Senior Dental Insurance (2024)

Inexpensive dental care for seniors

Most affordable health insurance options designed for seniors, such as Medicare, don’t cover regular dental care. But there are ways to reduce the cost of preventive care and expensive restorative treatments typically needed by seniors such as crowns, bridges, dentures and more. Your options include purchasing dental insurance, or joining a dental savings plan.

Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to dental insurance that can save you money on virtually all dental procedures, at more than 140K dentists nationwide. While dental insurance often has annual limits, deductibles and pre-existing conditions, dental savings plans do not. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. Savings range from 10-60% off.

Do seniors need dental insurance?

Dental insurance is intended to reduce the cost of dental care. Seniors who receive Medicare may get the best prices for dental insurance from a Medicare Advantage plan. People over 55 may want to review AARP plans, which are designed to offer coverage for treatments older people often need.

Dental insurance providers typically negotiate lower fees with in-network dentists, and also pay (“cover”) a percentage of the reduced fee. But once you exceed your insurance’s spending limit (typically $1,000 – $1,500) you have to pay for dental care out of your own pocket. Spending limits are a problem for many seniors, who look to insurance to reduce the cost of treatments. One root canal and crown can exhaust your insurance coverage for the year.

Does dental insurance cover everything?

Existing dental problems?

Dental insurance plans typically do not cover costs for treating problems that you have prior to purchasing insurance.

Dental implants?

Typically, no. Dental implants both standard-size and the “mini” sizes used to secure lower dentures are considered a cosmetic treatment, and dental insurance often doesn’t cover cosmetic care.

Dentures and bridges?

Dental insurance usually covers dentures and bridges, up to your annual spending limit. There is usually a year-long waiting period before you are covered for dentures or bridges.

If you have dental issues that need immediate treatment or that will cost more than $1,000, consider joining a dental savings plan.

Dental savings plans

Dental savings plans – sometimes called “dental discount plans” – are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance for seniors. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care. Simply pay the reduced rate directly to the dentist, after receiving care.

What advantages do dental savings plans offer seniors?

• Save more: Use as often as you’d like. Dental savings plans have no annual limits.
• Immediate savings: You get discounts on all the dental treatments included in your plan as soon as it activates, typically within 72-hours of joining.
• Inexpensive: Dental savings plans start at $79.95 annually, while an individual dental insurance policy can start at $290 per year.
• Flexibility: Most dental savings plans offer discounts on treatments for existing conditions and in-progress dental care.
• Easy to join: Everyone is accepted. No age limits or background checks.
• Easy to use: No need to worry about pre-authorizations, approvals, or paperwork.
• Additional discounts: Many plans include savings on prescriptions, senior vision plans, and discounted hearing care and other healthcare services.

Ready to find your best plan? Get started today.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.