What is private dental insurance?

Private dental insurance, also known as commercial dental insurance, refers to individual dental insurance plans or dental plans offered through employers and/or private insurance companies. It’s different from public dental coverage, which is offered to eligible members of governmental health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Let’s explore the types of private dental insurance, how much it may cost and more.

Types of private dental insurance

Individual dental plans

Offered by private insurance companies, an individual dental plan is coverage you can buy for you and your family. Unlike group dental plans, you can shop individual dental plans from different companies and choose the best plan for your needs and budget. You can also shop plans that cover dental braces, dentures or any other procedure you or a family member may need.

Group dental insurance

Group dental insurance is coverage offered to you and your family through your employer. With group dental insurance, your employer selects the dental insurance plans you can choose from. Group plans are typically offered as part of a benefits package or bought independently through an insurer.

Supplemental dental insurance

Supplemental dental insurance is a separate dental plan that can be paired with a Medicare Advantage plan or a primary dental plan to enhance your dental benefits. Depending on the plan you choose, supplemental dental insurance can lower your out-of-pocket costs when paying for dental work. To learn more, check out understanding Medicare supplemental dental insurance plans.

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Explore dental plans that are easy to smile about

Humana’s dental plans are budget-friendly and some offer no waiting period. Shop plans and prices in your area today!

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Age

How much is private dental insurance?

According to a Forbes analysis of dental insurance premiums, the average dental insurance policy with comprehensive coverage costs $47/month. A preventive care plan costs an average of $26/month.¹

Factors that can influence the cost of dental insurance include:

Type of plan
Your location
Your age
Deductibles
Coinsurance
Copays
Annual maximums

Explore private dental insurance plan options with Humana

If you’re looking for private dental insurance, Humana can help. We offer a wide range of dental plans with varying levels of coverage, many with affordable monthly premiums. Some of our plans also feature no waiting periods. To see plans and prices in your area, check out our Humana dental insurance page.

Frequently asked questions

What are dental discount plans?

Dental discount plans, are membership plans similar to those for grocery stores or wholesale clubs. You pay 1 fee up front when you buy the plan, or split the annual fee into monthly payments, then pay out of pocket for the discounted dental services you get throughout the year. You can have both dental insurance and a dental discount plan, but you cannot use them both for the same procedure.

What is not covered by dental insurance?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers or dental braces. Some policies also don’t cover pre-existing conditions like missing teeth that were lost or damaged before receiving insurance. To learn about the different types of dental plans and what they cover, check out what dental insurance covers.