What does the average American pay for dental insurance?

Asked by: Ms. Linda Lind  |  Last update: June 6, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (50 votes)

Dental insurance premiums range from around $7 per month to $87 per month, according to our review of quotes across 17 dental insurance companies.

How much does the average American spend on dental insurance per month?

On average, dental insurance premiums can cost between $15 and $50 per person per month. Most dental insurance plans cover 100% of preventive care, 50-80% of basic procedures like fillings, and 50% of major procedures like crowns.

How much do most people pay for dental insurance?

Monthly premiums

The premium is a monthly amount that you and/or your employer pays for insurance. The premium amount may vary between different insurance companies and from plan to plan. A typical premium amount for a dental plan may be $20–$50 per month for an individual or $50–$150 per month for a family.

How much does the average employee pay for dental insurance?

Based on Investopedia's research1 of 17 dental insurance companies, the average cost of monthly premiums can vary between $7 and $87. Basic preventive care plans are cheaper, and dental insurance policies with comprehensive coverage are more costly.

How much do Americans spend on dental care?

Americans spend an average of $432 a year on dental services, according to the latest ValuePenguin study. However, just 65.9% of adults went to the dentist in the past year. In addition to reviewing our findings, stick around for tips on utilizing dental insurance to access better or more affordable care.

Do You Need Dental Insurance?

45 related questions found

Why is dental care so unaffordable?

On top of setup costs, daily operations add up. Hiring skilled team members, maintaining advanced dental technology, and providing a comfortable patient experience require ongoing investments. Dental materials often come with steep markups.

What is a good deductible for dental insurance?

The deductible is the amount of dental expense for which the beneficiary (i.e., patient) is responsible before a dental plan will assume any liability for payment of benefits. The deductible may be an annual or one-time charge, and may apply to an individual or a family. $50 is still the most common deductible.

What is the most common employer dental insurance?

Dental Benefit Plan Design

While there are several different plan designs for dental benefits, by far the most common are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, accounting for more than 8 out of 10 employer-sponsored dental plans.

How much does health, dental, and vision insurance cost per month?

The average dental premium for an individual is about $20 to $60 per month. For a family it can range from $50 to $150 per month. Vision insurance premiums can range from as little as $5 to $50 per month. Don't worry about paying hefty out-of-pocket costs.

What is the best insurance to have for dental?

Best Dental Insurance Companies for January 2025
  • Best Overall and Best for Braces, Implants, and Older Adults: Delta Dental.
  • Best Overall Cost-to-Value: Physicians Mutual.
  • Best for No Annual Maximum: MetLife.
  • Best for No Waiting Period: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
  • Best for Customer Satisfaction: DentaQuest.

Is it cheaper to have dental insurance or pay cash?

If you only expect to go to the dentist for a couple of regular checkups throughout the year, you'll save money by just using cash to pay the dentist yourself rather than investing $360 a year in an insurance plan.

Why is dental insurance so high?

On top of it, dentists have to rely on insurance companies to find them patients but insurance companies offer very low reimbursement rates(this is the amount insurance companies pay to the dentist for the work carried by them) to dentists. This way companies get to keep a larger portion of the patients' premiums.

Which state has the most expensive dental care?

Lowest dental treatment costs: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Highest dental treatment costs: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

What is the average cost of dental insurance for seniors?

Rates for individuals depend on the plan you choose and your location, with average premiums ranging from $20 to $60 per month. We were quoted for prices in Miami, and the most affordable plan, Spirit Preventive Plus PPO, costs about $20.15 per month, with maximum annual benefits of $1,000 per person.

What percent of Americans have dental insurance?

NADP estimates that 87 percent of the U.S. population has dental insurance in 2023—1 percent less than in 2022.

What are the three main types of dental plans?

Types of Dental Insurance

There are four general types of dental coverage: 1) dental preferred provider organization (DPPO or PPO); 2) dental health maintenance organization (DHMO or HMO); 3) dental indemnity insurance; and 4) discount dental/dental savings plans.

Who is the largest dental insurance company in us?

Delta Dental has the distinction of being the single largest dental insurance provider in the United States with over 80 million people enrolled across the plans offered by Delta Dental entities. The company leverages this scale of enrollees to attract a large number of dentists to their networks.

What is a good annual maximum on dental insurance?

A dental annual maximum is the total amount your dental plan will pay toward your care in a 12-month period (also known as the benefit period). Annual maximums typically range between $1,000 and $2,000 – and most people never reach this amount in their benefit period.

What does dental insurance not cover?

Many plans do not cover elective services or procedures deemed cosmetic in nature. This means that treatments like teeth whitening or veneers may not be covered under your dental insurance policy.

How can I fix my teeth if I don't have money?

Free Dental Clinics
  1. Nonprofit clinics. Some cities have dental clinics that specifically serve people with low incomes, no insurance, or who otherwise can't afford care.
  2. Donated services. Some state or national charities use donated labor and materials to give free care. ...
  3. Private dentists.

What's the most expensive dental procedure?

Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including improved oral function and aesthetics. But, this also means that they come with a higher price tag. The cost of a single dental implant can range from $3,000 to $6,000, and additional expenses may apply if bone grafting or other preparatory procedures are required.

How to get dental work done without insurance?

If getting a plan is not an option, there are a few other ways to get dental care without insurance:
  1. Dental Schools. There are schools all around the country looking for hands-on experience. ...
  2. Clinics. ...
  3. Dentists for Uninsured Patients. ...
  4. The Cost of Dental Care with Dental Insurance.