Key takeaways
- Think beyond the dental care you need today. Looking at coverage for preventive, basic and major services can help you prepare for dental needs that come up later.
- The monthly premium doesn’t tell you what a dental plan could cost you. Deductibles, copays or coinsurance and annual maximums can all affect what you pay when you use your benefits.
- The right dental plan for you isn’t necessarily the one with the most benefits. What matters is how well the coverage lines up with the care you might need, what you’re comfortable with spending and where you want to get care.
Retirement can change how you get and pay for dental coverage. If you’re still figuring out what happens to your dental benefits when you retire, start with these guides:
- Dental coverage after retirement
- Medicare dental coverage explained
Once you know what dental insurance options are available to you, the next question is: How do you choose the best dental plan to keep you healthy in retirement?
The right dental plan isn’t necessarily the one with the lowest premium or the longest list of benefits. What matters is how well the coverage fits your dental needs, budget and preferences. We recommend starting by looking at what’s covered, what you could pay and whether the plan gives you access to the dentist you want to see.
Understanding What the Dental Plan Covers
What your dental plan covers can matter just as much as having coverage in the first place. Most dental plans group services into three categories: preventive, basic or major dental services. Together, they include everything from regular maintenance to major dental work.
| Preventive services | Basic services | Major services |
|---|---|---|
| Help maintain your oral health and catch problems early | Treats common dental problems or repair damage | Include more complex or involved dental treatment |
| Exams and cleanings | Fillings and simple extractions | Crowns, implants, bridges and dentures |
It’s easy to focus on the care you know you’ll use, like routine exams and cleanings. But your dental needs can look different a year or two into retirement.
Say you’ve had a crown for years. Lately, it doesn’t feel quite the same. Maybe food keeps getting stuck around it or flossing that spot feels tighter than it used to. At your next visit, your dentist tells you the crown needs to be replaced.
Thinking about possibilities like these when you choose a plan can help your prepare for future dental expenses and avoid surprises later. After all, isn’t that the whole point of retirement planning? Making life a little easier for future you.
And don’t assume that because a plan includes a certain category of services, every procedure in that category is covered the same way. Check the plan details to understand what’s covered, what you’ll pay and whether any limitations apply.
Are There Waiting Periods or Other Limitations?
When comparing retiree dental plans, look at more than which services are covered. Check when you can use those benefits too. Some dental plans have waiting periods for certain services, which means you may not be able to use every benefit right away. The plan’s effective date matters too, especially if you’re trying to line up new coverage with the end of your employer-sponsored benefits.
You’ll also want to look for limitations that could affect the care you need. Depending on the plan, there may be frequency limits, annual maximums or other requirements for certain services. Understanding these details before you choose a dental plan can help avoid disappointment when you need care.
Can I see the Dentist I want to See?
If you already have a dentist you like, it’s important to double-check that the dentist will be in your new plan’s network. If not, you’ll have to find a new dentist in the plan’s network or go out-of-network to keep your current dentist. Depending on the plan, going out of network could mean paying more or receiving different benefits.
Even if you don’t have a dentist that you’re attached to, it’s still a good idea to look at the network. Having a dentist nearby can make your benefits easier to use. If you plan on traveling in retirement, you may also want to look at how the plan covers you when you need dental care outside of your home state, and whether their network is strong across the country.
What Dental Insurance and Care Can Cost in Retirement
The cost of dental insurance in retirement is more than the premium, or the amount you pay each month to have coverage. What you spend can also depend on how much dental care you need and how your plan shares those costs with you.
For example, your plan may have a deductible, which is an amount you pay toward certain covered services before the plan starts paying its share. After that, you may still pay a portion of the bill through a copay or coinsurance. Many dental plans also have an annual maximum, which is the most your plan will pay toward covered care during a benefit year.
Remember that crown we were talking about? Two plans could both cover major services and still leave you paying different amounts to replace it. One plan may have a lower monthly premium but leave you responsible for a larger share of the crown. Another plan might cost a little more each month but pick up more of the bill when you need care.
That’s why the price of a dental plan doesn’t tell you the whole story. Looking at what you’ll pay to have coverage alongside what you could pay to use it can give you a better sense of how the plan fits your retirement budget. There’s no single combination of costs and benefits that works for everyone. The goal is to understand what you’re paying for and what you’re getting in return.
How to Compare Dental Plans for Retirees
Comparing dental plans for your retirement gets easier when you focus less on who has the longest list of benefits and more on which benefits matter to you. As you weigh your options, these questions can help you focus on what matters most:
- What could I pay for coverage and care?
Look at the premium, deductible, copays or coinsurance and annual maximum together. A plan with a higher premium could make sense if it leaves you paying less when you need more involved care. On the other hand, paying more each month for benefits you’re unlikely to use might not make sense for you. - Will the plan cover the dental care I might need?
Start with what you already know about your smile. If an older crown might eventually need attention, look closely at major services benefits. If you wear dentures or have an implant, check how the plan handles those services rather than assuming they’re included because the plan offers major coverage. If there is anything your dentist mentioned that could require attention in the future, make sure you understand how the plan covers those services. - Are there waiting periods of limitations?
Read the details to understand when coverage begins and whether there are limits on certain services. - Can I see the dentist I want to see?
Check whether your current dentist is in the plan’s network or whether there are convenient in-network options near you. - Does the plan fit my retirement budget?
Consider both the cost of having coverage and what you could pay when you use it.
You might not find a plan that checks every box, and that’s okay. Comparing dental plans is really about knowing which boxes matter most to you. Once you know your priorities, you’re in a better position to choose coverage that works for your dental needs and retirement budget.
Ready to Make Dental Coverage Part of Your Retirement Plan?
Choosing dental insurance on your own may be new, but you don’t have to figure it out by guessing. You now know what to look for, what questions to ask and which details deserve a closer look before you enroll.
If an individual dental plan is right for you, Delta Dental of Arizona offers options you can buy on your own. And because retirement looks different for everyone, having options means you get more of say in what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t one dental insurance plan that’s best for every retiree. Look for a plan that matches the care you might need, what you’re comfortable spending and where you want to get care.
Yes. Individual dental insurance plans let you buy coverage on your own rather than through an employer. Delta Dental of Arizona offers several individual dental plans to choose from, including dental plans with no waiting periods.
Yes, but they’re not always labeled as such. Adults over 65 can buy individual dental insurance, and because you’re more likely to have dental issues as you age, plans with coverage for restorative care, including fillings, crowns, dentures and implants are great options. Depending on your situation, you may also have access to dental coverage through other sources, such as a spouse’s employer or a Medicare Advantage plan with dental insurance.
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine dental care. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental insurance, but what’s covered varies by plan.
Costs depend on the plan and coverage. When comparing dental insurance costs, look at more than the monthly premium. Your deductible, copays or coinsurance, annual maximum and the dentist you use can all affect what you spend.
It depends. Before enrolling, check whether your dentist is in the network of the dental plan you’re considering and what happens if you choose to go out of network.
Yes. Delta Dental of Arizona individual and family dental plans that retirees can buy on their own. You can compare plan options based on your budget and dental needs on our website.
