How to Shop for Dental Insurance

Shopping for dental insurance can seem like a daunting task. If you’re new to dental insurance, you may not know where to begin. Luckily, purchasing dental insurance is easy. And Spirit Dental makes it even easier with plans that meet your needs head-on!

Have you recently lost dental insurance? 

Losing dental insurance can be stressful. Whether you're recently retired, just coming off of your parent's plan or in-between jobs, Spirit Dental makes it easy to match your needs with the plan that makes the most sense for you!

And remember, with any Spirit Dental plan, you have no waiting periods, meaning you can purchase a dental plan today and visit your dentist tomorrow! Other carriers have 6-12 month waiting periods.

Shopping dental insurance 

Let's make shopping dental insurance as easy as possible with these 12 points of interest! Consider it a checklist of sorts. Feel free to enter you zip code to run a quote and follow along as you check out the Spirit Dental plans.

1. Location matters

When you shop dental insurance, the specific plans that are available in your area will populate based on your zip code. 

2. Premium is your monthly cost

You pay this portion of the plan on a monthly basis. You’ll see that the premium is lower for less benefits and higher for plans offering more comprehensive coverage.

3. Your needs match the plan

Spirit Dental offers low-cost plans focused on preventive care—great for those looking for a plan that covers multiple cleanings per year. Spirit Dental also offers higher end plans that provide comprehensive benefits—great for those looking for a plan that help cover costs for more expensive procedures like implants, crowns and bridges.  

4. Coinsurance based on service

Coinsurance is one way dental insurance helps pay for your dental costs. Coinsurance is the amount of money your dental insurance will pay for a specific dental service. A dental service is broken down into 3 main categories: Preventive, Basic and Major.

It’s important to note, dental insurance is not designed to cover all costs, only to reduce the cost you owe. Except for preventive services which are covered at 100%, basic and major services are broken down into percentages, and all of these benefits graduate into higher percentage as the plan progresses (see below). 

5. Preventive care

Preventive services with Spirit Dental are covered 100%. This means you get 3 cleanings (Spirit Secure is 2) and 2 exams at no additional cost to you. At its core, dental insurance is designed to keep you healthy by going to checkups and having your teeth cleaned, so you don’t have to spend additional money on expensive procedures down the road.

6. Basic care

The Basic category are for more minor procedures, like fillings and bitewing xrays. Here, you’ll notice that there are differing percentage of basic with the four plans shown below—the percentage graduates per year and cap on the final year:

*Plans listed may not be available in your area

7. Major care

The Major category are for dentures, implants and more expensive procedures. Again, these percentages graduate as well, and you see the difference with the plans below—the percentage graduates per year and cap on the final year:

*Plans listed may not be available in your area

8. Network plans

With a network plan, you’re offered contracted lower rates with in-network dentists. To find out if your dentist is in-network, or if you are interested in finding out if a dentist is near you, click the Find Dentist button. This will take you to the Ameritas Network page, and from here, you can view dentists in your area.

9. Choice plans

With Choice plans, you can visit any dentist, and enjoy the perks of having a Spirit Dental plan.

10. Annual Max

Annual Maximum is the amount of money the insurance company will pay towards qualifying dental costs. When you exceed the annual maximum, your costs will be out-of-pocket. If you’re looking for only cleanings, you may be fine with a lower annual maximum, like the Spirt Secure or Spirit Core. If you’re looking to have more major work done, or have a family, Spirit Pinnacle or Senior Preferred may be the plan for you.

11. Deductible

A deductible (similar to health insurance) requires you to pay this amount before the benefits kick in. With Spirit Dental, all plans have a one-time payment of $100, and this is due at your first dentist visit. Other carriers have annual deductibles and you'll pay each year. With Spirit Dental, it's one time and you're done!

12. Effective date

The effective date is when you’d like your dental plan to start. With Spirit Dental, we offer no waiting periods meaning you can choose the next day. If you’d rather have it start at the beginning of the month, you can choose this as well. Or any other day that works.

Dental insurance experts

Congratulations! After reading this guide, you're now considered a dental insurance expert. But, if you have questions, don't worry.

Based out of St. Paul, MN, our licensed dental insurance experts are standing by to take your questions and guide you to the plan that makes the most sense for your needs, situation and lifestyle: (844) 833-8440.

Spirit Dental offers the most accessible dental plans available 

What do we mean by this?

With every Spirit Dental plan, you receive:

• No waiting period—purchase today and see a dentist tomorrow
• Guaranteed acceptance—we also feature a 30 day satisfaction guarantee
• A vast network of dentists—this provides additional savings and convenience with a dentist near you
• Lifetime $100 deductible—you pay this one time and never again

We want to make things easy. It’s easier when you can purchase dental insurance and see your dentist the next day. It’s easier when your needs are met by a dental insurance plan that makes sense for you and your family.

Trust in a Spirit Dental plan that will leave you smiling.

Is there a specific need you’re looking for more info on?

Visit these pages to learn more:

Affordable dental insurance

Individual guide

Senior guide

Procedure pricing by state

Procedures:

Wisdom teeth

Crowns

Dentures

Implants