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5.7

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: September 4th, 2024

If you're looking for dental insurance, you already know that dental health is important. A dental insurance plan can help you save on dental treatment and make visits to the dentist less expensive.

Delta Dental offers good dental insurance. Many of its plan members rate Delta Dental highly and are satisfied with the value offered through coverage, cost, and network of dentists, and customer service. If you're looking for good quality, see if Delta Dental has a plan that meets your needs.

Delta Dental was founded in 1954 by dentists and employers to increase access to dental services. Over the years, Delta Dental has grown from servicing three states to servicing all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and United States territories.

Delta Dental is an industry leader and was the first to offer dental insurance in multiple states. It has a large network of dentists and serves millions of people.

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Customer Review: Mary from Jacksonville, Florida

"My experience with Delta has always been great. Both my spouse and I have delta and was able to stack the coverage on both of our kids braces. We ended up paying less than 1600 for braces for each after each Delta plan paid a part."

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The Good

  • Positive Customer Reviews
  • Plan Variety
  • High Level of Customer Satisfaction
  • Vision Coverage Available

Positive Customer Reviews

Delta Dental has earned much praise from its plan members. Positive Delta Dental reviews describe satisfaction for the cost and value of the company's plans. They also mention quick claims processing and payments. The high number of positive reviews mean that you can purchase a Delta Dental plan confidently.

Plan Variety

Delta Dental offers dental insurance coverage for individuals, retirees, families, and employers. It has six kinds of dental plans available.

  • Delta Dental PPO™ — This insurance plan allows individuals access to the discounted network rates when they receive dental treatment from an in-network provider. It also has low out-of-pocket costs.
  • Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier™ — This plan is just like the Delta Dental PPO™ (Preferred Provider Organization) with the added benefit of coverage for out-of-network dentists.
  • Delta Dental Premier® — This is Delta Dental’s indemnity plan. Individuals with this plan only pay co-pays and deductibles for services received.
  • DeltaCare® USA — This plan is Delta Dental’s HMO and focuses primarily on preventive services.
  • Delta Dental Patient Direct® — With this plan, patients choose a network dentist and pay the dentist their pre-negotiated, discounted fee for the dental service. 
  • Delta Dental Individual and Family™ — Delta Dental offers the same group plans (generally only available to employers) to individuals and families.

With these choices, customers should be able to find the dental coverage and benefits they need at their price point.

Dental insurance plans work slightly differently from health insurance plans, though there are similarities. The Delta Dental PPO™, Delta Dental Premier®, and Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier™ plans all have an annual deductible and copays, like health insurance plans do. Unlike health insurance plans, these three Delta Dental plans also have an annual maximum benefit. The annual maximum benefit is the most that Delta Dental will pay for covered services during the year. Keep this number in mind as you consider the treatment you may need during the year. 

The DeltaCare® USA and the Delta Dental Patient Direct do not have deductibles or an annual maximum benefit. The DeltaCare® USA does have copays.

Finding a participating dentist is easy. Delta Dental members can use Delta Dental's website to find in-network dentists in their area. From the search results, you can choose a dental provider. Visiting participating dentists allows you to take full advantage of your plan's dental savings.

As you evaluate your dental plan options, consider the dental services you'll likely need. Check to make sure that your needs are included in a plan's covered services. Cleanings and dental check-ups usually fall under preventive care. Basic treatment generally includes dental work like fillings. Major services include dental procedures like root canals, crowns, and bridges. Some plans may also have limitations and exclusions. For example, cosmetic dentistry is typically not covered by dental insurance.

Some plans also require a waiting period before covering certain services.

If you like your current dentist, you should check to see if they are a provider included in your plan's network. With PPO plans, you can usually visit any dentist you'd like. If you visit a network dentist, you can maximize the cost-sharing benefits of your plan.

You should also consider what copayment a plan requires, its deductible, monthly premium, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Monthly premiums should fit comfortably into your monthly budget; however, it's important to also consider your out-of-pocket expenses.

Analyzing the full cost of a plan and what dental procedures and preventive services you need will help you estimate how much money you'll spend on dental care and find a plan that fits your budget.

High Level of Customer Satisfaction

Reviews on bestcompany.com are mostly positive. Clients are typically satisfied with the coverage and service they receive from Delta Dental. Reviewers are also happy with its large network of dental providers.

While some reviewers experienced difficulty with getting procedures approved, claims, and cost, most reviewers are happy with Delta Dental. Keep in mind that Delta Dental offers a few different coverage plans, so customer experience with cost and coverage may be affected by what plan they chose.

Vision Coverage Available

While Delta Dental insurance plans are primarily for dentistry, the company also offers a vision insurance plan called DeltaVision®. With this plan, customers receive discounts for eye exams, glasses, contacts, and laser vision correction. It can be purchased with or separately from dental insurance.

Those looking for both dental and vision coverage can find insurance options through Delta Dental.

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The Bad

  • Availability Varies by State

Availability Varies by State

While Delta Dental's plans are available nationwide, the offerings and rates vary by state. People interested in purchasing insurance from Delta Dental must enter their state, zip code, and birthday on a state- or region-specific site to view the rates and insurance coverage options available to them.

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The Bottom Line

Dental care is an important part of taking care of your overall health. Good oral health and dental hygiene have positive effects on your heart and overall health. Dental insurance can help defray the cost of dental treatment that helps you maintain your dental health.

Delta Dental is a great choice when choosing a dental insurance company. It offers six kinds of dental plans, which makes it easy to find affordable dental coverage. Delta Dental has even made its group plans available to independent customers, not just businesses. This means that individuals can get the same dental benefits as those offered through employers.

Delta Dental's plan offerings and terms vary by state, so be sure to understand the specifics of the plan, like if there is a waiting period for certain services and the coverage available for preventive services and its cost before signing up for dental coverage.

Delta Dental has one of the largest networks of dentists, which makes finding a dentist easier. Visiting a network dentist allows you to access discounted rates for covered dental work. Delta Dental is an insurance provider worth considering.

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Star Rating

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4.0

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254 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

47%

4 grade

26%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

10%

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Cate Jackson

In general, I'm not satisfied with dental insurance. Delta is one of the better ones and is widely accepted, but out of pocket fees are still a lot if you need anything extensive.

4 years ago

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Natalie Brown Boulder, CO

Delta is an alright dental company. They covered quite a bit of my needed dental work, but getting needed work processed through them can be a bit of a hassle. Their rules and restrictions for needed work during a fiscal year were a little annoying also, as some stuff I needed to be done was refused to be paid for. Because of that, I had to pay out of pocket for some of my dental work.

4 years ago

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Anonymous

So we have the family plan. this was also the only company that would sell us a plan that was reasonable. we do have copay and deductibles but your plan is excepted at our dentist office and with the price as well as your work with our dentist is the main reason we are paying our annual fee for the third year now thank you for providing the basics at a reasonable cost and the extra stuff is something you work with us with.

5 years ago

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Sarah Jarrett

They dental coverage doesn’t actually cover very much basic routine cleaning and that’s pretty much it. They don’t cover orthodontic work which I feel they should cover.

4 years ago

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Michelle Bray Pleasant Grove, UT

Delta Dental covers 50% of repairs, provides free teeth cleanings, regular exams. It does not cover braces. There are many dentists to choose from in network. Some coverage is better than no coverage. You may want to look into additional dental coverage to add to it.

3 years ago

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Alexis Hirschi Salt Lake City, UT

They have been a good insurance company. I was not ever a fan of having to assign myself to a specific dentist in a list of only certain options, but prices were good for what I got.

3 years ago

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mccandless24 Kaysville, UT

We were happy to see numerous options for dentists that took Delta Dental in our area. We have been very happy with our provider and with the service we have received. Would recommend.

4 years ago

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Ashley Johnson Las Vegas, NV

Wide variety of locations that accept Delta Dental. Not very comprehensive coverage, and typically large out of pocket expenses.

3 years ago

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Michael Lindert Crawfordville, FL

Lack of large in area providers makes it often difficult to get dental work done without paying large amounts of money out of pocket.

4 years ago

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Naya Tallahassee, FL

This service didn't quite cover all of my needs and the actual benefits are scarce as far as contribution from the insurance company.

5 years ago

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Richard Boston, MA

Seems like I had to fight with claims to get coverage reimbursed. Few Dentists accepted

1 year ago

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MBA Dallas, TX

It has an affordable price but lack providers. It helps pay the bill but at a low level.

1 year ago

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Tammy

There and isn't much that is covered aside from your basic annual check ups and light work..

4 years ago

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Teri M. Valley Springs, CA

The fact you have to wait 6 months for any major dental work to be done before they pay!

5 years ago

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Jesus Alfonso GONZALEZ

They did not covered services l paid $880.00 extra, besides my co-pay and deductible.

5 years ago

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Carolyn Fleming

There is a growing need for implant coverage for retirees. Delta does not offer this coverage.

5 years ago

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Trenton Prestwich Taylorsville, UT

Seems to cover all I need from a dental stand point never had. Service denied and the premiums are standard.

5 years ago

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Chris Dublin, OH

Easy to use, but being charged for X-rays every time is ridiculous.

4 years ago

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Ramesh Shah Anaheim, CA

Average as they don't ensure quality and price paid by patients

5 years ago

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Larry L Bradshaw Chico, CA

Fair, though it seems coverage has decreased though rates have increased.

5 years ago

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Feel safe with Protect America Byron, WY

dissappointed, since they claim to pay 50 % on dentures but only pay 35%.

5 years ago

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Cheryl Parmely Phoenix, AZ

Adequate, expensive, monthly payments, have not used yet due to hi copayments

5 years ago

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Carolyn Tolbert Lynchburg, VA

Paid almost nothing for my dental work. Was very disappointed in them. Won’t use them again

4 years ago

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Daisy Ramos , FL

I do like Delta Dental, but it is very hard to find dentists around who actually take my insurance.

4 years ago

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Grossarth Family Herriman, UT

Limited the ability for me to choose my preferred dentist.

2 years ago

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Frank V. Silvio Attleboro, MA

So far it has been ok they need to explain benefits better.

5 years ago

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Tracey St Louis, MO

Could be better, there should be more allotted in coverage

5 years ago

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Micki Wiersma Monument, CO

It pays 50% or less of services and premiums go up yearly.

5 years ago

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Diane Maraviglia Huntley, IL

Could be more generous in paying out fir us

3 years ago