HEALTH
What is the average cost of dental insurance in the US?
Most healthcare plans do not include dental care as standard, making it a choice between more expensive cover or even costlier out-of-pocket fees.
Dental insurance is modeled after standard health insurance, with a few notable differences. Prices for dental insurance plans are much lower — a monthly premium from dental insurance companies typically costs less than $50 and the annual deductible usually ranges between $50 and $100.
Rather than using annual out-of-pocket maximums, dental policies typically place a cap on the coverage you receive for the year. The average maximum for dental insurance plans ranges from $1,000 to $1,500, but the National Association of Dental Plans estimates that only 5% of Americans actually exceed their in-network maximum for the year.
On average, people spend between $20 and $50 per month on dental insurance premiums, according to moneygeek.com, with annual estimates ranging from $240 to $600.
Dental insurance plans use a 100-80-50 cost-sharing model, requiring patients to pay a copayment or coinsurance for services the plan doesn’t cover.
- 100% for preventative care services, such as biannual checkups and cleanings, X-ray scans and diagnostic tests
- 80% for basic procedures, such as fillings, extractions and root canals
- 50% for major procedures, such as crowns, bridges, dentures and implants
Other services that are more cosmetic or elective, such as teeth whitening or orthodontic care, typically aren’t covered by dental insurance plans, leaving an out-of-pocket expense for those who want those services.
The average cost of each dental service with insurance
This information comes from the 2020 Survey of Dental Fees from the American Dental Association.