deductible $52
ARAverage Premium$30Average Annual Cost$357Average Deductible $51
AZAverage Premium$29Average Annual Cost$342Average Deductible $90
DEAverage Premium$29Average Annual Cost$349Average Deductible $85
FLAverage Premium$23Average Annual Cost$277Average Deductible $59
GAAverage Premium$24Average Annual Cost$285Average Deductible $63
HIAverage Premium$34Average Annual Cost$411Average Deductible $48
IAAverage Premium$32Average Annual Cost$379Average Deductible $48
ILAverage Premium$22Average Annual Cost$260Average Deductible $65
INAverage Premium$24Average Annual Cost$292Average Deductible $49
KSAverage Premium$25Average Annual Cost$298Average Deductible $61
LAAverage Premium$28Average Annual Cost$330Average Deductible $55
MIAverage Premium$28Average Annual Cost$340Average Deductible $47
MOAverage Premium$23Average Annual Cost$282Average Deductible $56
MSAverage Premium$25Average Annual Cost$306Average Deductible $57
MTAverage Premium$37Average Annual Cost$446Average Deductible $57
NCAverage Premium$29Average Annual Cost$351Average Deductible $69
NDAverage Premium$40Average Annual Cost$486Average Deductible $63
NEAverage Premium$27Average Annual Cost$325Average Deductible $56
NHAverage Premium$27Average Annual Cost$326Average Deductible $49
OHAverage Premium$28Average Annual Cost$333Average Deductible $52
OKAverage Premium$27Average Annual Cost$330Average Deductible $55
ORAverage Premium$34Average Annual Cost$410Average Deductible $59
SCAverage Premium$26Average Annual Cost$312Average Deductible $57
SDAverage Premium$31Average Annual Cost$375Average Deductible $63
TNAverage Premium$21Average Annual Cost$246Average Deductible $61
TXAverage Premium$25Average Annual Cost$299Average Deductible $75
UTAverage Premium$27Average Annual Cost$328Average Deductible $44
VAAverage Premium$23Average Annual Cost$276Average Deductible $59
WIAverage Premium$26Average Annual Cost$307Average Deductible $60
WVAverage Premium$18Average Annual Cost$218Average Deductible $45
WYAverage Premium$31Average Annual Cost$367Average Deductible $63

Dental Insurance Costs by Plan Type

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).

  • PPO plans feature a wider network of dentists and offer flexibility in choosing providers both in and out of the network. They usually have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs.
  • HMO plans require you to choose a primary dentist from inside the plan's network and often have lower premiums. Referrals are necessary for seeing specialists, and out-of-network coverage is either limited or not included.
  • POS plans combine aspects of both HMO and PPO plans, allowing individuals to choose between in-network and out-of-network care. Referrals are typically required for specialists. However, no POS dental insurance plans were available in the 2023 marketplace.
  • Indemnity plans offer the greatest freedom in choosing dentists and have no network restrictions. They reimburse a percentage of dental treatment costs, but premiums can be pricier.
  • EPO plans limit coverage to in-network providers only, offering lower premiums than PPO plans but without the option to see out-of-network dentists.

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.

Average Cost of Dental Insurance by Plan Type
HMOAverage Monthly Cost$19Average Annual Cost$223Average Deductible$17
EPOAverage Monthly Cost$20Average Annual Cost$244Average Deductible$50
PPOAverage Monthly Cost$27Average Annual Cost$323Average Deductible$60
IndemnityAverage Monthly Cost$37Average Annual Cost$440Average Deductible$54
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AVERAGE COST OF DENTAL WORK WITHOUT INSURANCE

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:

  • Routine dental cleaning: $100
  • X-rays: $146
  • Tooth filling (amalgam): $148 per tooth
  • Tooth extraction: $200 per tooth
  • Root canal treatment (molar tooth): $1,000
  • Dental crown: $1,288
  • Dental bridge (per unit): $2,000–5,000
  • Complete dentures: $2,000
  • Braces: $3,000–7,000 (varies depending on material and duration)

Top Dental Provider Costs

MoneyGeek found affordable average dental insurance premiums from the following providers:

  • Solstice Benefits: $16 per month
  • DentaQuest: $16 per month
  • MetLife: $17 per month
  • EMI Health: $18 per month

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.

Average Dental Insurance Costs by Provider
Solstice BenefitsAverage Monthly Cost$16Average Annual Cost$194Average Deductible$36
DentaQuest Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Cost$16Average Annual Cost$197Average Deductible$58
MetLife InsuranceAverage Monthly Cost$17Average Annual Cost$205Average DeductibleNo Data
EMI HealthAverage Monthly Cost$18Average Annual Cost$216Average Deductible$68
ProMedicaAverage Monthly Cost$18Average Annual Cost$219Average Deductible$25
GuardianAverage Monthly Cost$20Average Annual Cost$239Average Deductible$67
Humana Inc.Average Monthly Cost$22Average Annual Cost$264Average Deductible$45
Dental Health ServicesAverage Monthly Cost$24Average Annual Cost$284Average DeductibleNo Data
Cigna HealthcareAverage Monthly Cost$24Average Annual Cost$294Average Deductible$150
Chorus Community Health PlansAverage Monthly Cost$24Average Annual Cost$294Average Deductible$67
Dominion NationalAverage Monthly Cost$25Average Annual Cost$298Average Deductible$86
Blue Cross Blue ShieldAverage Monthly Cost$25Average Annual Cost$303Average Deductible$47
Principal Life Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Cost$29Average Annual Cost$348Average DeductibleNo Data
Renaissance DentalAverage Monthly Cost$29Average Annual Cost$353Average Deductible$49
DENCAP Dental Plans, IncAverage Monthly Cost$30Average Annual Cost$358Average Deductible$0
Retailers Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Cost$31Average Annual Cost$368Average DeductibleNo Data
Delta DentalAverage Monthly Cost$32Average Annual Cost$388Average Deductible$53
BEST LifeAverage Monthly Cost$33Average Annual Cost$395Average Deductible$65
Medical MutualAverage Monthly Cost$34Average Annual Cost$403Average DeductibleNo Data
Kaiser PermanenteAverage Monthly Cost$38Average Annual Cost$460Average Deductible$75
PacificSource Health PlansAverage Monthly Cost$42Average Annual Cost$500Average Deductible$50
Unum DentalAverage Monthly Cost$42Average Annual Cost$504Average DeductibleNo Data
Compare Health Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your health insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Dental Insurance Costs Explained

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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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%).

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    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.

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    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.

Employee and Public Plan Dental Insurance Costs

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.

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Job-Based Insurance

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.

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Medicare

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.

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Medicaid

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Insurance Costs

We answered common questions about the cost of dental insurance to help you make informed decisions about your oral health coverage.

What is the average cost of dental insurance?
Can I get dental care without insurance?
Which dental plan type is the least expensive?
How much does dental insurance cost per month?

About Brenna Kelly


Brenna Kelly headshot

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.


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