What Impacts the Average Dental Insurance Cost?

Dental insurance plans come in all shapes and sizes – each plan carries its own unique level of coverage and cost. For example, a procedure that’s covered under one plan may be covered in exceptional cases only in another plan. If you’re in the process of choosing a dental insurance policy, you likely have more questions than answers.
We’ve set out to answer some of the most common questions about dental insurance.

What Is the Average Cost of Dental Insurance?

If you’re paying for your family’s insurance policy, you can expect to pay between $14 and $50 per person, per month. If you pay annually, you may be looking at an annual rate of $75 to $100 per person.

That said, the cost of insurance varies widely. The insurance provider will factor in a few variables when calculating the cost of your policy, including:

  • Location
  • Overall dental health
  • Level of coverage required

The cost can also vary based on whether the insurance provider is private or public.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Cost is important, but when you’re comparing dental insurance policies, you’ll need to consider cost-benefit instead. It’s not necessarily about how much a policy costs, but rather what it covers for that cost. If Policy A is half the cost of Policy B but covers just 25% of the dental care covered under Policy B, then Policy B may be a better option.

Every dental insurance plan is different, so comparing them can be challenging. While there are plenty of differences, there are some similarities. Most policies will include coverage for:

  • Routine teeth cleanings (usually once or twice per year)
  • Panoramic x-rays
  • Bitewing x-rays
  • Dental exams

What to Look for When Choosing a Dental Insurance Provider

Beyond cost and level of coverage, there are several factors to consider when choosing a dental insurance provider, including:

  • Your dental network. Does your child’s dentist fall into one provider’s network, but not the other’s?
  • Your payment obligations. These vary between providers. Know what costs you’re responsible for before you commit.
  • Preventative services. Prevention is preferable to treatment, so look for a provider that covers preventative services, like cleanings and exams.

Find a Kids’ Dentist that Accepts Your Insurance

Our Kool Smiles Kids Club partner dentist believe that every child should have access to quality dental care. Kool Smiles Kids Club has a network of kid-friendly partner dentists who accept:

  • Most major insurance plans
  • TRICARE
  • Medicaid
  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • State-specific dental plans