Best Dental Insurance in Massachusetts

You likely already know you need health insurance to lessen the impact of your doctor bills and maintain a clean bill of health. You might be surprised to learn that even the Affordable Care Act (ACA)-approved plans don’t include coverage for dental insurance. You’ll need a separate dental insurance plan if you want to protect your smile. But where should you start?

We’re taking a look at some of the best dental insurance in Massachusetts. We’ll cover some of the basics you need to know if you’re considering dental insurance, as well as some of the specifics of what your plan will and won’t cover. Make sure you read our comprehensive guide before you choose a plan in the Bay State. 

Quick Look: Best Dental Insurance in Massachusetts

• Best for No Waiting Periods: Smart Health Dental
• Best for No Annual Maximums: Careington
• Best for Saving Money on Dental Expenses: Dentalplans.com
• Best for Cleaning and Exams: Delta Dental
• Best for Quick Service: Physicians Mutual

Best Dental Insurance in Massachusetts

Now that you understand the basics of how dental insurance works, let’s take a look at some of the best dental insurance plans in Massachusetts.  

1. Best for No Waiting Periods: Smart Health Dental

Smart Health Dental (SHD) offers multiple dental insurance and non-insurance plan options. It has an extensive national network of over 200,000 licensed dental providers. No waiting periods

There are no waiting periods, and you’ll find dental insurance plans with up to 100% coverage on preventive procedures.

Call for a free quote Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

2. Best for No Annual Maximums: Careington

Careington Dental Insurance isn’t technically insurance — it’s a dental savings plan. Enrolling in a Careington plan allows you access to dental care from participating providers at a reduced cost. You’ll find a large network of participating dentists, immediate coverage and no age limits.

Its 500 Savings Plan is the most popular. This plan offers an average of 20% to 60% off of standard fees for most dental procedures, including routine exams, teeth cleaning for both adults and children and root canals. The 500 Dental Savings Plan also offers 20% off of orthodontics such as braces. And you’ll also receive unlimited access to eDocAmerica, a free email service to ask dentists questions.

3. Best for Saving Money on Dental Expenses: Dentalplans.com

Dentalplans.com is a hub for you to search and find a dental savings plan. Dental savings plans are not insurance. But your monthly membership buys you a savings card to present at the dentist of your choice for a percentage off the price of your services.

Dental savings plans can be an affordable alternative to insurance. Your plan works through nationwide network of dentists that offer 10 to 60% savings on preventive and restorative treatments.

Dentalplans.com is the perfect place to find your savings plan. If you find the same dental savings product at a lower cost, call its AtYourService® Team. It will match the price offered by online competitors.

4. Best for Cleaning and Exams: Delta Dental

You want to protect your employees without breaking the bank when you own a small business. Delta Dental offers business owners a number of choices, depending on the amount of coverage they want to provide. Delta Dental’s Total Choice PPO offers employees a premium network of dentists and incredible savings offers.

You can also choose a voluntary plan from Delta that offers your employees discounted dental coverage at little to no cost to your company. No matter what type of budget you have, Delta has a plan for you and your team. 

5. Best for Quick Service: Physicians Mutual

Consider a policy from Physicians Mutual if you need coverage fast. Getting a quote from Physicians Mutual is incredibly simple — just enter your state, your age and the type of plan you need. In our review, it took less than 30 seconds to see prices and policy choices for Massachusetts residents.

You’ll see all of your options laid out in front of you in clear terms with exact explanations of your benefits. All plans include a $0 deductible, so you don’t need to do the math and determine whether you’re overpaying for coverage. 

Types of Dental Coverage

Have you ever navigated the health care matrix in the United States? If so, you already know that choosing a health insurance plan isn’t always simple. Dental insurance coverage is much easier to understand. There are 2 basic types of dental insurance plans:

Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMOs)

Like a health insurance HMO, DHMOs require that you see a dental service provider within a predetermined network. You usually don’t have the option to see service providers outside of your network. DHMOs are the most affordable type of insurance but also give you the least amount of freedom to choose which dentist you and your family see.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

A dental PPO is similar to a health insurance PPO. You may choose to see any dental service provider you like and still use your benefits. However, if you do choose to see a service provider within your network, you’ll receive an additional discount from your insurance provider. PPOs give you the freedom to choose which dentists and other dental service providers you see, but you’ll usually pay more for your plan compared to a DHMO.

You may occasionally see an insurance company that offers you a very cheap benefits plan. A benefits plan (sometimes called a discount plan) isn’t technically a form of insurance. Instead, it’s an agreement within a group of dental insurance providers to give you a discount on your services in exchange for continued loyalty. Discount and benefit plans don’t actually pay for any percentage of your care costs, so we won’t consider them in this plan review. 

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

The ACA requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for at least 10 essential benefits. Unfortunately, dental insurance providers aren’t held to a similar standard. There is no standard rubric of benefits that every dental insurance provider must offer coverage for. This can make it more frustrating and time-consuming to choose a plan.

Many dental insurance plans follow a 100-80-50 schedule of benefits. A 100-80-50 plan means that your insurance will cover:

100% of Preventive Care Costs

Preventive care refers to regular and routine treatments that help you avoid dental illnesses and disease. Some examples of preventive care include cleanings, X-rays and exams.

80% of Basic Procedure Costs

Basic procedures refer to routine treatments that are used to correct common dental and oral health issues. Some examples of basic procedures include fillings for cavities, root canals and crowns.

50% of Major Procedure Costs

Major procedures are rare and invasive treatments are used to correct major oral health issues. Some examples of major procedures include bridges, denture fittings and tooth extractions.

Keep in mind that a 100-80-50 benefits schedule is simply the most common insurance benefits package. You aren’t guaranteed to have this set of benefits unless you specifically see it laid out in your plan policy. You should also keep in mind that your insurance company has the freedom to decide which procedures are covered and which fall into each category.

For example, many dental insurance plans consider root canals to be major treatments instead of basic procedures, and many plans also elect not to cover sealants (despite the fact that most dentists recommend sealants as a preventive treatment against cavities). 

What Does Dental Insurance Not Cover? 

No matter which plan you choose, there are a few benefits that your insurance probably won’t cover, including:

Cosmetic Dentistry

No dental insurance plan will cover 100% cosmetic dental procedures (like teeth whitening).

Preexisting Conditions

Unlike health insurance providers, dental insurance providers have no legal obligation to cover you for preexisting conditions. If you already have a long-standing or chronic dental or oral health issue when you sign up for your plan, your insurance provider may limit or exclude benefits for the treatment of that particular illness. Many insurance plans also have a “waiting period” that prevents you from using your benefits for at least a few months to discourage individuals with preexisting conditions from enrolling.

Orthodontic Treatments

Despite the fact that orthodontic treatments are often required to prevent oral health issues, most plans don’t cover these services for adults. If your plan does include coverage for orthodontics, it will usually only extend to children under the age of 18 who are enrolled in your plan.

Remember that your dental insurance provider doesn’t need to cover any particular treatment or service with your plan. Make sure you thoroughly read your plan inclusions and exclusions before you enroll to avoid any unexpected surprises. 

Average Cost of Dental Insurance in Massachusetts

The average cost of independent dental insurance in Massachusetts is similar to the rest of the United States. Individuals can expect to pay between $30 to $45 a month for coverage. Anyone with a family plan can expect to pay between $42 and $71 per month. 

What to Look for in a Dental Insurance Provider in Massachusetts

Here are a few key factors you should consider as you search for the best dental insurance in Massachusetts:

Deductibles

our deductible is the amount of money that you need to spend on your own dental insurance before your insurance kicks in and starts to cover your bills. If your deductible is too high, you may pay more for your insurance than it’s worth. Look for an insurance plan with a reasonable and affordable deductible.

Maximum Benefits

Most dental insurance plans include a maximum dollar amount of benefits you can receive every year. You’ll be responsible for 100% of your dental bills if you hit your maximum. Choose a dental insurance plan with a high maximum benefit limit to get the most for your money.

Coverage in Your State

Like health insurance providers, not every dental insurance provider can provide coverage in your state. Make sure your plan provider of choice offers coverage in your state before you enroll. 

Protect Yourself and Your Smile

Like any other type of insurance, you’ll have tons of options when it comes to protecting your smile. Don’t be afraid to take some time and shop around for a policy before you decide — and always remember to thoroughly read and understand your benefits before you sign.

The last thing you want is to pay for coverage and later find out that you aren’t as protected as you thought. You can find the best dental insurance in Massachusetts, protect your family and maintain your oral health easily and affordably.

Frequently Asked Questions