Dental Insurance Coach

Option 1 — Medicare Advantage with dental

Most Medicare Advantage plans now include dental coverage. Coverage varies WIDELY:

• Routine cleanings + exams (basic plans).
• Fillings + extractions.
• Some cover crowns, root canals, dentures (look for "comprehensive dental").
• Annual maximum often $1,000-3,000.

When picking a Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment (Oct 15-Dec 7), compare dental coverage carefully.

Option 2 — Standalone senior dental insurance

• Delta Dental Senior — biggest provider. $30-60/month.
• Humana Dental Plus — multiple tiers.
• Cigna Dental Preventive — basic, cheaper.
• Spirit Dental — no waiting period for many services.
• Physicians Mutual — heavily advertised. Usually NOT the cheapest.

Most have 6-12 month waiting period for major work. Plan ahead.

Option 3 — Dental discount plan (NOT insurance)

$10-15/month for "membership" giving 15-50% off at participating dentists. No waiting period, no annual max. Examples:

• Aetna Dental Access.
• DentalPlans.com — compares many plans.
• Smile Direct (different from braces company).

Best if you only need cleanings and routine work. Often cheaper than insurance.

Option 4 — Dental school clinics

Dental students under supervision do work at 30-50% less. Slower visits, but solid quality. 65 dental schools in the US — most have public clinics. Search "[your area] dental school clinic".

Option 5 — Free or low-cost

• Dental Lifeline Network (dentallifeline.org) — free dental care for medically fragile, disabled, low-income elderly.
• Mission of Mercy — free dental days held in many states. Check missionofmercy.org.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) — sliding-scale dental at 1,400 US clinics. Find at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
• Medicaid — covers dental in many states (varies). Apply at your state\'s Medicaid office.