North Carolina Dental Insurance

Types of NC Dental Coverage

Dental benefits are not a one-size-fits-all product. There are several options from which to choose, and they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. The main options available to residents of North Carolina are:

• PPO dental insurance
• HMO dental insurance
• Indemnity dental insurance plans
• Discount dental plans and cards

Traditional dental insurance is similar to medical insurance. In exchange for the payment of a monthly premium, an enrollee receives coverage for a predetermined list of services. For an HMO (a dental health maintenance organization) insurance plan, the enrollee must obtain dental care from a dentist (or related specialist like an oral surgeon) belonging to the HMO's network. Out-of-network care is typically not covered. A dental preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan, in contrast, does have out-of-network coverage but at higher out-of-pocket costs for the enrollee.

Indemnity plans do not have a network so the enrollee can use whichever dentist he or she prefers. However, an indemnity plan does not work like insurance. The enrollee pays for dental care at the time of service and then receives a reimbursement for the indemnity plan. Moreover, the reimbursement level is fixed regardless of what the dentist charges so there can be a considerable difference between what the dentist charges for care and what the indemnity plan pays.

A dental discount program has some similarities with the previous two options discussed. Like an HMO plan, it employs a network of dentists. Like an indemnity plan, it is not insurance but a different form of dental benefits.

NC Premiums as low as $12.95

An examination of two dozen North Carolina dental plans found premiums as low as $8.95 a month for a sole enrollee, and as high as $96.84. Premiums were higher for families, since each enrollee increased the cost of monthly coverage. The least expensive option in the study was the discount program Careington 500 Series Dental Savings. The most expensive was an indemnity plan that combined dental benefits with vision benefits, the Nationwide Classic 2000 + VSP Premium. The remainder of the plans whose data was available for study were PPO plans. The average premium across all 24 plans, including the dental discount program, was $44.20 for single coverage (rate quotes were obtained for a 33 year-old sample applicant). 13 of the 24 plans in the study had monthly premiums below the $44.20 average.

The majority (79.2 percent) of plans reviewed paid 100% for dental cleanings, meaning annual cleanings did not have a copayment or coinsurance fee charged. 17 percent of plans charged the enrollee 20% of the cleaning cost, and the dental discount plan charged $45 for a cleaning treatment. With respect to out-of-pocket costs, the average deductible for these North Carolina dental plans was $64.58 a year. Only one plan in the study had no deductible.

The maximum amount a plan would pay in a year for an enrollee's dental care varied substantially from one plan to another. The one discount card within the group had no limit on the discount savings it provided. The remainder of plans (22 PPO dental plans and one indemnity plan) all had monetary limits. The average annual limit was $1,987. The most generous plan, the NCD Complete by MetLife, had a maximum annual benefit of $10,000.

Despite the fact that waiting periods are common in dental plans, 45.8 percent of the NC dental plans reviewed had no delays on any of their preventive, basic, or major dental service coverage. With respect to coverage of very expensive services such as braces and dental implants, the state plan review found:

• 25 percent of the study’s 24 NC dental plans covered some level of orthodontia (though in some cases this coverage was limited to dependent children on the plan)
• 12.5 percent had teeth whitening benefits
• 58.3 percent had coverage for dental implants

Ready to Shop for a NC Dental Plan

Now that you're educated on North Carolina’s dental insurance market, you're in a better position to compare the value behind the rate quotes you receive for different plans. The following link will get dental insurance quotes for plans available in your zip code. For the top-selling North Carolina dental plans on DentalInsurance.com, see the Bestsellers section lower on this page.

North Carolina has a variety of insurance companies offering dental coverage. Some of the more famous brands include:

1. MetLife Dental
2. Humana Dental
3. Guardian Dental
4. Renaissance Dental
5. Ameritas
6. NCD

Help on Finding Specific Types of Dental Coverage

Have a specific need with respect to dental insurance such as no waiting period or orthodontic coverage? The sections below link to articles that include state-by-state examples of dental plans catering to distinct needs.

North Carolina Dental Insurance No Waiting Period

Want a NC dental plan with no delays for the coverage of expensive dental services? See our article on Dental Insurance No Waiting Period which includes a list of plans that lack waiting periods.

Full Coverage Dental Insurance North Carolina

Dental benefits are not standardized but there are plans covering preventive, minor, and major dental services. See our Full Coverage Dental Insurance for both an explanation of what is meant by full coverage and examples of full coverage plans.

North Carolina Dental Insurance Covering Implants

A dental implant is a major dental procedure and has a high price tag. For more information on this treatment as well as examples of North Carolina plans with implant coverage, see Dental Insurance Covering Implants.

Dental Insurance that Covers Braces

Most privately-purchased dental plans lack coverage for orthodontic care, but there are plans on the market offering this benefit. To explore where ones are available in North Carolina, see Dental Insurance that Covers Braces.

Dental Insurance Covering Teeth Whitening

Several procedures in cosmetic dentistry are uncovered by traditional dental insurance plans. This means a service such as veneers are typically paid out-of-pocket by patients (with no financial assistance from their insurance plans). However, an increasing number of plans are broadening their benefits to include coverage for teeth whitening, which is among the most popular of cosmetic dental treatments. Our page on Dental Insurance for Teeth Whitening includes a list of plans that cover some form of teeth whitening.

What’s the best North Carolina dental insurance?

People value different features on dental insurance so “the best NC dental insurance” is a subjective judgment. With respect to PPO and indemnity plans with maximum benefits, the plan with the most generous annual limit is the NCD Complete by MetLife. This plan pays up to $10,000 per year for various covered dental care.

Other plans increase their value by dandling other benefits with their dental coverage. The Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 3500 adds vision and hearing benefits to their dental plan, and the Humana Extend 2500 and Humana Extend 5000 both combine vision benefits with dental benefits.

How much does dental insurance cost in North Carolina?

Your monthly premium depends on factors such as what plan you choose and the number of family members covered by the plan. For a 33-year-old living in Raleigh in 2024, our monthly premiums started from $8.95 for a dental discount program and $23 for the lowest cost PPO plan. The most expensive plan among eight separate dental companies was $95.99 for a Humana plan that combined dental and vision benefits together. The average premium across 24 NC plans examined, including the dental discount program, was $44.20 for single coverage.

Does North Carolina have dental insurance for adults, children, and seniors?

Yes. Private individuals (in other words, people other than companies) can purchase their own dental insurance plans in NC. A single policy can include family members of different ages, including adults, seniors, and children. If you need a policy for a child-only with no adults on the dental plan, you’ll need to confirm the insurer offers this coverage.

How to get dental insurance in North Carolina?

DentalInsurance.com provides online enrollment for dental plans so you don’t have to leave your house to meet with an insurance agent. We also provide a toll free number (at the top of the page) that allows you to speak to a customer service representative who can help you enroll.

Chart of North Carolina Dental Plan Details for this Study

Frequently Asked Questions

How does dental insurance benefit North Carolina residents?

The primary advantage of dental insurance include access to comprehensive dental care, savings versus retail dentist rates, preventive treatments, and emergency coverage. With respect to comprehensive care, not only does NC have plans with road benefits but plan networks provide access to general dentists as well as specialists such as oral surgeons and orthodontists. Dental plans also provide reduced rates for these dental providers since the plans negotiate lower reimbursement amounts with the dentists in their networks. In some cases, plans also charge no out-of-pocket costs for preventive care. Preventive care is a vital aspect of oral health since its procedures help discourage later problems like cavities from developing. Preventive care consists of routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays. The final advantage of dental insurance is coverage of procedures associated with emergency dentistry. For example, when a tooth is knocked out it is vital to seek care quickly to increase the chances that the tooth can be saved.

Can I add a child to an existing dental policy?

In most cases, an insurer will allow a family to add another child to the plan’s coverage. Additionally, individual plans can be expanded to family coverage. In both cases, it is common for premiums to increase as a result of the additional enrollee.

How quickly can my dental insurance coverage begin?

The effective date of insurance coverage (i.e. the first day you can use the plan’s benefits) differs among insurers. In most cases, insurance can be active in a matter of weeks. Some insurers have plans that become active even more quickly. In all cases, a consumer needs to first submit an application for coverage, which can be online.