Best dental insurance with no waiting period of 2024 (2024)

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.

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.

Compare best dental insurance with no waiting period quotes

^{Dental insurance premiums are based on online quotes for a 30-year-old female in California. Your rates may differ.}

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

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.

Best dental insurance with no waiting period FAQs