Delta Dental vs Guardian

Kaitlyn Short
Kaitlyn Short | Senior Editor

Both Guardian and Delta Dental are trusted insurance providers. Both have a good selection of dental plans. Guardian stands out because it is upfront about coverage for implants on several of its plans. Delta Dental stands out for offering fee-for-service and discount dental plans in addition to typical plans.

Both companies also offer group dental plans. While Guardian offers more general online information on its plans than Delta Dental, Delta Dental still gets our recommendation. Delta Dental has received more reviews on Best Company than Guardian and a higher proportion of positive ones.

Delta Dental logo
#1 Delta Dental
5.7 Overall Score
4.0
star star star star star_border
(255)
Guardian logo
#8 Guardian
3.5 Overall Score
1.0
star star_border star_border star_border star_border
(175)

Overview

Delta Dental

Plans Available

N/A

Customer Service Options

N/A

Time in Business

Undisclosed

Guardian

N/A

N/A

Undisclosed

Ratings

Delta Dental

Overall Score
5.7 of 10
Review Score
4.0
star star star star star_border
Value for Money
3.7
star star star star_half star_border
Quality of Product or Service
3.9
star star star star star_border
Company Trustworthiness
3.9
star star star star star_border
Likely to Recommend
7.2 of 10

Guardian

3.5 of 10
1.0
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1.5
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1.4
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1.4
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1.0 of 10

Reviews

Delta Dental

Number of Reviews
255
Review Breakdown
4.0
star star star star star_border
1 star
10%
2 star
5%
3 star
11%
4 star
26%
5 star
47%

Guardian

175
1.0
star star_border star_border star_border star_border
1 star
85%
2 star
6%
3 star
2%
4 star
2%
5 star
6%

Reviews for Delta Dental

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Brian

January 22nd, 2025

DETAILS

Delta is a company benefit but If I didn't have it we would have been responsible for several thousand $$ . Our new Dentist is not in the Delta Network but they still file everything for us & Delta has refunded us almost immediately. You don't even need an I.D. card just name & company affiliation and open wide.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Leo Russ

February 23rd, 2023

DETAILS

Edited March 19th, 2024

Refused coverage for ridiculous reason - claimed that the implant was not covered because "the tooth never existed since we don't have a record of extraction". If I were born without that tooth, there would be no room install the implant but any sort of reasoning that doesn't contribute to their bottom line simply does not exist.

Reviews for Guardian

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star_border star_border

b. p.

October 25th, 2022

DETAILS

Edited October 23rd, 2023

I have had Guardian Dental insurance for more than 2 years and have never had an issue with routine services. I also had a crown, which I think was paid according to their coverage limitations. I wish they offered more services at an additional premium. $1,000 max cap per year isn't going to get you far with the cost of modern dental.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Jonah Martin

January 31st, 2025

DETAILS

These are the trashiest people I've ever dealt with in my entire life. I kid you not! I got hung up on in my face three times today by three different agents. One foreigner. And two were clear speaking American females. When I advised I wanted to cancel they sarcastically remarked that there was a $119.00 cancellation fee. Please stay away from these vermin. They just suck!!

The Final Word

If you're looking for implant coverage, many of Guardian's plans cover implants. Guardian offers plans with in- and out-of-network coverage and a managed care plan with only in-network coverage. 

Delta Dental also offers plans with only in-network and both in- and out-of-network coverage. It stands out from Guardian by offering a fee-for-service plan and a dental discount plan. It also offers retiree plans. If you're interested in a non-typical dental plan or a retiree plan, you'll want to choose Delta Dental.

It's difficult to say whether Delta Dental or Guardian have better group dental plans because Delta Dental offers very little general information about its offerings online. Instead, you'll need to look at its state-specific site or contact the insurer directly.

In contrast, it's easier to get a sense of Guardian's options online. It offers group Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans with in- and out-of-network coverage. It also offers a managed care or Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plan in some states. DHMO plans only cover in-network care and can require referrals from your primary care dentist for specialized treatment.

When it comes to individual and family plans, both companies are worth investigating further. It's harder to tell with group dental plans. However, Delta Dental has earned Bests Company's recommendation because it has a higher proportion of positive customer reviews than Guardian.

Top Choice

Delta Dental Logo
Delta Dental

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