Best dental insurance with no waiting period of 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:10 a.m. UTC July 1, 2024
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The best dental insurance with no waiting period is offered by Ameritas and Spirit Dental, according to our analysis. We assessed the rates, coverage and waiting periods of 28 dental plans to find the best dental insurance with no waiting period.
Ameritas
Top-rated dental insurance with no waiting period
- Ameritas: Best dental insurance with no waiting period for seniors.
- Spirit Dental: Best affordable dental insurance with no waiting period.
Why trust our dental insurance experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 28 dental insurance plans evaluated.
- 588 data points analyzed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Compare best dental insurance with no waiting period quotes
| DENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY | TOP-SCORING DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN | DENTAL INSURANCE MONTHLY PREMIUM | OUR RATING | LEARN MORE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameritas | PrimeStar Complete | $69 | Learn More Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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 Spirit Dental | Core Network | $46 | Learn More Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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 Humana | Loyalty Plus | $47 | Learn More Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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 Denali Dental | Ridge Plan 750/1500/2000/2500 | $61 | Learn More Via Healthcare Marketplace’s website | |||||||
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Dental insurance premiums are based on online quotes for a 30-year-old female in California. Your rates may differ.
Methodology
We determined the best dental insurance with no waiting period by first analyzing which insurers offer the best dental insurance plans overall.
To find the best dental insurance we scored 28 standalone dental plans. Benefit details can vary by state, so check the plan brochure for details. Ratings are based on the following criteria.
- Cost: 40 points. We compared costs for a 30-year-old female in California. When California wasn’t available we used Texas.
- Annual maximum insurance payout: 10 points.
- Basic care payout level: 10 points.
- Major care coverage in the first year: 10 points.
- Coverage for implants: 10 points.
- Coverage for orthodontia: 10 points.
- No waiting period for preventive care: 5 points.
- Basic care waiting period: 5 points.
What is a dental insurance waiting period?
A dental insurance waiting period is the time between when you sign up for a policy and when the insurance company will start paying for covered dental services. Waiting periods can vary by dental provider and service type.
The different levels of dental insurance coverage typically include:
- Preventive care: Dental insurance plans usually don’t have a waiting period for preventative services. That means you can typically be seen immediately after your policy starts for services like dental cleanings, exams, bitewing X-rays, space maintainers, sealants and fluoride treatments.
- Basic services: Some dental insurance plans may have a three- to six-month waiting period for basic dental services like simple tooth extractions and fillings.
- Major dental services: You might see a waiting period of up to a year for major dental procedures like oral surgery, crowns and complex extractions.
- Other dental coverage: Some plans may cover other dental services such as braces, dentures, dental implants and teeth whitening. The length of waiting period for these services can vary from three to 12 months.
What is the best dental insurance with no waiting period?
Ameritas and Spirit Dental offer the best dental insurance plans with no waiting period, according to our analysis of rates and coverage. Comparing dental insurance plans by price, dental benefits and your out-of-pocket expenses after the dental insurer pays its portion can help you narrow down the right dental insurance plan for you.
Best affordable dental insurance with no waiting period: Spirit Dental
The Spirit Dental Core Network plan has the most affordable premiums of plans in our rating of the best dental insurance with no waiting period. This policy has a $100 lifetime deductible, meaning once you meet the $100 deductible, you never have to meet another deductible again as long as you keep the plan.
Spirit Dental will cover 100% for two dental exams and three cleanings annually. The plan has a graduated benefit for basic and major dental work, including dental implants and dentures. Basic care is covered at 50% in the first year, then 65% for the second year and 80% each year after. Major care is covered at 25% the first year and 50% after.
There is no waiting period for covered dental treatments, providing you with immediate access to necessary dental care. The Spirit Dental Core Network will cover up to $1,200 per year and allows you to choose your own dentist. Spirit Dental uses the Ameritas dental network.
Best dental insurance with no waiting period for seniors: Ameritas
Seniors who want dental coverage with hearing benefits should consider the Ameritas PrimeStar Complete dental plan. Ameritas will cover preventive care at 100% in-network and 90% if you go out-of-network.
There is a $50 annual deductible for basic and major services. Ameritas will cover in-network basic services at 80% from day one and 90% after the first year. Major care is covered in-network at 20% from day one and 50% after the first year.
Medicare doesn’t cover hearing exams or hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans might. But if you don’t have hearing coverage, Ameritas PrimeStar Complete dental plan will pay $75 for an annual hearing exam and 50% of your hearing aid cost, up to $200 from the first day of coverage. Benefits increase to $300 after the first year and $400 after the second year.
Covered services don’t require a waiting period. Ameritas will cover dental care at an annual max of $2,500 from day one and $3,000 after the first year.
Dental insurance plans without waiting periods
| TYPE OF DENTAL SERVICE | AMERITAS PRIMESTAR COMPLETE WAITING PERIOD | SPIRIT DENTAL CORE NETWORK WAITING PERIOD | HUMANA PREVENTIVE VALUE WAITING PERIOD | DENALI DENTAL RIDGE PLAN 750/1500/2000/2500 WAITING PERIOD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preventive care
| None
| None
| None
| None
|
Basic care
| None
| None
| None
| None
|
Major care
| None
| None
| None
| None
|
Dental implants
| None
| None
| Not covered
| None
|
Dentures
| None
| None
| None
| None
|
How much does dental insurance with no waiting period cost?
Dental insurance with no waiting period costs an average of $56 a month, according to our analysis.
Other dental policy options may be cheaper, but more affordable dental insurance plans often have waiting periods for most dental services or don’t offer as much coverage. Here are some examples, based on online quotes for a 30-year-old female in California:
- Guardian Core costs about $32 monthly but has a 12-month waiting period for major care, dentures and implants.
- UnitedHealthcare Primary Dental is about $31 per month, but doesn’t cover major dental procedures, including implants or dentures.
- Humana Preventive Value is the most affordable dental plan in our rating of the best dental insurance companies, at about $22 monthly, but there is no coverage for dental implants, dentures and other major care services.
Are dental insurance plans with no waiting periods more expensive?
It depends. Waiting periods are a factor in determining dental insurance premiums, but they are just one factor. Other factors that will impact how much you pay for dental insurance include the following.
- Annual and lifetime maximums: Higher coverage limits tend to mean higher premiums.
- Deductible: A higher deductible can lower the premium, but you’ll pay more for dental care before the insurance company starts paying its portion.
- Coinsurance: The higher the percentage the dental insurance provider pays for your care, the higher the plan cost.
- Provider network: A dental preferred provider organization (PPO) plan often costs more per month than an HMO because you have a wider network of dentists to choose from. HMOs won’t cover out-of-network dentists.
- Additional coverages: You might pay more if the dental insurance plan covers other dental benefits like braces and teeth whitening.
How to find a dental insurance policy without a waiting period
The best dental insurance with no waiting period depends on the type of dental care you need, your preferred dentist and your budget. Here are some things to consider when shopping for dental insurance with no waiting period.
Know where to look for waiting periods
Most dental insurance plans don’t have a waiting period for preventive care, but typically have them for basic services, major services and orthodontics. When searching for dental insurance with no waiting period, make sure there isn’t a waiting period for all types of dental care, not just preventive services.
Determine your dental insurance policy type
If you prefer to keep your dentist, check to see what dental insurance they take when looking for a new plan. In-network dentists agree to charge smaller fees and dental insurers will cover more of your dental care costs than out-of-network dentists.
A DHMO plan, or dental health management organization plan, won’t cover your dentist if they’re out of the network. If you want your choice of dentists, a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan may be worth it since these plans cover out-of-network dentists.
A fee-for-service plan is another option. You get your choice of dentists and don’t have to worry about networks or waiting periods. You pay a predetermined percentage of the covered dental service and the dental insurer takes care of the rest.
Consider all dental insurance costs
Budget for monthly premiums isn’t the only cost when it comes to dental care. You should also consider the amount you’ll pay out of pocket for services. After you decide whether an HMO or PPO plan best suits your specific needs, compare each dental insurance policy’s annual maximums, deductibles, coinsurance and provider networks to find the best option for you.
Ameritas
Best dental insurance with no waiting period FAQs
Buying a dental insurance policy without a waiting period is the easiest way to get around the waiting period. The dental insurance provider may also let you skip the waiting period if you switch plans within the same company or switch companies but don’t have a coverage gap.
“Individuals who change their type of plan with the same insurance provider or switch to a new insurer without a lapse in coverage will likely not have a waiting period,” said Paul Walker, Associate Director of Dental Product Management at Sun Life U.S.
If you leave your employer and can’t take your employer-based coverage with you, the same insurer will typically waive the dental waiting period if you sign up for a standalone dental insurance policy.
“Waiting periods are one plan feature that helps keep dental insurance costs low and ensure patients receive appropriate preventive care before moving forward with more expensive procedures,” said Walker. Waiting periods can also prevent people from buying a plan only to drop it after it covers major dental services.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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