Top 10 Best Dental Insurance Providers for Individuals (U.S.)
Finding the right dental insurance can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. You want a plan that fits your budget, covers the treatments you need, and doesn't leave you guessing about hidden costs or restrictions. Some plans focus on preventive care, making sure your routine checkups and cleanings are completely covered, while others provide extensive benefits for major procedures like crowns, root canals, and even orthodontics. With different pricing structures, network sizes, and coverage limits, it's important to know what each provider brings to the table.Maybe you're looking for a plan with no waiting periods, so you can get coverage right away. Or you might be after a policy that offers high annual limits, so expensive procedures won't drain your wallet. Some people prioritize a large dentist network, ensuring they won't have to switch providers, while others focus on extra perks like discounts on vision care or pharmacy benefits. No matter what matters most to you, this list can help you compare top choices and see which ones stand out.
If you've ever struggled to find a dentist that takes your insurance or been hit with unexpected out-of-pocket costs, you know how frustrating it can be. That's why having the right plan matters. You don't want to be caught off guard when you need care the most. By voting for the options you think deserve recognition, you can highlight the providers that truly make dental care accessible and affordable. So take a look, share your thoughts, and see what others have found to be the best choices for dental coverage.
The Top Ten
Delta Dental
Delta Dental is the largest dental insurer in the U.S., covering over 80 million Americans.
It has the nation's biggest network of dentists, with around 152,000, which means finding an in-network dentist is a breeze wherever you live. Delta offers a wide range of plans, including PPOs, HMOs, and even fee-for-service options, so individuals can pick what fits their needs and budget.
As a long-established company, Delta Dental also makes life easy with online tools and a mobile app for managing your plan, and it consistently rates well in customer satisfaction, with very few complaints relative to its size. Visit Website
Delta Dental is the largest dental insurer in the U.S., covering over 80 million Americans.It has the nation's biggest network of dentists, with around 152,000, which means finding an in-network dentist is a breeze wherever you live. Delta offers a wide range of plans, including PPOs, HMOs, and even fee-for-service options, so individuals can pick what fits their needs and budget.
As a long-established company, Delta Dental also makes life easy with online tools and a mobile app for managing your plan, and it consistently rates well in customer satisfaction, with very few complaints relative to its size. Visit Website
Cigna Dental
Cigna is a nationwide provider with a huge network of over 92,000 dentists in more than 300,000 locations, so you're likely to find a dentist close by.
Cigna offers three main individual plans. Two cover everything from preventive care to major procedures, while one cheaper plan is designed for just basic preventive visits. All plans cover 100% of routine checkups, and the higher-tier options even include coverage for things like braces (orthodontics) for both kids and adults.
Another perk is that if you add family members to your policy, Cigna gives a 15% discount per dependent, which can mean real savings for couples or families. Overall, Cigna is known for solid benefits across the board and truly coast-to-coast availability in all 50 states. Visit Website
Cigna is a nationwide provider with a huge network of over 92,000 dentists in more than 300,000 locations, so you're likely to find a dentist close by.Cigna offers three main individual plans. Two cover everything from preventive care to major procedures, while one cheaper plan is designed for just basic preventive visits. All plans cover 100% of routine checkups, and the higher-tier options even include coverage for things like braces (orthodontics) for both kids and adults.
Another perk is that if you add family members to your policy, Cigna gives a 15% discount per dependent, which can mean real savings for couples or families. Overall, Cigna is known for solid benefits across the board and truly coast-to-coast availability in all 50 states. Visit Website
Guardian Direct (Guardian Life)
Guardian's direct-to-consumer dental plans stand out for covering major services even in their mid-level offerings. In fact, all Guardian Direct plans, except the most basic preventive-only option, cover about 50% of big-ticket items like dentures and implants.
Another plus is that there is no waiting period for preventive care on most Guardian plans, so you can get your cleanings and checkups right away. Guardian also has one of the largest dentist networks, giving you plenty of choices when picking a provider.
Combined with its low complaint rates, meaning customers are generally happy, and easy online access to plan information, Guardian Direct is a convenient choice if you expect to need some serious dental work and want that coverage from day one. Visit Website
Guardian's direct-to-consumer dental plans stand out for covering major services even in their mid-level offerings. In fact, all Guardian Direct plans, except the most basic preventive-only option, cover about 50% of big-ticket items like dentures and implants.Another plus is that there is no waiting period for preventive care on most Guardian plans, so you can get your cleanings and checkups right away. Guardian also has one of the largest dentist networks, giving you plenty of choices when picking a provider.
Combined with its low complaint rates, meaning customers are generally happy, and easy online access to plan information, Guardian Direct is a convenient choice if you expect to need some serious dental work and want that coverage from day one. Visit Website
Humana Dental
Humana is known for the variety of dental plans it offers, with about seven in total, ranging from low-cost HMOs to more flexible PPOs. This means whether you just need basic preventive care or full coverage for things like crowns and root canals, Humana likely has a plan that fits your budget.
The company is a national provider and is especially popular with seniors, as Humana often bundles dental benefits with its Medicare plans. For individual buyers, Humana's plans tend to have affordable premiums, no waiting periods for routine cleanings, and a wide network of participating dentists.
In short, Humana makes it easy to find an option that works for you, with user-friendly online tools to manage your coverage as well.
Humana is known for the variety of dental plans it offers, with about seven in total, ranging from low-cost HMOs to more flexible PPOs. This means whether you just need basic preventive care or full coverage for things like crowns and root canals, Humana likely has a plan that fits your budget.The company is a national provider and is especially popular with seniors, as Humana often bundles dental benefits with its Medicare plans. For individual buyers, Humana's plans tend to have affordable premiums, no waiting periods for routine cleanings, and a wide network of participating dentists.
In short, Humana makes it easy to find an option that works for you, with user-friendly online tools to manage your coverage as well.
Aetna Dental
Aetna, now part of CVS Health, offers comprehensive dental coverage with some nice extra perks. For one, Aetna boasts a massive network of more than 445,000 dental providers nationwide, so you won't struggle to find an in-network dentist.
Their plans all include 100% coverage for preventive care like cleanings and routine exams, helping you stay on top of your dental health at no out-of-pocket cost. Uniquely, Aetna throws in a free CVS ExtraCare Plus membership with its dental policies, which gives you discounts on prescriptions and other health items at CVS pharmacies.
This combination of wide coverage and pharmacy discounts makes Aetna a high-value and convenient choice, especially if you're looking to bundle health benefits.
Aetna, now part of CVS Health, offers comprehensive dental coverage with some nice extra perks. For one, Aetna boasts a massive network of more than 445,000 dental providers nationwide, so you won't struggle to find an in-network dentist.Their plans all include 100% coverage for preventive care like cleanings and routine exams, helping you stay on top of your dental health at no out-of-pocket cost. Uniquely, Aetna throws in a free CVS ExtraCare Plus membership with its dental policies, which gives you discounts on prescriptions and other health items at CVS pharmacies.
This combination of wide coverage and pharmacy discounts makes Aetna a high-value and convenient choice, especially if you're looking to bundle health benefits.
UnitedHealthcare Dental
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the same big company behind many medical insurance plans, and they bring that scale to their dental coverage too. UHC offers affordable premiums and a mix of plan options, ranging from basic coverage to more extensive plans, so individuals can choose what fits their needs.
They have a nationwide network of dentists, which is great if you travel or relocate. Your plan can likely be used wherever you go in the U.S. Because UHC is such a large insurer, you also get the benefit of robust customer support and handy digital tools, like a mobile app and online portal, to find dentists, check claims, and manage your plan. It's a solid, no-fuss option for dental insurance with the backing of a major healthcare company.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the same big company behind many medical insurance plans, and they bring that scale to their dental coverage too. UHC offers affordable premiums and a mix of plan options, ranging from basic coverage to more extensive plans, so individuals can choose what fits their needs.They have a nationwide network of dentists, which is great if you travel or relocate. Your plan can likely be used wherever you go in the U.S. Because UHC is such a large insurer, you also get the benefit of robust customer support and handy digital tools, like a mobile app and online portal, to find dentists, check claims, and manage your plan. It's a solid, no-fuss option for dental insurance with the backing of a major healthcare company.
MetLife Dental
MetLife is a veteran insurance provider that offers dental plans to individuals in all 50 states.
One of MetLife's unique selling points is that it has HMO-style plans with no annual benefit limit (no yearly cap on what the plan pays) in certain states. Those particular plans also come with zero deductible, letting you get coverage without significant upfront costs.
Even if you choose a traditional PPO plan, MetLife's premiums and deductibles tend to be wallet-friendly. The company's extensive experience means it has a large network of dentists and an array of plan choices. Plus, MetLife provides an online portal and mobile app for its members, making it easy to check coverage or find a dentist, which is a nice touch for ease of use.
MetLife is a veteran insurance provider that offers dental plans to individuals in all 50 states.One of MetLife's unique selling points is that it has HMO-style plans with no annual benefit limit (no yearly cap on what the plan pays) in certain states. Those particular plans also come with zero deductible, letting you get coverage without significant upfront costs.
Even if you choose a traditional PPO plan, MetLife's premiums and deductibles tend to be wallet-friendly. The company's extensive experience means it has a large network of dentists and an array of plan choices. Plus, MetLife provides an online portal and mobile app for its members, making it easy to check coverage or find a dentist, which is a nice touch for ease of use.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem BCBS is a regional Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer (operating in 14 states) known for feature-rich dental plans.
Anthem really shines if you need to use your benefits immediately. Many of its plans have no waiting period for preventive, basic, or even major services. For example, one of Anthem's popular plans, Essential Choice Incentive, lets you get coverage for big procedures right away and offers a high annual coverage limit of about $2,500 per year. That means you could get a crown or root canal in month one, and the plan will still pay its share without delay.
Coverage levels are strong too, covering a sizable percentage of costs for fillings, extractions, and other treatments. The only downside is Anthem's dental plans are only available in the states it serves. However, if you're in one of those states, you'll get excellent value and a broad provider network under the well-known Blue Cross Blue Shield banner.
Anthem BCBS is a regional Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer (operating in 14 states) known for feature-rich dental plans.Anthem really shines if you need to use your benefits immediately. Many of its plans have no waiting period for preventive, basic, or even major services. For example, one of Anthem's popular plans, Essential Choice Incentive, lets you get coverage for big procedures right away and offers a high annual coverage limit of about $2,500 per year. That means you could get a crown or root canal in month one, and the plan will still pay its share without delay.
Coverage levels are strong too, covering a sizable percentage of costs for fillings, extractions, and other treatments. The only downside is Anthem's dental plans are only available in the states it serves. However, if you're in one of those states, you'll get excellent value and a broad provider network under the well-known Blue Cross Blue Shield banner.
DentaQuest
DentaQuest has grown to be the second-largest dental insurance provider by membership in the U.S., now covering about 37 million people.
Its focus is on affordable, accessible coverage. DentaQuest plans typically have lower premiums than many competitors and fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings. They also provide decent coverage for basic services (fillings, simple extractions) and a portion of major work, though certain major treatments may have waiting periods.
Where DentaQuest really stands out is customer satisfaction. It receives far fewer complaints than expected for a company its size and earned above-average scores in J.D. Power's dental plan study. The company's dentist network spans all 50 states, but note that DentaQuest's own individual plans are sold in a limited number of states (around 12).
If you have access to a DentaQuest plan, it's a value-packed option backed by a company with a strong service reputation.
DentaQuest has grown to be the second-largest dental insurance provider by membership in the U.S., now covering about 37 million people.Its focus is on affordable, accessible coverage. DentaQuest plans typically have lower premiums than many competitors and fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings. They also provide decent coverage for basic services (fillings, simple extractions) and a portion of major work, though certain major treatments may have waiting periods.
Where DentaQuest really stands out is customer satisfaction. It receives far fewer complaints than expected for a company its size and earned above-average scores in J.D. Power's dental plan study. The company's dentist network spans all 50 states, but note that DentaQuest's own individual plans are sold in a limited number of states (around 12).
If you have access to a DentaQuest plan, it's a value-packed option backed by a company with a strong service reputation.
Spirit Dental
Spirit Dental is a smaller, niche provider that is great if you want no waiting periods and straightforward coverage. Unlike many insurers, Spirit has zero waiting periods on all its plans. Preventive, basic, and major treatments are covered as soon as your policy is active.
It also uses a one-time $100 lifetime deductible (instead of an annual deductible), which you pay once and never again in future years. Spirit's premiums are some of the lowest around, making it budget-friendly, especially for individuals buying their own plan.
Coverage starts smaller but can increase over time. For instance, some Spirit plans boost your annual maximum benefit up to $5,000 by the third year of coverage. Plans are available in almost every state (except Washington) and are PPO-based, meaning you have the flexibility to see any dentist (though staying in-network saves more).
In short, Spirit Dental offers quick and easy coverage for those who don't want to wait, though its reimbursements for certain procedures in year one might be lower than some big-name competitors.
Spirit Dental is a smaller, niche provider that is great if you want no waiting periods and straightforward coverage. Unlike many insurers, Spirit has zero waiting periods on all its plans. Preventive, basic, and major treatments are covered as soon as your policy is active.It also uses a one-time $100 lifetime deductible (instead of an annual deductible), which you pay once and never again in future years. Spirit's premiums are some of the lowest around, making it budget-friendly, especially for individuals buying their own plan.
Coverage starts smaller but can increase over time. For instance, some Spirit plans boost your annual maximum benefit up to $5,000 by the third year of coverage. Plans are available in almost every state (except Washington) and are PPO-based, meaning you have the flexibility to see any dentist (though staying in-network saves more).
In short, Spirit Dental offers quick and easy coverage for those who don't want to wait, though its reimbursements for certain procedures in year one might be lower than some big-name competitors.
BAdd New Item