We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
- Health Insurance
- Best Health Insurance Companies
By
Elizabeth Rivelli
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/eliza1-2c6698e1bd4c402db9efdc0e860c1fc8.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (1)")
Full Bio
Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance writer passionate about helping people navigate the complex world of insurance to help them make empowered choices.
Learn about our editorial policies
Updated June 09, 2024
Reviewed by
Samantha Silberstein
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200515171729630_COVER-SamSilberstein-8e793dbafa8845ebb749a0275c34bdef.JPG "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (2)")
Reviewed bySamantha Silberstein
Full Bio
Samantha (Sam) Silberstein, CFP®, CSLP®, EA, is an experienced financial consultant. She has a demonstrated history of working in both institutional and retail environments, from broker-dealers to RIAs. She is a current CFA level 3 candidate and also has her FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Throughout her career, Samantha has used her expertise and various licenses and certifications to provide in-depth advice about household and business-specific financial planning, investing, credit cards, debt, student loans, taxes, retirement, and income strategies.
Learn about our Financial Review Board
Fact checked by
Bobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HeadShot2024-inv-5f28431e12f74d03b1361ad2a767fa33.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (3)")
Fact checked byBobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
Full Bio
Bobby L. Hickman is a longtime business and financial journalist who brings decades of experience in insurance and financial services to his editor role at Investopedia. He has worked with insurance and financial services companies, such as AFLAC, Allstate, Confederation Life, Farm Bureau, SunLife, and others. His editorial clients include the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Advisors magazine.
Learn about our editorial policies
After reviewing some of the best dental insurance providers, we found that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is the best dental insurance company with no waiting periods. Anthem has the best overall cost-to-value score, the highest annual maximum coverage, and the best coverage for major dental services, both in-network and out-of-network. Most dental insurance plans require you to wait a certain amount of time after you've bought the policy before expensive dental work is covered. To find the best dental insurance with no waiting period, we researched 10 insurers in two Texas and California ZIP codes that provide dental insurance with no waiting periods for preventive care (such as exams and cleanings), basic care (like fillings and extractions), and major care (including crowns, implants, and braces). We made our picks based on 11 criteria, including plan costs, coverage percentages, and customer satisfaction. Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 The Bottom Line How to Choose Compare Plans What Is a Waiting Period? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Methodology Investopedia's Rating 4.8 Why We Chose It Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best dental insurance provider overall for no waiting periods. It earned the best overall cost-to-value score in our study, which looks at premiums, deductibles, and annual maximum coverage. Its annual max is the highest among the plans we researched, at $2,500. Anthem also has great coverage for major dental care. In the first year, Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Incentive plan will cover up to 30% of major dental expenses whether you go in-network or out-of-network. That’s more than all other competitors. The plan also covers 60% of basic care after meeting your deductible. On the downside, the plan’s premium is more expensive than premiums for other insurers we reviewed. Anthem only operates in 14 states total and the Incentive plan may not be available in all of them, so it’s not an option for everyone. Pros & Cons Pros Best cost-to-value score Best coverage for major dental work in the first year Highest annual maximum benefit Cons Company only operates in 14 states Overview Anthem is a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield family of insurance companies. Anthem operates under different names in different states and serves California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Anthem provides health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as Medicare plans. However, not all Anthem companies offer no-waiting-period dental plans, so you’ll need to get a quote to ensure it’s provided. Anthem’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index score is about proportional to the size of the company. J.D. Power did not rank Anthem in its 2023 report on dental plan satisfaction. Most of Anthem’s widely available Marketplace and off-Marketplace dental plans have waiting periods, but the Incentive plan is the exception. Dental Plans Details The information below is for a 30-year-old woman living in Los Angeles. Investopedia's Rating 4.1 Why We Chose It Spirit has the best premiums of the companies we considered for this list. Six dental insurance plans from Spirit have no waiting period and are available in almost every state except Washington State. Spirit’s lowest-priced preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, Spirit Preventive Plus PPO, which covers basic and major care, has a $100 lifetime deductible per person. The annual coverage limit is $750 in the first year, which increases to $1,000 in the second year. Preventive coverage includes exams, cleanings, and X-rays. Basic care is covered 50% in the first year, while major care is covered at 20%. That means you’ll pay 80% for those services. Percentages don’t increase over time as they do with other plans. But read your summary of benefits closely. For example, Spirit considers fillings and extractions “major” procedures, and you can only get one of the two procedures done every two years. Pros & Cons Pros Has the lowest premiums of the companies we considered Six plans with no waiting period Available in most states Cons Relatively high level of complaints Not the best for preventive care Major care coverage is low Overview Spirit dental insurance is offered through Ameritas. The company is based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has been selling dental insurance and vision insurance for more than 20 years. Ameritas’s dental network consists of 130,000 providers. Spirit’s plans may not have waiting periods, but carefully review how it categorizes care to manage your expectations for cost coverage. Some plans don’t categorize sealants, fluoride, and X-rays as preventive care, so you’ll pay extra for those services. Four plans consider fillings to be “major” coverage, so you’ll pay more out of pocket than if they were deemed basic coverage. But four of the plans also cover three cleanings per year. Spirit has more complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the NAIC. You can contact a Spirit agent by calling 1-844-833-8440. Dental Plans Details The information below is based on a 30-year-old applicant in Los Angeles and rounded to the nearest dollar. Plan availability and rates may be different in your area. Investopedia's Rating 4.3 Why We Chose It MetLife is an excellent option for dental insurance with no waiting period for basic care. MetLife’s no-waiting-period dental insurance plans cover 65% of basic dental care, like fillings, routine extractions, and root planing, after you’ve reached your deductible. This is the most coverage for the lowest premium among the no-waiting-period plans we surveyed. Plans include three cleanings per year, whereas most other insurers we reviewed only cover two cleanings. The NCD Essential MetLife dental insurance plan has a $2,000 annual maximum benefit—the second-highest we saw for the plans we researched—and the average deductible is $50, which is on par with what other companies offer. But premiums for the plan are the second most expensive. If you need major dental care, it’s important to know that MetLife’s no-waiting-period plans only cover 10% of major coverage in the first year, which includes dentures, bridges, complex oral surgery, and other high-cost procedures. There are other important restrictions, too. For example, you can only get one denture appliance every 10 years. A second no-waiting-period plan, NCD Complete by MetLife, offers a $10,000 annual maximum and a $100 lifetime per person deductible. It costs around $20 more per month. Regarding customer satisfaction, MetLife is one of the better providers we reviewed. MetLife’s average NAIC complaint index over 2020, 2021, and 2022 is 0.89, slightly better than the national index of 1.0. That means it had fewer complaints than expected, given its market share. However, the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dental Plan Satisfaction Study rated the company slightly below average for overall customer satisfaction. It ranks fifth out of nine companies. Pros & Cons Pros Covers 65% of basic services after deductible Fewer complaints than expected for its size Excellent annual maximum benefit Cons Expensive premiums Only pays 10% for major dental procedures Overview MetLife Insurance began selling life insurance policies in 1868 and has been based in New York City since its founding. MetLife offers dental insurance plans through NCD and a dental insurance program called MetLife TakeAlong Dental. Its provider network consists of 146,000 dentists. NCD plans come with a membership to the National Wellness and Fitness Association, adding more discounts to your plan, such as for teledoc services. You can contact MetLife’s dental insurance division by calling 1-800-942-0854. For an NCD by MedLife plan, contact NCD at 1-800-485-3855. Dental Plans Details Plan availability differs by state, but to give you an idea of the no-waiting-period plans MetLife offers, we gathered quotes for a 30-year-old living in Los Angeles. Investopedia's Rating 3.2 Why We Chose It If you’re looking for a company with high customer satisfaction levels, check out Humana. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dental Plan Satisfaction Study, Humana received a score of 809 (out of 1,000), which is above the study average of 782. It ranked second out of nine dental insurance companies in the study. In addition, Humana has the best NAIC complaint index out of the companies we reviewed. Humana’s average NAIC complaint index over the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 is 0.63, which is below the industry index of 1.0. That means Humana received fewer complaints than expected for its size. Pros & Cons Pros Fewest complaints of the companies we researched High rank in J.D. Power survey No waiting period for most plans Cons Low annual maximum benefit for sample plan Poor overall cost score Overview Humana was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The company sells individual health insurance, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and dental insurance plans. There are several dental plans to choose from, and most don’t require a waiting period. Most plans can be used within one week of purchase. Humana’s dental insurance network has 200,000 providers. To learn more about Humana’s dental insurance or to enroll in a dental insurance plan, you can call the company at 1-855-716-2426. Humana’s business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Dental Plans Details The following plan is the only one we found available that has no waiting period and offers preventive, basic, and major care. Price is based on a quote for a 30-year-old individual living in California, and rounded to the nearest dollar. You may find other plans in your area. Anthem BCBS stands out as the best dental insurance provider with no waiting periods. It has the highest annual maximum and the best coverage for major dental care. However, other providers we reviewed scored better in different areas. For instance, Spirit has some of the lowest premiums, and Denali Dental provides the best coverage for cleanings. Below are the average monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and annual maximums for Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Incentive plan in five different states for a 30-year-old female to give you an idea of what it could cost you. Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar. When selecting a dental insurance plan with no waiting period, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some of the criteria to consider when comparing plans: "While no-waiting-period plans offer immediate coverage, it sometimes comes at the cost of lower coverage for basic and major services. Carefully consider your priorities—immediate coverage or maximizing coverage amounts. Ideally, there will be a no-waiting-period plan that offers both."—Shanker Narayan, Investopedia Research Analyst ZIP Code 90011, pricing based on a 30-year-old nonsmoking female applicant A dental insurance waiting period is the time you must wait before your plan will begin covering certain dental services. Many plans have no waiting period for preventive care, including routine exams and cleanings, but require a waiting period for basic and major care. In the table below, you can see different waiting periods for several types of dental care, based on research we conducted for our list of the best dental insurance companies. These figures represent averages for the sample plans we reviewed. "Typical dental insurance plans can take anywhere from a few months to a year to cover basic and major dental services. This could leave you facing the full cost of a filling, crown, implant, or any other work if the procedure is needed before your coverage kicks in. In certain cases, dental plans with no waiting period come with slightly higher premiums, but consider whether the additional monthly cost can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses that might otherwise have to be paid."—Shanker Narayan, Investopedia Research Analyst Pros Immediate coverage Can be cost-effective Cons Increased cost Exclusions can limit coverage Basic coverage might cost more Investopedia collected 595 key data points from 17 dental insurance companies to identify the most important factors for readers choosing a dental insurance company and plan. We used this data to review each company for premiums, waiting periods, and other features to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best dental insurance companies since 2020. The cost of dental insurance with no waiting period ranges from $11 to $87 per month. However, many factors can impact dental insurance premiums, including your age, location, insurance company, whether you smoke, and plan type. Dental insurance with no waiting period doesn’t usually cost more in premiums than dental insurance that requires a waiting period. The difference in premium depends more on the coverage the plan provides. However, the plan may cost more overall if you consider how much you might pay in out-of-pocket costs. It’s common for dental insurance plans to have a waiting period for certain types of care, particularly for basic and major care. Our research shows that the most extended waiting periods are associated with implants, orthodontics, and the most expensive other dental procedures. Most dental plans have waiting periods for basic and major care to prevent people from purchasing a plan, getting coverage for expensive procedures, and then canceling the plan. Basic and major dental care are the most expensive, typically requiring a waiting period or lower benefit payouts in the first year. The benefits payout percentage increases every year you renew your plan and pay your premiums, typically up to year three or four. Depending on the situation, a dental insurance company may waive your waiting period. The waiting period might be waived if: With a no-waiting-period plan, an insurer may allow you to bump up to year 2 coverage levels with proof of a prior, active dental insurance plan. Finding good dental insurance with no waiting period can be challenging because insurers don’t want people to wait to buy insurance until they know they need expensive treatments. If you can find plans with no waiting periods for preventive, basic, and major care, coverage levels may be lower the first year than in later years or than plans that require you to wait, so you’ll pay more out of pocket. We reviewed no-waiting-period plans from the following dental insurance companies: In some states, you may be able to find no waiting period plans from the following insurers: To determine which dental insurance companies to review, we tapped into both market data and public sentiment. We used business and industry databases to get insights into market share, and user-generated data from Google to understand trends and public interest in stand-alone dental plans. This analysis narrowed our focus to 10 key companies offering dental insurance with no waiting periods for preventive, basic, and major care. We collected data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a standard-setting and regulatory support organization that maintains a database of customer complaints. We also gathered data directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. The data collection process took place between Oct. 9, 2023, and Dec. 23, 2023. We then developed a quantitative model that scored each no-waiting-period dental insurance provider based on 11 criteria that fall into five major categories and are crucial in evaluating the company’s offerings and benefits. We weighted the five categories as follows for this article: To learn more about our process for finding the best dental insurance companies, read our full methodology. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy. Related Terms What Is an Annual Maximum Benefit in Insurance? An annual maximum benefit in insurance is the most a policy will pay per year for care. Understanding your limit can prevent surprise bills. more What Is Dental Insurance? Dental insurance helps people pay for dental treatments and procedures. Discover how it works and learn about the various coverage options. more What Is Open Enrollment? Open enrollment is an annual period when you can enroll in, adjust, or cancel certain types of insurance plans, such as health, vision, and dental insurance. more What Is Indemnity Health Insurance? Indemnity health insurance plans are not ACA-compliant. They are not a replacement for major medical insurance, but you can use them to supplement your existing coverage. more What Is a Dental Savings Plan? A dental savings plan is a membership that offers discounts on dental care for an annual fee of around $100 to $200. It can be an alternative or supplement to dental insurance. more Medicare Supplement Insurance: What It Is, How It Works Medicare supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, is private insurance sold to complement original Medicare coverage. more Investopedia is part of the Dotdash Meredithpublishingfamily.Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024
Best Overall : Anthem BCBS
Plan Monthly Premium Waiting Periods Basic Coverage in Year 1 Major Coverage in Year 1 Annual Deductible Essential Choice PPO
Incentive$57.75 None 60% 30% $50 Best Premiums : Spirit
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spirit-3067e744ba1d4f9c98300babb2e878e8.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (5)")
Plan Monthly Premium Waiting Periods Basic Coverage in Year 1 Major Coverage in Year 1 Annual Deductible Spirit Preventive Plus PPO $22 None 50% 20% $100 (lifetime) Spirit Core PPO $38 None 50% 25% $100 (lifetime) Spirit Flex $44 None 50% 15% $100 (lifetime) Spirit Senior Preferred PPO $48 None 65% 25% $100 (lifetime) Spirit Pinnacle PPO $52 None 50% 25% $100 (lifetime) Spirit Flex Plus $61 None 50% 20% $100 (lifetime) Best for Basic Coverage : MetLife
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Metlife-033df93c484044dc89e45755585b3e64.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (6)")
Plan Monthly Premium Waiting Periods Basic Coverage in Year 1 Major
Coverage in Year 1Annual Deductible NCD Essentials by MetLife $61 None 65% 10% $50 NCD Complete by MetLife $82 None 65% 10% $100 (lifetime) Best for Customer Satisfaction : Humana
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Humana-39cda00383d846bdb0519f2f0b7bcdca.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (7)")
Plan Monthly Premium Waiting Periods Basic Coverage in Year 1 Major Coverage in Year 1 Lifetime Deductible Humana Loyalty Plus Plan $47 None 40% after deductible 20% after deductible $150 The Bottom Line
State (ZIP Code) Anthem Essential Choice PPO Incentive New York (10001) $49 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,500 annual maximum benefitOhio (43228) $47 monthly premium
$50 deductible
$2,500 annual maximum benefitGeorgia (30349) $48 monthly premium
$50 deductible
$2,500 annual maximum benefitCalifornia (90011) $58 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,500 annual maximum benefitVirginia (23464) $48 monthly premium
$50 deductible
$2,500 annual maximum benefit Guide to Choosing Dental Insurance With No Waiting Periods
Research Insight
Compare the Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods: Sample Plans
Company Monthly Premium Annual Deductible Basic Coverage Major Coverage Maximum Benefit Anthem Best Overall $58 $50 60% after deductible 30% after deductible $2,500 Spirit Best Premiums $22 $100 50% after deductible 20% after deductible $750 MetLife Best for Basic Coverage $61 $50 65% after deductible 10% after deductible $2,000 Humana Best for Customer Satisfaction $47 $150 40% after deductible 20% after deductible $1,000 What Is a Dental Insurance Waiting Period?
Type of Care Average Waiting Period Preventive None Basic 0-6 months Major 6-18 months Implants 6-12 months Orthodontics 0-12 months Research Insight
Pros & Cons of Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods
Pros Explained
Cons Explained
Why You Should Trust Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dental Insurance With No Waiting Periods Cost More?
Does Most Dental Insurance Have Waiting Periods?
Why Do Dental Plans Have Waiting Periods?
Will an Insurance Company Waive Your Waiting Period?
Why Is Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period Hard to Find?
Companies We Reviewed
How We Review the Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Period
Guide to Dental Insurance
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DentalInsurance-Roundups-BestDentalInsurancePlansWithNoWaitingPeriod2-602c227e48794119b83e3023a63918a5.png "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (8)")
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Anthem-BCBS-logo-50d8ad74f8364f9c8b6200a681b31e5d.jpg "Best Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Periods for June 2024 (4)"){kind=logo}
