Best VA Dental Insurance

Quick Look: The Best VA Dental Insurance

• Smart Health Dental: Best for No Waiting Periods
• Careington: Best for No Annual Maximums
• Dentalplans.com: Best for Saving Money on Dental Expenses
• Delta Dental: Best for Cleaning and Exams
• Renaissance Dental: Best for Optional Out of Network Care

With rolling hills and rich history, there’s plenty to do in Virginia. The last thing you probably want to do is sift through dental plans and choose dental insurance.

Luckily, Benzinga has put together the best dental insurance Virginia has to offer so you can spend more time doing what you love. Check out this guide to help you get a better understanding of your available coverage, cost and selection.

The Best VA Dental Insurance

You don’t have to be confused or frustrated while searching for dental insurance. The best dental plans in Virginia meet both your budget and your need for coverage. We went ahead and found some of the best dental providers in Virginia to make your search for dental insurance easier. See which dental insurance companies offer the best plans for your needs.

1. 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. 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. 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. Delta Dental

Delta Dental of Virginia provides the most plan choices if you need dental insurance in Virginia. Plans range from a basic preventive plan to high levels of coverage for more expensive services.

Delta Dental is also 1 of the largest providers of dental insurance in the country. If you move or need to see a dentist outside of your local area, there’s probably a Delta Dental network dentist nearby.

5. Renaissance Dental

Renaissance Dental plans tend to be more expensive than other plans, however, the biggest benefit is many plans have no waiting periods for any services.

Renaissance plans are a good choice if you need a dental service right away but don’t want to pay out of pocket. Coverage also increases each year you have a plan in place.

Types of Dental Coverage

Before you can choose a dental insurance plan, you need to understand how different types of coverage work. Dental insurance in VA generally comes in 3 varieties:

• Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO)
• Dental Discount Plans

Each type of coverage provides different benefits. Remember, however, that different carriers offer different levels of coverage under these monikers. There are several ways that these policies could differ, meaning that you cannot assume an HMO or PPO will perform one way while a discount plan will perform in another manner.

The type of plan you need depends on these factors and many more. When you choose a dental plan, make sure you look at these details:

• Deductible. A deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your dental benefits take effect.
• Annual maximum. Most dental plans allow you to receive a certain amount of dental benefits per year. Once you reach your annual maximum, you have to pay for dental services out of pocket. Many plans have annual maximums of between $1,000–$1,500.
• Covered services. Some dental plans cover more than others. You cannot assume that one dental plan covers everything because it’s expensive and another offers far less coverage because it’s cheap. You must review the coverages and guidelines for each policy before continuing.
• Waiting period. A waiting period is the time you must have an active plan before you can use its benefits. For example, you may have to wait 6 months before you can get a filling. This helps prevent someone from enrolling in the plan, using expensive dental benefits and dropping coverage afterward.
• Coinsurance. This is the amount of money you must pay for a service in percentage form. Your insurance company may offer 80% coinsurance on a service, for example. You are responsible for 20% of the service, after paying your deductible, and your insurer pays the remaining 80%.
• Copayment. Similar to coinsurance, a copay is a fixed price you pay for a dental service. You may have a copayment of $20 for a $100 service, for example. Your insurance company pays the remaining $80.
• Premium. Your premium is the monthly or annual price you pay to enroll in the dental insurance plan.
• Dental network. A group of dentists who agree to contract with the insurance company to offer reduced rates for dental treatments. Dentists that are in-network are a part of your insurance company’s agreement.

The different insurance factors can make a big difference in the affordability and coverage level of a plan. Be sure to carefully read the details of dental plans to look for the costs and restrictions.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Dental PPO plans let you choose any dentist in or out of the dental network. You’ll still receive benefits if you choose an out-of-network dentist, but they’ll probably be reduced. Most dental plans are PPO plans.

To choose the right PPO plan, make sure you watch out for annual maximums, deductibles and waiting periods. A cheaper plan may actually cost you more if it has a low annual maximum and high deductible.

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO)

When you enroll in a DHMO plan, you choose a primary dentist from within the dental network. You can then visit this dentist for all of your dental health needs. Unlike a PPO plan, if you use an out-of-network dentist, you may have to pay the full cost of services out of pocket.

Most DHMO plans don’t have waiting periods, deductibles or annual maximums. You usually pay a fixed copay for treatments. A DHMO plan may not be a great choice if you move often, travel or like to visit multiple dentists.

Dental Discount Plans

Although dental discount plans aren’t technically insurance, they can still provide benefits if you need to reduce the cost of dental services. Discount plans work by using a dental network like PPO and DHMO plans. However, you pay a monthly or annual fee to get plan benefits instead of a premium.

When you visit an in-network dentist, you receive discounts for certain services. After the procedure, you pay the discounted rate out of pocket. There are no claims to complete because you’re simply getting a discount on the service.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Most dental plans cover certain treatments and procedures. Although you should always check to see what your plan covers, you usually receive some amount of benefits for:

• Preventive care
• Basic services
• Major services

Some basic plans only cover preventive care, like routine teeth cleaning or part of basic procedures like fillings. Most plans, however, cover all 3 levels of services to some degree.

It’s common for plans to follow a 100-80-50 coverage schedule. The numbers refer to the percentage a service is covered.

• 100. Preventive services are no charge to you. Your plan pays 100% of the cost of services like teeth cleanings and annual exams.
• 80. The plan pays 80% for basic dental treatments and services. Most basic services include fillings and root canals.
• 50. Your plan pays for 50% of more invasive or major procedures, including treatments like crowns or bridges.

What Does Dental Insurance Not Cover? 

There are several types of treatments that dental insurance doesn’t cover. The most common treatments include:

• Adult orthodontia
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Serious preexisting conditions

Some plans offer discounts or selective coverage for orthodontic services like braces. These plans also tend to have a higher premium and may have special restrictions for orthodontia benefits, and you should review the guidelines because they change from one carrier to another. Moreover, you should review how plans work when you change insurance or go through the open enrollment period.

While each plan defines preexisting conditions differently, you can probably find coverage for minor conditions. Most plans allow you to enroll even if you have an existing cavity, for example. More serious or major oral health issues, such as a serious oral disease, may not receive benefits.

Average Cost of Dental Insurance in Virginia

The national average for dental insurance is about $350 per year, and dental plans in Virginia follow the average. Basic preventive plans cost around $15 per month or $180 per year. Comprehensive plans with high annual maximums and low deductibles can cost more than $70 per month or about $840 per year.

To get affordable dental insurance in Virginia, it’s important to look at available discounts. You may be able to save on dental insurance by rolling it into an individual health insurance plan. You can also choose a dental plan with a vision insurance add-on. Many dental plans allow you to add vision coverage for only a few extra dollars per month.

Price shouldn’t be the only factor you use to decide on a dental insurance plan in VA. While the monthly premium can indicate the affordability of a plan, other factors can cause you to spend more or less on dental costs. You must also look at which dentists in the area accept these plans and if they are taking on new patients. Do your research before buying, especially if you have an existing or preferred dentist in mind.

A plan with a low monthly premium may also have a low annual maximum. You use up your dental benefits through the plan’s maximum and still need treatments. You now have to pay out of pocket for your remaining dental procedures.

What to Look for in a Dental Provider

The price of a dental plan, as well as the covered services, often play the most important parts as you choose a dental plan. You should also consider which insurance provider you choose as you look at plans.

You don’t want to choose a plan only to have the insurance company deny benefits for some sneaky reason in the small print of your plan. Read any plan you consider carefully and do your research into the best dental insurance providers in Virginia.

Make sure you ask yourself these questions before you pick a dental plan:

• Does the plan give me enough coverage for my usual dental health needs?
• Does the plan fit into my monthly budget, including the cost of deductible or coinsurance?
• Is the company easy to work with and can I reach customer service through social media, online chat, email and phone?
• How long has the company been in business? Is it financially stable? What is its credit rating?
• Are reviews of the company positive, negative or neutral?
• What does your dentist think of the provider? Are they having positive or negative experiences with the carrier?

Find the Best VA Dental Insurance

Get the coverage you need from a top dental insurance company in Virginia. Search your location to find quotes from Virginia dental plans today.

Frequently Asked Questions