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1.5

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: February 22nd, 2024

Known for its long-term savings success and investment strategies, Principal also offers dental insurance that employers can provide employees.

Top Ranked Companies

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The Good

  • Customizable Group Dental Insurance Plans
  • Large Network
  • Mobile App
  • Additional Group Insurance and Benefits Available

Customizable Group Dental Insurance Plans

When employers purchase a dental plan through Principal, they can choose to pay for the plan’s premiums themselves, share the costs with employees, or have employees pay the premiums themselves.

Employers can also customize a plan’s deductible, coinsurance, and annual maximum benefit.

Principal offers Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans throughout the United States. These plans offer coverage for both in- and out-of-network providers, which gives members more flexibility when choosing a dentist. In some areas, Principal also offers Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans. These plans only offer in-network coverage. 

Large Network

Principal has a large provider network across the United States. The large network means that it will be easy for members to find a participating dentist. It also makes it easier on employees if you’re switching plans.

Mobile App

Principal also offers a mobile app for members. Through the app, you can find network providers, view benefits, and print ID cards.

Additional Group Insurance and Benefits Available

Principal offers other insurance products and services to help business owners and employers.

The following benefits are availabe to offer employees through Principal:

  • Disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), pension plans, etc.)

Principal also offers services to help with the following:

  • Business succession
  • Key employee retention and retirement
  • Key person protection
  • Business owner strategies
  • Income protection
  • Legacy and estate planning
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The Bad

  • Only Available Through Employers

Only Available Through Employers

Unfortunately, Principal’s dental plans are only available through employers. If you’re an independent shopper, you’ll need to look at other companies. If you’re an employer, however, Principal’s dental plans and other services are worth investigating further.

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The Bottom Line

Principal dental plans allow employers to find good dental coverage that will fit within their employees’ budgets. Principal also offers a large network across the United States, which makes it easy to find an in-network dentist. Plan members can use Principal’s app to find in-network providers, view benefits, and print their plan ID cards.

If you’re an employer, Principal dental plans are worth investigating further. If you’re looking for your own plan, you’ll need to look at another dental company.

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Star Rating

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1.2

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15 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

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4 grade

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3 grade

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2 grade

13%

1 grade

87%

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Maria Gomez San Antonio, TX

That is the worst dental insurance!! If you try it to be insured through your work, go and find an outside plan, they don’t want to cover anything and and you have to pay out of your pocket for any dental work!! Horrible customer service, people are rude and inconsiderate!!!

1 month ago

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Cody Barry Grand Island, NE

I've come to learn that any insurance company from Iowa is horrible. I've had health insurance that went bankrupt, home insurance that didn't want to pay out, and now dental that doesn't cover anymore than $1500 per year with $1000 out of pocket. Then it costs me $700 per year to have the plan. So in reality they are not paying anything and profiting $200 after paying out the $1500. Then when the dental office is in network they will list it as out of network. This company is a bunch of crooks and stay away from any insurance company based out of Iowa. As you can see there isn't even one positive review. Heed the warning and don't waste your money.

4 months ago

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Matt Pavo Phoenix, AZ

This is possibly the worst company I've ever had the displeasure to deal with. They denied a claim and refuse to talk or share information on why it was denied. Then they deny even a basic checkup. I could make more intelligent conversation with pre-school children. Next year I'll just skip the dental insurance and pay for check-ups myself. Every time I get a letter in the mail from these people my rear end tightens up.

5 months ago

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Google User

I have had a nightmare experience with principal Dental. Unfortunately my employer switched from BCBS Dental to this terrible company and I didn’t have a choice. I have wasted hours on the phone multiple calls, emails and back and forth. I do not recommend this company to ANYONE. If I could give 0 stars I would.

7 months ago

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Matt Puettmann Santa Fe, NM

I have been a Principal dental insurance holder for over 1 year through my employer. During that time they have twice attempted to retroactively cancel my insurance for no reason (no changes in employment), causing back-dated bills for thousands of dollars to be sent. Apparently Principal can just arbitrarily decide to retroactively cancel, and demand payment back for things they've already covered, thus blindsiding policyholders with huge bills. Worst insurance company I've ever had to deal with, by far!

9 months ago

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Lori Wagerman Pleasanton, CA

I wish I could give zero stars. Hours have been wasted trying to locate an oral surgeon in my area (very large metro area), and Principal has been no help. Every doctor that is listed on their website (and listed in an email sent to me by Principal) is actually a dentist, not an oral surgeon. The dentists all refer patients to the same oral surgeon, who is not included in the plan. I finally talked to a customer service rep that agreed that their list is wrong, but she couldn't find any oral surgeons listed in the plan. She and I both sent messages to a supervisor, but it's been 2 weeks and I haven't heard back. COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

1 year ago

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User 1 Grand Rapids, MI

The In Network and Out of Network coverage is same in the summary page which was 100% of covered basic costs.Upon receiving a bill from my dentist, I had just over half that was covered, and I still owed about half of the bill... Emailing the company they said it depends on many factors, scales, and set contracts essentially. This might be changed, but just make sure you read the full cost breakdown before you go to a dentist, you may be surprised by your bill.

1 year ago

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Zachary Napier Louisville, KY

Really wish I could give 0 stars. This company has went back on payments twice now. They decide a month later that they don’t want to pay for their half and then I’m stuck with an unexpected dental bill.

6 months ago

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Morgan Romick Findlay, OH

I've had Aetna (decent) and Delta (the best) dental insurance in the past. To say the least, Principal dental insurance is the worst. God forbid you've had any dental extractions, prior to enrolling in their coverage, requiring a partial, crown, bridge or dentures, etc. They won't cover any of them, due to their Missing Tooth Clause, which should be illegal and proves they don't care about their policy holders. Needless to say, they're a worthless dental insurance provider.

8 months ago

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Fair and unfair loyalty program Las Vegas, NV

It's not worth the money paid in annual premiums. The company gives you very little product for the premiums paid. There are no dental implants in the program. There is generally only cleaning, and exams.

4 years ago

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Review Source

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STRATTON TOOTLE Lithia, FL

This company sent a letter stating I have reached my max Dental Insurance plan of $1000 but they only paid out $400 for the full year. Another shady insurance company...

10 months ago

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Douglas Gorsuch Richardson, TX

These guys are no good. Left me with $4,000 bill after getting my wisdom teeth taken out. Didn’t pay a single cent towards it and made it clear they will not be. This is simply robbery.

1 year ago

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Tia Jackson Las Vegas, NV

Lol this insurance is a joke. I have it through my employer and they basically deny everything. I miss Delta Dental and Blue Cross…those are REAL insurance companies.

1 year ago

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Gregory Gause San Diego, CA

horrible customer service, hang ups online....bad web site.

10 months ago

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BILLY SIZEMORE Hobbs, NM

quick to take out cash. Get another insurance company.

1 year ago Edited February 14, 2023