Best Dental Insurance Plan in Each State by Sales

By Insurance Industry Expert & Author
Updated on

In search of the best

Looking for the best dental insurance? Below is a list of the most popular plan from each state based on DentalInsurace.com sales data in 2023.1 We also have articles clarifying the meaning of waiting periods, plan type, or maximum benefit if those terms are unfamiliar to you.

Once you find the best-selling plan in your state, there are additional resources below the table that help shoppers in the dental insurance purchase process.

Questions answered and ready to buy?

Some Trends Among Best Selling Plans

The most common best selling dental plan among the states is Delta Dental’s Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage plan. This plan has no waiting periods on preventive, basic, and major dental care. This was the number one plan in 12 states and also the District of Columbia. Ameritas, however, had more states where one of their plans was the best in DentalInsurance.com sales. Five different plans from Ameritas was the best selling dental insurance in 29. Blue Cross Blue Shield options were also popular with the brand having the top plan in five states.

All but one of the top insurance in each state was a PPO dental plan. 74 percent had a maximum benefit of $2,000 or higher during the first year of enrollment.

What to Watch For When Shopping for Dental Insurance

Because of differences in dentist networks and benefits, there is not a single dental plan on the market that can be objectively called “the best.” This is because the value of a dental plan is affected by the needs of the consumer. The sections below provide basic information that can help you evaluate the value of the dental plans available in your area.

Benefits

Dental benefits are not standardized in the way that medical benefits are standardized in Medicare Advantage plans or Affordable Care Act Plans. In the interests of buying a full coverage dental plan, a consumer should look for the following minimum coverage:

  • Preventive Care (e.g. annual exam teeth cleanings & x-rays)
  • Traditional and White Fillings
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Root Canal Therapy
  • Crown
  • Deep Cleaning
  • Implants

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Price

Price is a very tricky issue in the evaluation of a dental plan. Many experts, including myself, suggest that a consumer focus less on monthly premium alone and more on the total dental expenses the consumer may pay in a year. Total expenses encompass:

  • A full year’s total monthly premiums (i.e. your monthly premium x 12)
  • The deductible and out-of-pocket costs for services the consumer is likely to use in a year
  • Any costs a consumer should expect to pay for expected dental service outside dental insurance coverage or beyond the plan’s maximum benefit

The first question you may ask yourself is “Where can I get all this information?” Insurance company websites as well as DentalInsurance.com provide this information through quoting tools and documents that provide plan details or a Summary of Benefits. If you come across a dental service you expect to get and the plan you are investigating does not cover it, you can get an estimate of its cost using a tool like FAIR Health Consumer.

Below is an example of how a low-premium dental plan can cost a consumer with medium dental service usage more in annual expenses than a high premium plan.

Cost Category Dental Plan A “Low Premium” Dental Plan B “High Premium”
Monthly Premium $20 $50
Total Annual Premiums $240 $600
Annual Deductible $100 $0
2 White Fillings - back tooth $300 $120
Root Canal - Molar $1,000 (Not covered by plan) $400
Total Annual Costs $1,640 $1,120

If you have very healthy teeth and typically use a dental plan only to pay for preventive care then the above analysis is less relevant. However, even in this scenario, there is the matter of unexpected dental events such as chipping a tooth and needing a crown.

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Dentist Network

One of the hardest elements to compare among dental plans is their dental network. Dentists provide dental care, not insurance companies, so the matter of insurance acceptance is very important. In other words, a dental insurance plan is only as good as the dentists that accepts its coverage.

The first thing a consumer should do when evaluating a dental plan is confirm the plan’s acceptance by his or her dentist. If you use an out-of-network dentist, your dental plan might not cover any of the costs (particularly if it is a HMO dental plan or discount dental card). If the consumer does not have a dentist, he or she should use a dentist review website (e.g. HealthGrades, Yelp, 1800Dentist) to identify highly rated dentists in the area and then confirm whether they accept new patients as well as the insurance being considered.

Most Popular Plans by State

State Dental Plan Name Plan Type Max Benefit/Year Waiting Periods?
Alaska Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Alabama Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Arkansas Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Arizona Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
California Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Colorado Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Connecticut Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Platinum PPO $2,000 per enrollee per year. $1,000 lifetime maximum benefit for qualified orthodontic services No waiting period for preventive dental care. Basic dental care has a three-month waiting period before benefits are available. The waiting period for major dental care is six months and orthodontic care has a one year waiting period
Delaware Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
District of Columbia Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Florida Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Georgia Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Hawaii Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Idaho Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Illinois NCD Complete by MetLife PPO $10,000 per person annually with a $3000 annual limit on dental implant care and services None
Indianapolis Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 1500 PPO $1,500 annual limit overall (per enrollee) with a $750 annual limit (per enrollee) for major dental care. Type 1 preventive care is not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Iowa Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Kansas Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Kentucky Delta Dental of Kentucky Bright Smiles PPO $500 maximum benefit in the first year of enrollment, $1,000 in the second, and $1,500 in the third year and after No waiting periods for preventive, basic, and major dental services. There is a 12-month waiting period for orthodontic services.
Louisiana Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Maine Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Maryland Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Massachusetts Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Michigan Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Minnesota Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Missouri Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Mississippi Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Montana Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Nebraska Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Nevada Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
New Hampshire Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Silver PPO $1,000 No waiting period for preventive care. Basic care is covered after three months of enrollment and major care is covered after six months of enrollment
New Jersey Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
New Mexico Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
New York Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive PPO $2,500 annual maximum (per enrollee). $1,000 lifetime maximum (per enrollee) for qualified orthodontic services Coverage for preventive and basic dental services is immediate. There is a 12-month waiting period before coverage for major dental services is available
North Carolina Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
North Dakota Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 1500 PPO $1,500 annual limit overall (per enrollee) with a $750 annual limit (per enrollee) for major dental care. Type 1 preventive care is not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Ohio Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive PPO $2,500 annual maximum (per enrollee). $1,000 lifetime maximum (per enrollee) for qualified orthodontic services None
Oklahoma Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Oregon Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Pennsylvania Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Rhode Island Ameritas Hollywood Mega Smile 2000 Indemnity $2,000 per year overall (per enrollee) with a $1,000 limit per year for major dental care. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted against the plan's maximum benefit None
South Carolina Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier Plus 2000 PPO $2,000 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,000 annual limit for major dental services. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
South Dakota Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None
Tennessee Delta Dental of Tennessee Brighter Advantage PPO There is a $750 annual limit in the first year of enrollment, $1,000 in the second, $1,250 in the third, and $1,500 in the fourth year and later. There is a $1,000 lifetime maximum for orthodontic services No waiting periods delaying the coverage of preventive, basic, and major dental care. After 12 months coverage for orthodontic services is available
Texas Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Utah Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Vermont Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Virginia Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive PPO $2,500 annual maximum (per enrollee). $1,000 lifetime maximum (per enrollee) for qualified orthodontic services None
Washington MetLife TakeAlong Dental High PPO There is a $2,000 maximum benefit per year for each enrollee. There is a $1,000 lifetime maximum for orthodontic services provided to dependent children covered by the plan There are no waiting periods for coverage of preventive and basic care. Coverage of major dental care is available after 12 months
West Virginia Delta Dental Dental for Everyone Immediate Coverage PPO $3,000 per insured person annually for preventive, basic, and major dental care. $300 calendar year maximum for orthodontia and a $1,500 orthodontia lifetime maximum None for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Orthodontic coverage has a 12-month waiting period
Wisconsin Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 PPO $2,500 per year overall (per insured person) with a $1,250 annual limit for major dental care treatments. Preventive services (type 1) are not counted toward the plan's maximum benefit None
Wyoming Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan PPO $1,500 yea in the first year of enrollment, $2,500 in the second year, and $3,000 in the third year (per insured person) None

Based on DentalInsurance.com sales data from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023.

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