Best Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period

Jump straight to it: The best dental insurance with no waiting period is Smart Health Dental.

Finally found a dental insurance provider you love only to realize you might encounter a waiting period before coverage begins? Because your search for dental insurance is often time sensitive, finding the appropriate policy is more important than ever. Use this information to research dental insurers, avoid waiting periods and save money.

Quick Look: Top No Waiting Period Dental Insurance Companies

• Best for No Waiting Period: Smart Health Dental
• Best for Discounts: MetLife
• Best for Cleaning + Exams: Delta Dental
• Best for Variety: Humana
• Best for Large Suite of Products: UnitedHealthCare
• Best for Adult and Child Orthodontia Benefits: Ameritas
• Best for Dental + Vision Plans: Spirit Dental & Vision

7 Best Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period

Looking for the best dental insurance can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. While this is not an exhaustive list of carriers that do not impose waiting periods on certain services, it's a great place to start.

1. Best for No Waiting Period: Smart Health Dental

Smart Health Dental is a unique carrier that offers no-waiting period coverage for your dental needs with:

• A network of over 200,000 dentists
• 2 plans
• Dental discount card
• Dedicated care coordinator when you call customer support

You can use this carrier to save money with the discount card or basic coverage, or you might step up to get a little more coverage for major procedures.

Why We Love It: The discount card offered by Smart Health Dental is a convenient option for saving on both services and products. With two different dental plans to choose from, you can opt to save money or select a plan that offers a bit more protection. Additionally, if you need assistance with scheduling appointments or simply don't know where to begin, you can easily reach out to a care coordinator for guidance.

2. Best for Discounts: MetLife

MetLife offers no waiting periods for major procedures on its Veterans Affairs dental plan, but the firm also may offer a no waiting period policy in your state.

Why We Love It: MetLife offers low pricing on their dental plans, allowing you to save money while getting covered quickly. Its large provider network makes it easier to access the care you need, ensuring that you can find a dentist that meets your specific needs without difficulty.

3. Best for Cleaning + Exams: Delta Dental

Delta Dental offers and advertises no waiting period dental policies depending on the state. You can easily visit Delta’s website and learn more about the coverage available in your location.

Why We Love It: With a vast network of dentists nationwide, Delta Dental ensures easy access to high-quality oral healthcare services for its members. Its plans come with affordable premiums and low out-of-pocket costs, making it a top choice for individuals and families looking for immediate coverage for all their dental needs.

4. Best for Variety: Humana

Humana’s dental preferred provider organization (PPO) plan has no waiting period for preventative care, 6 months for basic care and 12 months for major services. However, you can offset that waiting period if you had dental coverage over the last 12 months.

Why We Love It: Humana offers a wide range of discounted services, including orthodontics, all covered at an affordable monthly fee.

5. Best for Large Suite of Products: UnitedHealthCare

Generally, UnitedHealthcare dental plans have no waiting period for preventative care, but there may be a waiting period for basics or major procedures. Check coverage offerings in your state before proceeding.

Why We Love It: UnitedHealthcare's dental primary plans provide 100% coverage for preventive care, up to 80% for basic services, and up to 50% for major services, with annual maximums ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the specific plan. UnitedHealthcare also has an extensive network of over 100,000 dental providers nationwide.

6. Best for Adult and Child Orthodontia Benefits: Ameritas

Ameritas has a few dental plans, including Indemnity w/PPO, Standard PPO and Preventative PPO. There is no waiting period for these plans, and 12-month waiting period for the standard PPO when seeking orthodontic care. 

Because you can expect to pay less per month than you would for health insurance, you might buy into a dental insurance plan quickly so that you can visit the dentist or send your children. If you find a policy without a waiting period — like the ones above — you can avoid discomfort and stress concerning your dental health.

Why We Love It: Ameritas offers comprehensive plans and the premiums are relatively low. Ameritas values its loyal customers by rewarding them with tiered benefits, ensuring that if you stay with the company, you are recognized and appreciated for your continued support. 

7. Best for Dental + Vision Plans: Spirit Dental & Vision

Spirit Dental & Vision is a nationwide carrier that offers a range of PPO dental insurance plan. Pricing starts at $20 in most regions, and also includes:

• No waiting periods
• Inclusive plans
• Several preventative appointments covered
• $100 lifetime deductible is only paid once
• Some plans even cover orthodontic care
• Option to add vision insurance starting at $7 in most states

You can reach out to spirit at any time to learn more about your coverage options, and you can get dental plans for yourself or your family with ease.

Why We Love It: Spirit Dental & Visions offers high annual maximums of up to $5,000, which is significantly higher than many competitors in the no-waiting-period market.

Why Do Insurance Plans Include a Waiting Period?

Insurance carriers often allow their corporate clients to enact a waiting period before coverage begins. The waiting period is frequently used by companies that have a high turnover rate; setting a waiting period requires employees to work diligently and buy into the corporate culture before benefits begin.

Does the waiting period apply to all benefits? Generally, no. However, you should review the waiting periods for certain procedures and determine whether you require an exemption.

Waiting periods also may apply to pre-existing conditions. In cases such as these, the insurer may have a much longer waiting or “exclusion” period.

If you, for example, have a waiting period of 18 months for oral cancers, you will receive credit for the 9 months of coverage you had before this policy began. In short, your waiting period drops proportionate to the duration of your previous coverage.

Can My Dental Insurance Carrier Waive a Waiting Period?

Insurance carriers and/or employers can waive your waiting period at any time, but that is at the carrier’s/employer’s discretion. Collect as much documentation as possible, contact the carrier or your employer’s insurance department and seek a waiver. Your dentist may even write a letter stating that your treatment is medically necessary and simply cannot wait.

Types of Dental Coverage

There are a few different types of dental insurance — the difference between plans typically has to do with which dental service providers you can see on your network. Let’s take a look at a few of the different types of dental insurance plans you’ll see when you shop.

• Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO): DHMO plans work a lot like HMO health insurance plans. When you sign onto a DHMO plan, you’ll receive a list of dental health care providers that accept your insurance. You’ll need to see a dentist within your plan’s network if you want to use your insurance. You can’t use your insurance if you go outside of your network. DHMOs are typically the most affordable dental insurance you’ll find.
• Preferred provider organization (PPO): Unlike a DHMO plan, you can see any dentist you want on a PPO plan. You might be able to save money if you visit a dentist within your network, but you can elect to see any dentist for services and procedures. PPO plans typically cost more than DHMO plans — but might be worth the extra money if you have a dentist that you already enjoy seeing.

Occasionally, you might see a company that offers a dental benefits plan. These plans aren’t actually a type of insurance because they don’t actually pay for your care. Instead, as a member of your dental benefits plan, you get a set discount on any dental services you need.

Average Cost of Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period 

Dental insurance with no waiting periods cost about the same as dental insurance with waiting periods. You can expect to pay about $30 to $45 a month for individual coverage. If you need a family plan, budget about $50 to $75 per month for coverage.

How to Buy Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period

Many dental insurance plans now allow you to enroll in a plan online. The first step to finding dental insurance without a waiting period is to compare plan options and the wait on each tier.

Dental insurance plans classify treatments and services into different tiers based on how frequently you may need them as well as price. Most plans have 3 distinct tiers:

• Preventive: Preventive dental care includes services that you receive regularly to maintain great oral health. Cleanings and X-rays are 2 examples of preventive services. Many dental insurance plans offer preventive care with no waiting periods.
• Basic: Basic services include treatments for routine oral health issues. Cavity fillings and simple tooth extractions are 2 examples of basic services. Though a few dental insurance companies offer basic services without a waiting period, most insurance companies have a small waiting period before you can receive these services.
• Major: Major services are intensive and expensive treatments and procedures that correct major oral health issues. Denture creation and bridges are 2 examples of major services. Even the best dental insurance won’t allow you to receive a major service without some kind of waiting period. This waiting period may be as long as 12 months for major services.

Unlike health insurance providers, dental insurance providers don’t need to guarantee any kind of “essential benefits” on each of their plans. This means that the specific services that are covered under each plan can vary significantly. Be sure to compare both services covered and waiting periods before you choose a plan.

What to Look for in a Dental Insurance Provider

How can you a dental insurance provider that’s right for you? Look for these 3 key features when you shop for dental insurance:

• High maximum benefits: Dental insurance companies can put both a yearly and lifetime cap on the amount they’ll payout for your dental care needs. Look for an insurance provider with a high maximum benefit limit to get the most out of your coverage.
• Availability in your area: Not every dental insurance is licensed to offer plans in all 50 states. Enter your ZIP code and be sure that your dental insurance provider services your area before you buy a plan.
• A low deductible: Your plan’s deductible is a set dollar amount you need to spend on your dental care costs before the insurance covers your care. Look for a plan with a deductible that you can afford — otherwise, you might end up overpaying for insurance you can’t use. 

Understand Your Dental Insurance Before Signing Up

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed as you shop for dental insurance. Start by getting a few quotes from competing providers. Know all of your options and compare them side-by-side to ensure that you don’t end up overpaying for coverage.  

Frequently Asked Questions