Small Businesses: What Type Of Florida Dental Coverage Should I Offer
Employers who want their workers to have a variety of choices may opt to offer both an HMO and PPO dental option. That way, employees can decide for themselves the type of coverage that best fits their needs. At eHealth, we offer a wide variety of plan types for small businesses feel free to contact us today to learn more about dental options.
Understand that while looking for the best dental insurance in Florida, you should consider the differences in cost and quality. If you are seeing a plan with a very high premium with low deductibles, this might be good to offer for employees that need a lot of dental care and will benefit from the low out-of-pocket costs for each visit or procedure. Florida dental insurance could also have low premiums, which might also mean high deductibles. Factors like costs and employees needs might make the best dental insurance in Florida different for every small business. Make sure you check out group dental plan quotes available on eHealth, so you can see what youre getting for different prices from great insurance carriers in Florida.
Which Dentists Are In The Network
If you want to stay with your current dentist, ask which insurance plans they accept. Some dental insurance companies have an extensive network of providers while others may require you to switch to an in-network provider in order to obtain coverage. When considering an insurance provider, check to see if dentists are available in your local area to keep your costs low.
How Much Does Dental Insurance In Florida Cost
The best dental insurance in Florida for many insurees will be the most reasonably priced one. Major differences in pricing can be found depending on the state where the policy is purchased. Insurance plans in Florida tend to be more economical and will often cost anywhere from $20 $50 per month or $20 to $600 annually. However, the price of a dental policy in Florida will vary depending on several factors, including age, coverage limits, deductible amount, gender, location, and services covered. There may also be quite a discrepancy in pricing when it comes to specific procedures like braces, bridges, crowns, and dentures.
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Guardian Direct Dental : Best Dental Insurance For Plan Choice
- Customer service issues for some
- Some report delays to bill payments
Guardian Direct Dental Insurance is a division of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, which is one of the biggest mutual insurance companies in America. The provider holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, plus premium ratings for financial strength and stability.
There are a wide range of dental plans on offer here, with an easy search function accessible via the website so that you can find a dentist within the 100,000+ professionals listed as in-network. This is for both PPO and DHMO plans.
Guardian Direct Dental Insurance plan costs are reasonable, with plans starting for as little as $16 per month. You can access up to 35% discounts on some treatments, with reasonable copay options for larger dental treatments.
The Guardian Dental website offers three step-by-step mini Q& As to help you find the right dental coverage. Just answer the questions to get a hassle-free quote.
What Does The Plan Cover

Consider your current and future dental needs when comparing dental plans. Preventive services are typically covered and include examinations, X-rays, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment and sealants. While not all plans cover orthodontic coverage, some include coverage for children, so read plan details carefully when making your selection.
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Best Dental Insurance Plans With No Waiting Period Of 2022
- Best Preventive Care: Denali Dental
- Best Basic Coverage: UnitedHealthcare
- Best Major Coverage: Spirit Dental
- Best for Orthodontics: Ameritas
- Best Affordable Coverage: Delta Dental
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $1,500
- States Available: 49
Humana offers the most diverse dental insurance options with no waiting period, with three different plan types to choose from. Factor that in with affordable premiums, low deductibles, and a huge network of providers, and this insurer easily comes out on top as best overall option in our review.
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No waiting period for all covered services on some plans
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Choose from three different plan types
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270,000 in-network dentists
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Higher coinsurance than some competitors
Humana offers no waiting periods with four of its seven dental plans, and the options and benefits available are some of the best in the industry. Those who want coverage to begin immediately can choose from a PPO plan, HMO, or a dental discount plan with some of the lowest premiums we were able to find from any provider.
Humanas Preventive Value Individual and Dental Loyalty Plus plans provide PPO coverage, and we were quoted reasonable rates. Preventive Value Individual is designed for those who need only preventive and basic services, while Dental Loyalty Plus adds major service coverage. Both plans pay for 100% of preventive services. These preventive services include the standard two cleanings with exams per year.
Popular Ppo Dental Plans In Florida
If you are looking for an independent, stand-alone dental insurance plan in Florida, youll have many choices to fit your dental needs and budget. Like health insurance, your plans premium depends on several factors, including your location, age, smoking status, family members added to the plan and more.
Take a look at this comparison of 10 popular PPO plans from the major dental insurance carriers in Florida:
Plan name |
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An Overview Of Our Ranking Methodology
In ranking the top dental insurance companies, its important to use consistent standards when making comparisons. Below you can see the core metrics that we used to evaluate each company.
- Company Reputation and Reliability : Does this company have a stable financial history? Has it been profitable and well-rated by consumers and experts alike?
- Plan Variety : Does this company offer insurance plans structured as HMOs, PPOs, and Indemnity plans? How many plans does the company offer overall? Are loyalty plans and insurance bundling available?
- PPO Coverage Limitations : What are the highest yearly maximum benefit amounts available for this companys regular and loyalty PPO plans? What kind of waiting periods and waiting period waivers do plans have?
- PPO Costs : How expensive are this companys lowest-cost PPO plans? What is the highest percentage of a patients dental costs that PPO plans from this company will cover?
- Dental Insurance Alternatives : Does the company offer dental discount plans for those who want an alternative to traditional dental insurance? What are the terms of the dental discount plans that are offered?
Do You Need Dental Insurance In Florida
According to 2017 data collected by the Public Health Dental Program, Florida ranks poorly in the following categories measuring oral health:
- Percentage of adults with fair to poor oral condition
- Percentage of adolescents who have visited a dentist in the past year
Data also shows that almost half of Florida adults had permanent teeth removed because of gum disease in 2018, and nearly 20% of adults aged 60 and above had no natural teeth left. Regarding Floridas younger generation, a quarter of 3rd-grade children in Florida had untreated tooth decay.
Unfortunately, the high cost of dental care can prevent Florida residents from getting the dental care they need. However, people with dental insurance are more than twice as likely to visit a dentist, according to the American Dental Association. Luckily, Florida has a variety of independent, stand-alone dental plans available for Florida residents that can help reduce the cost of their dental care.
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Best Basic Coverage: Unitedhealthcare
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $3,000
- States Available: 47
UnitedHealthcare is our review’s best for basic coverage with several affordable choices that cover all of your basic dental needs, and most of UnitedHealthcares dental insurance policies impose no waiting period for these basic services, accompanied by low coinsurance rates that decrease every year you stay with the provider.
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Low coinsurance fees for basic services
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No wait for preventive coverage and often basic too
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Six-month waiting period for major services on some plans
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Only one plan to cover orthodontics
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Poor coverage for major services
Even with good oral hygiene and routine preventive care, most people need basic dental services such as fillings at some point. If youre looking for insurance to cover these treatments and you dont want to wait six months to a year for the policy to take effect, we recommend UnitedHealthcare. Seven of the providers 10 dental plans have no waiting period for either preventive and basic services.
UnitedHealthcare offers a wide array of dental policies. Many cover major services, but usually with a six-month wait. However, just one plan covers orthodontics, but coverage wont begin until 12 months after the policy start date.
How Much Is Dental Insurance
Dental plan premiums range from $17 to $96. Cost varies per plan type, coverage level and state of residence.
The plans with the lowest premiums cover preventive procedures and offer minimal or no coverage for basic and major services. On the other hand, the plans with the highest premiums tend to have shorter or no waiting periods, high annual limits and comprehensive coverage for preventive, basic and major work.
If purchasing a dental insurance plan doesnt make sense for your financial situation, consider low-cost alternatives to dental health insurance such as dental school clinics and state assistance programs.
Cost of common dental procedures
The cost of dental care depends significantly on the provider, the location and whether the patients insured.
To give readers a general idea, we looked at the average cost of common dental procedures in the 2020 Survey of Dental Fees published by the American Dental Association . Then, we calculated how much that procedure would cost with an insurance policy that covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic work and 50% of complex procedures.
Heres what we found:
Cost without dental insurance |
$264 $693 |
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Best For Veterans: Metlife
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $3,500
- States Available: 50
If youre receiving VA health benefits, MetLifes VADIP dental insurance plans offer no waiting periods alongside other perks for veterans and is the best we found here for veterans.
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Affordable coverage for veterans and their dependents
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500,000 provider network access locations
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Annual maximums as high as $3,500
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Must be enrolled in the VA health care program for the veterans dental plan
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Only two policy options available
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24-month waiting period for orthodontics
Insurance provider MetLife enforces waiting periods for most of its policies, but these are waived for retired service members through the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program . Open to any veteran enrolled in the VA health care program, these dental policies are available at two coverage levels: Basic and High. For the standard plan, a single veteran will be charged between $28.89 and $33.80 a month. For the high plan, a single veteran will be charged between $61.14 and $71.53 a month.
MetLife is a global insurance provider offering insurance in many lines and has been doing business since 1868. The company holds an A+ rating from AM Best, indicating solid financial strength. MetLifes dental network for veterans includes over 500,000 participating locations, one of the largest in the country.
Low Cost Vs Low Deductible

You might be fixated on finding the cheapest dental insurance in Florida, but don’t forget to look at all the costs involved. To find the right plan for you, you need to consider:
- Annual or monthly premium: the amount you pay for your cover regardless of any claims
- Annual deductible: the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket each year before your insurer will cover any costs
- Co-payment amount/percentage: the fixed amount or percentage you must pay for each treatment you receive
If your teeth are in generally good health then it may make sense to choose a policy with a low premium but a higher deductible and co-payments. If, however, you anticipate needing a lot of work, you may find it more affordable to pay a higher premium but have lower costs for the work itself.
Note that not all providers offer the option to pay your premium monthly some require annual payment up-front.
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How To Get Dental Implants Covered By Insurance
Dental implants are eligible for coverage if tooth loss results from injury, trauma, or a medical condition. Congenitally missing teeth are not covered. Additionally, coverage only applies to the root replacement . The actual missing tooth may be excluded.
Dental discount plans could help save on implants by reimbursing a portion of the payment. You can combine discount plans with your insurance coverage as long as your doctor accepts them.
How Does Dental Insurance In Florida Work
Dental insurance works in similar ways to health insurance. Depending on the type of dental plan you select, you get some dental benefits, including preventive care, x-rays, cleanings, checkups, and more.
Like senior dental insurance in Florida and individual dental insurance in Florida, certain plans offer a broader or more specific range of coverage besides covering the basic procedures. You might also find insurers offering dental insurance in Florida with no waiting period and plans that also cover major procedures like root canals.
The specific benefits you get depends on the coverage policy you purchase.
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Best For Seniors: Physicians Mutual
Physicians Mutual
We chose Physicians Mutual for seniors since there are no annual or lifetime limits on the coverage, including benefits to help pay for dentures, and it offers specialized pricing for a senior’s budget.
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No waiting period for preventive care
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No annual or lifetime limits on benefits
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Three-month waiting period for basic procedures
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12-month waiting period for major work
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Limits on how much they pay per procedure
Physicians Mutual dental insurance can be trusted for its financial strength since the company has an A rating from AM Best. This provider also has plans that can be particularly good for seniors since they include coverage for up to 350 procedures, including crowns and dentures.
Physicians Mutual dental insurance doesnt have any deductibles, and coverage for preventive care like cleanings starts right away. A waiting period of three months applies to basic care like fillings and extractions, and a 12-month waiting period applies to major services like crowns and root canals.
Physicians Mutual policies come with no annual or lifetime benefit limits on your coverage, and you can choose your dentist from its network of more than 500,000 providers.
Physicians Mutual offers three basic dental insurance plans. These include:
- Economy Plus plan starts at $30.10 per month
- Standard Plus plan starts at $37.80 per month
- Preferred Plus plan starts at $46.75 per month
Types Of Dental Coverage
You can choose between a wide range of coverage options, benefit maximums and premium costs for dental insurance. In addition to these options, youll also have to decide what type of dental coverage you want.
Youll generally be able to pick from 3 common types of dental coverage in Florida:
- Dental preferred provider organization
- Dental health maintenance organization
- Dental discount plans
Each type of insurance or plan has different benefits and drawbacks. Understand a few key dental insurance terms before you take a closer look at the types of dental coverage available.
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From Learning To Shopping: Time To Save Money On Florida Dental Insurance
Now that you’re educated on the Florida dental insurance market, you’re better prepared to compare rate quotes for dental insurance. The following link will get dental insurance quotes for plans available in your region of Florida. You can also look at the bestsellers below to see what Florida plans have the highest sales on DentalInsurance.com.
- State Flower: Orange blossom
Why Do Smokers Pay More For Dental Insurance
Most dental insurance companies charge smokers higher premiums than they do those who dont use tobacco. This is because insurance companies assume more financial risk when they cover a smoker.
In general, someone is considered a smoker if he or she has smoked in the past year. Some insurance companies extend that criterion back as far as five years, according to InsuranceQnA.com .
The reason why smokers are charged higher dental insurance premiums is that those who smoke are more prone to diseases of the gums and teeth, the article says. In fact, smoking is considered one of the main reasons for tooth loss.
The Oral Health Foundation argues that individuals who smoke tend to produce more bacterial plaque in their mouths than normal, which can ultimately cause gum disease.
The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don’t heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and causes gum disease to get worse more quickly than in non-smokers.
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Metlife Dental Insurance User Reviews And Ratings
- Rated A+ at Better Business Bureau
- Scores 4.4 via Consumers Advocate
Like a lot of the big dental health insurance companies, MetLife has is rated A+ at the Better Business Bureau, and has a 4.4 star rating at Consumers Advocate. That said, reviews are a mixed bag across different websites, and it seems as though customer service is at the heart of both the positive and negative reviews.
Some praised the service received, while others were frustrated with long wait times on phones, and lack of payments where cover was allegedly not fairly dealt out.
Positive reviews on ConsumerAffairs stated that, ‘There was never an issue with claims processing,’ and that the policy was, ‘an add on to my existing health insurance through my employer. The value was great.’
- Read our full MetLife Dental Insurance review for in-depth analysis