Best Cheap Dental Insurance in Kentucky (KY)

Finding great dental insurance in the Bluegrass State doesn’t have to leave you feeling blue. In fact, quality dental insurance Kentucky is easy to find when you know what to look for. Benzinga has researched the top options for dental insurance so that you can enjoy comprehensive coverage and smile with confidence. 

Quick Look: The Best Dental Insurance in KY

• Best Overall in Kentucky: Delta Dental
• Best for No Waiting Periods: Smart Health Dental
• Cheapest Dental Insurance in KY: Humana
• Best for Larger Families: UnitedHealthcare
• Best for Bonus Programs: Ameritas
• Best for Dental Insurance when Traveling: Cigna

Best Dental Insurance Providers in KY

As with other types of insurance, there’s no one dental insurance company that works the best for everyone. Depending on your current dental health, you may want to look for a policy that covers basic services and preventive care. If you need more in-depth dental care, you’ll want to check out those plans in Kentucky.

1. Best Overall: Delta Dental

Delta Dental has an extensive network of nearly 140,000 participating dentists — it’s the largest dental insurance provider in the U.S. It’s a great option for families, too, especially those on a budget.

With Delta Dental’s scheduled services chart, you’ll see up front the price that you’ll pay for preventive care, basic services and major surgeries so that you can plan accordingly. Delta Dental offers both HMO-style plans and PPO plans so you can choose the plan that best fits your needs based on where you’re located and how often you go to the dentist. 

2. Best for No Waiting Periods: Smart Health Dental

Smart Health Dental (SHD) offers both dental insurance and non-insurance plans within a network that stretches across America, covering over 200,000 licensed providers. There are no waiting periods, and you could get as much as 100% coverage for preventative care. Free quotes are available and you can call their customer service team at any time.

3. Cheapest Dental Insurance in KY: Humana

Humana is one of the largest dental insurance providers in the U.S. and it provides insurance for individuals, groups and companies. You can save money by bundling dental and vision coverage through Humana, as well as prescriptions using in-network pharmacies.

Be sure to check out Humana’s preventive care package for veterans. It offers a low deductible of just $50 per person or $150 per family.

Even if you’re not a veteran, a similar package is available for non-service members, called Dental Preventive Plus. You can see any in-network or out-of-network dentist and your X-rays and cleanings are 100% covered. 

4. Best for Larger Families: UnitedHealthcare

You’ll never pay a deductible with dental insurance for UnitedHealthcare if you have 3 or more family members.

Individual deductibles start at $50 and there are a variety of plans with a good balance of preventive care coverage as well as basic and major services. UnitedHealthcare does not cover orthodontic services like braces. 

5. Best for Bonus Programs: Ameritas

Ameritas takes a different approach to dental insurance — it offers a rewards program. Access to the rewards program is available if you submit at least one claim each year with total benefits below the maximum. You can get is $2,000 your 1st year and up to $2,900 your 5th year.

This can help take the bite out of major services. You earn rewards by using in-network dentists and all plans offered by Ameritas qualify for the rewards program. Another great service covered by Ameritas is fluoride treatments for patients under 14 years of age. 

6. Best for Dental Insurance When Traveling: Cigna Dental

There’s never a convenient time for a toothache and you may want to look at Cigna’s dental insurance if you’re traveling overseas. The company provides global coverage and 100% of preventive care is covered. You save even more when you use an in-network provider.

The only states where Cigna is not offered are New York and Washington. Benefits may be limited depending on where you live or where you’re traveling. 

Be sure to check out myCigna Dental Preventive, which provides full coverage for preventive and diagnostic services with discounts for orthodontic and restorative services.

How Does Dental Insurance Work in Kentucky?

A dental insurance plan charges a premium in exchange for covered benefits. Unlike health insurance plans, dental insurance plans usually have a cap on benefits, which means your plan may stop providing coverage once you reach the annual cap, often between 1k and 3K. Like other types of healthcare insurance, dental insurance focuses coverage on essential services, like cleanings, fillings, etc. Many plans don’t cover braces or elective cosmetic procedures. Get the cheapest premium here. 

Types of Dental Coverage Available

You’ll find a few types of dental coverage: PPO, DHMO, fee-for-service and discount dental plans are all available. 

PPO Dental Plans

PPO, or preferred provider organization plans, allow you to enjoy lower costs and provide you with a network of dentists in Kentucky who have agreed to accept specific rates for services. You pay a specific percentage for preventive services with PPO plans and a different percentage for major surgeries and diagnostic tools like X-rays. 

DHMO Dental Plans

DHMO plans offer a network of dentists that you can choose from and you’ll have a primary dentist who is responsible for the majority of your care. Let’s say you need a specific surgery or treatment that your primary dentist doesn’t provide. You’ll need a referral from your dentist to see a specialist. The specialist must also be in the DHMO network. You don’t have any copays, deductibles or maximums with a DHMO plan, but if you see a dentist or specialist outside of the network, you may have to pay the entire amount yourself.

Fee-for-Service Dental Plans

Also known as an indemnity plan or a traditional plan, a fee-for-service plan provides you with the largest selection of dentists. You pay coinsurance for each plan, and like with PPO plans, the percentage depends on the service. You may pay a bit more for dental care overall compared to a PPO plan or a DHMO plan but you’ll have the freedom to see any dentist that accepts your insurance. 

Discount Dental Plans

Although not the same as insurance coverage, there are some companies in Kentucky that have partnered with local dentists to provide coverage for some dental services at reduced rates. Generally available as a discount savings cards, this type of service has no waiting period, no maximums and no deductible, but the amount you actually save is very small compared to an actual dental insurance plan, which covers far more procedures and treatments. 

What Does Dental Insurance in KY Cover?

Dental insurance covers part of the cost of dental-related care and procedures. This includes preventive care like cleanings and X-rays, as well as tooth extractions, fillings, crowns. It also covers procedures like root canals or other oral surgeries. Depending on the plan, insurance may also cover braces, periodontics and prosthodontics. 

Remember, however, that all dental insurance plans are different on some level. This means that you might run across one plan that is brilliant and covers everything you need, but another might not. Some plans may have minuscule gaps that you don’t notice until you need a particular procedure, and that is why you should review your coverage completely before signing up and paying premiums.

What Does Dental Insurance Not Cover? 

Dental insurance does not typically cover cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening or sealants. There is a maximum each year on what your dental insurance will pay. Once the cap is reached, the remainder is your responsibility. Some insurances also have time limits on certain services after you sign up, particularly for more invasive treatments like root canals, fillings or bridges on the same tooth. Dental insurance does not cover any preexisting conditions. 

Average Cost of Dental Insurance in KY

On average, dental insurance in Kentucky costs $710 – $365 per year for an individual and families pay between $325 – 680 per year. These are nowhere near the costs you’d pay for various procedures without dental insurance. For example, an average tooth extraction costs nearly $300 and a dental crown without insurance can cost up to $2,250. 

What to Look for in a Dental Provider

As you select a dentist, the most important point to keep in mind is to make sure the dentist’s office accept your insurance plan. Ask about the dentist’s office hours and that you’re able to make appointments that fit your schedule. A dentist office close to your home or work will make getting to appointments more convenient. Finally, be sure that the dentist makes you feel comfortable and that office staff is attentive and courteous. 

Also, don’t be afraid to ask if there is a cash discount. When you pay cash for certain services, especially when your insurance doesn’t cover the entire procedure, you can save a little more money.

Get a Beautiful Smile in Kentucky

A clean, healthy and beautiful smile is priceless. Affordable dental insurance means you can make sure your teeth get the care they need and that you develop and maintain healthy dental hygiene habits. Get customized quotes from each of the 6 companies we’ve profiled so you can see which offers you the best personalized benefits. Find out just how much you can save on quality dental insurance and give yourself a reason to smile! 

Frequently Asked Questions

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