What Is Full Coverage Dental Insurance?

By Insurance Industry Expert & Author
Updated on
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In this article

Benefits, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Plan Examples

Unlike Medicare Advantage plans and Affordable Care Act plans, dental insurance does not have a list of standard benefits shared among all plans. As a consequence, some dental plans have “bare bone” coverage while others have broad benefits. Given this disparity in benefit designs, consumers often ask, “What is full coverage dental insurance?” and where can I buy it?

Knowing the interrelationship between these issues will help a consumer find true full coverage insurance and ignore plans that claim wide coverage but pay for very little in actual practice.

Questions answered and ready to buy?

Full Coverage Dental Insurance

As mentioned earlier, there is no standard definition of dental insurance benefits. With that said, consumers looking for a full coverage plan should seek a dental plan whose benefits include:

Preventive care

  • At least two routine oral exams and teeth cleanings per year
  • At least one dental x-ray per year
  • At least two topical fluoride treatments per year

Filling coverage

  • Fillings may have limits such as one per tooth per year or two years
  • There is often different coverage for traditional fillings versus cosmetic white fillings

Extraction coverage

Crown coverage

  • Crowns benefits may vary according to the type of crown such as:
    • Porcelain/Ceramic substrate
    • Porcelain with gold
    • Porcelain with non-precious metal or a semi-precious metal
  • The replacement of a crown may incur different costs than the initial implementation of a crown

Periodontics coverage

  • Periodontics deals with the supporting structures of teeth such as the gums and the jawbone
  • Care may be nonsurgical or surgical
  • Root planing is an example of periodontic care

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Endontics coverage

  • Endontics deals with dental treatments within the interior of a tooth, such as a root canal
  • Services such as a root canal may have a limit of one per tooth per lifetime

Oral surgery coverage

  • This includes not only surgery but also related services such as deep sedation or anesthesia

There is an important issue associated with full coverage dental plans: waiting periods. Some plans have all the benefits attributed to “full coverage” but some of the dental services covered may have a dental insurance waiting period where a consumer must be enrolled for a specified period of time before the insurance plan will pay for the service. Usually waiting periods are associated with more expensive dental services such as dental implants.

Full Coverage Dental Insurance Cost

There are many dental plans that provide full coverage at affordable prices. While we have a list of full coverage dental plans at the bottom of the page, this article will also help you recognize which full coverage dental plans are bargains where you get more coverage for less money. You can see the dental plan options available in your zip code by visiting our dental insurance quote page.

Benefit Out-of-Pocket Costs

Benefits are only half the story of full coverage dental plans. The other half is the out-of-pocket costs charged for those benefits. For example, if a plan only pays for 10 percent of the cost of root canal, does that really constitute meaningful coverage of that benefit?

Dental costs come in four main forms:

  • Deductible
  • Copayments/coinsurance fees
  • Maximum annual benefit
  • Cost of uncovered care

Just as benefits are not standard among dental plans, neither are the out-of-pocket costs charged for their use. Deductibles, the out-of-pocket costs you pay before an insurance policy will begin sharing costs, average under $100. A very high deductible undermines the value of the dental insurance. With respect to coinsurance, where the enrollee pays a percentage of the total dental service charge, fees amounting to more than 50 percent of the service cost are often perceived as less than “full coverage” since the patient pays more for the care than the insurance company.

A dental plan’s maximum annual benefit, that is to say, the cap on the insurance policy’s benefit payments, is often around $1,500 annually. A full coverage plan is generally considered to have a maximum benefit of $2,500 or higher, though some full coverage plans may start with a lower maximum in the first year of coverage but satisfy the $2,500 threshold after a period of continuous enrollment.

Finally, there is the matter of uncovered care. If the limitations of the policy or the narrowness of the dentist provider network significantly increases the probability of uncovered care, then it is reasonable to question whether the dental plan truly constitutes comprehensive coverage.

Full Coverage Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period

Some dental plans have full coverage but delay more expensive benefits until you have been enrolled for a while (e.g. six months). This delay is known as a waiting period. If you need immediate dental work and can’t accept a delay on coverage, see our article on Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period.

Need some help choosing a dental plan?

Our agents can:

  • Answer your questions
  • Confirm if your dentist is in-network
  • Enroll you over the phone
800-296-3800

Orthodontry?

We normally associate orthodontic care with the correction of misaligned teeth through the use of braces. While braces are certainly a matter of oral care, it is not a standard benefit within dental policies. Most privately purchased dental plans have no benefits regarding orthodontic services. In fact, a DentalInsurance.com nationwide study of dental plans found only 28 percent had some level of coverage for braces. This is unfortunate since braces, and its attendant orthodontist visits, can cost around $5,000, though these costs may exceed $10,000 in some cases.

Many dental plans fail to cover orthodontic services. Among those plans that do offer orthodontic coverage, look carefully at
  • The maximum amount the plan will pay towards braces
  • The waiting period before orthodontic care will be covered
  • The oldest age a dependent child may be in order to qualify for orthodontic coverage
  • Network limitations

Full Dental Coverage Plans

The information provided within this article provides a means by which to evaluate the breadth and quality of your dental benefits. If you find your dental coverage lacking, you should consider comparing other dental plans available in your area to establish how their benefit breadth and costs compare to your current coverage.

We can help you find the plan that best suits YOUR needs.

Full Coverage Dental Insurance Plans Examples by State

With a better understanding of full coverage dental insurance, you can make a more informed judgment about your options. To compare dental insurance prices in your area, you can visit our dental insurance quote page. For a quick review of dental plans considered to be full coverage, see the table below. Please make note that:

  • This is not a exhaustive list
  • Always review the plan details to verify the extent of coverage and its out-of-pocket costs. You can see this information on the plan pages linked below. You can also read a plan’s Summary of Benefits or get a comparison of your local plans using our plan comparison tool where every plan has a More Details link for additional information on the scope of each plan benefits. Once in the More Details section, you can click the Full Plan Information button within the More Details section.
  • Check to see if there is a waiting period before a particular dental services is eligible for coverage

One last reminder - some plans listed may not be available in every region of the state in which it's offered.

State Insurance Company Plan
Alabama Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Alaska Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
Arizona Humana Extend 2500
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Arkansas Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
California California Dental Plan 595
  Dental Health Services SmartSmile
Colorado Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
Connecticut Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Humana Extend 5000
Delaware Dominion National Select Plan Basic
  Dominion National Select Plan Premium
Florida Humana Extend 2500
  Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
Georgia Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Hawaii Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
Idaho Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  Humana Extend 5000
Illinois Humana Dental Value Plan C550
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
Indiana Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Iowa Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
Kansas Humana Extend 2500
  Humana Extend 5000
Kentucky Humana Dental Value Plan C550
  Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
Louisiana Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Maine Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
Maryland NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Massachusetts Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Michigan Humana Extend 2500
  Humana Extend 5000
Minnesota Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Mississippi NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Missouri Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  Humana Extend 5000
Montana Delta Dental Immediate Coverage Plan
  (The Immediate Coverage Plan lacks implant coverage)
Nebraska Humana Extend 5000
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
Nevada Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
New Hampshire Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
New Jersey NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
New Mexico Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
New York Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Incentive
  Humana Extend 2500
North Carolina Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
North Dakota Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Ohio Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Humana Extend 5000
Oklahoma Humana Extend 2500
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Oregon Dental Health Services SmartSmile
  Dental Health Services Super SmartSmile
Pennsylvania Dominion National Select Plan Basic
  Dominion National Select Plan Premium
Rhode Island Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
South Carolina Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
South Dakota Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
Tennessee Humana Dental Value Plan HI215
  The Dental Value Plan HI215 Plan lacks implant coverage)
Texas Humana Extend 2500
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
Utah Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
  Humana Extend 5000
Vermont Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  Renaisssance MAX Choice Plus
Virginia Dominion National Select Plan Basic
  Dominion National Select Plan Premium
Washington State No plans in inventory meeting coverage specification
Washington D.C. Dominion National Select Plan Basic
  Dominion National Select Plan Premium
West Virginia NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan
  NCD Nationwide 5000 Plan
Wisconsin Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Choice Incentive
  Humana Extend 2500
Wyoming Ameritas Dallas Smile Plan
  NCD Nationwide 3000 Plan

Frequently Asked Questions on Full Coverage Dental Insurance

Does Full Coverage Dental Insurance Cover Crowns?

While full coverage dental insurance does not have a standard definition, crown coverage is typically expected if a dental plan wants to be considered “full coverage.” Crowns can be quite expensive, with costs ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on the material used.

Do Full Coverage Dental Plans Cost More?

Not necessarily. There are examples of PPO and HMO full coverage plans that are less expensive than some competing plans covering fewer procedures.

Does Full Coverage Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover orthodontic care. Full coverage insurance typically refers to standard dental procedures and not braces. If a dental plan has orthodontic benefits, it may have a lower maximum benefit for orthodontia and also a lifetime limit on what the plan will contribute toward orthodontic services.

How Much Do Full Coverage Dental Plans Cost?

There is not a standard price for full coverage dental insurance. Prices vary by plan and are affected by the region in which the plan is offered and the number of people enrolled in the plan.

What Are Some Issues That Will Affect My Premium?

Your premium can be affected by the region in which you buy your plan since some markets have more expensive dental care costs than others. Another major factor affecting premium is whether the dental plan shall cover a single individual or multiple family members. Typically, the more enrollees on a dental plan, the higher its monthly premium.

What Are the Procedures I Should Want Covered within a Full Coverage Dental Plan?

If you desire a dental plan with comprehensive benefits, make certain that the insurance covers high-cost root canals, dental implants, dentures, crowns, and deep cleanings alongside more basic care such as fillings, extractions, and annual check-ups.

Need help choosing a plan? Call us at 800-296-3800

Our knowledgeable customer service team will assist you with any questions you may have prior to enrolling in a dental plan. They can guide you through the process of choosing coverage that matches your needs as well as your budget.

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