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Dental plans with no waiting periods allow patients to get coverage for preventive, basic, and major services—and sometimes even orthodontics—without having to wait a single day. These plans are ideal for patients who are putting off dental care due to cost or who need to undertake a major dental procedure.
The best dental plans with no waiting period have low monthly premiums, high annual coverage limits, and a comprehensive network of dentists to choose from. We scoured the market for these policies and found seven with reasonable premiums and great benefits that you can start taking advantage of from the moment coverage starts.
The 7 Best Dental Insurance Plans With No Waiting Period of 2022
- Best Overall: Humana
- Best Preventive Care: Denali Dental
- Best Basic Coverage: UnitedHealthcare
- Best Major Coverage: Spirit Dental
- Best for Orthodontics: Ameritas
- Best for Veterans: MetLife
- Best Affordable Coverage: Delta Dental
Best Overall: Humana
Humana
- Policy Types: 3
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $1,500
- States Available: 49
Why We Chose It
Humana offers the most diverse dental insurance options with no waiting period, with three different plan types to choose from. Factor that in with affordable premiums, low deductibles, and a huge network of providers, and this insurer easily comes out on top as best overall option in our review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
No waiting period for all covered services on some plans
Choose from three different plan types
270,000 in-network dentists
Cons
Poor coverage for orthodontics
Higher coinsurance than some competitors
Overview
Humana offers no waiting periods with four of its seven dental plans, and the options and benefits available are some of the best in the industry. Those who want coverage to begin immediately can choose from a PPO plan, HMO, or a dental discount plan with some of the lowest premiums we were able to find from any provider.
Humana’s Preventive Value Individual and Dental Loyalty Plus plans provide PPO coverage, and we were quoted reasonable rates. Preventive Value Individual is designed for those who need only preventive and basic services, while Dental Loyalty Plus adds major service coverage. Both plans pay for 100% of preventive services. These preventive services include the standard two cleanings with exams per year.
Coinsurance rates for basic and major services vary but decrease every year you stay with the plan if you choose Dental Loyalty Plus. For example, you’ll pay for 80% of major services like root canals in the first year, but just 50% by year three. Neither of these PPO plans covers orthodontics.
Humana's Dental Value plan is an HMO that has no deductible or annual maximum. Finally, Dental Savings Plus is an affordable dental discount plan that costs just $6.99 per month. It’s important to note that this is different from a traditional dental insurance plan in that no routine services like checkups and cleanings are included. Instead, the plan offers discounts of 20% to 40% when you visit one of the 160,000 participating dental care locations. This includes a 20% discount on orthodontics, which actually is a better deal than the coinsurance offered by some more expensive dental insurance plans.
Best Preventive Care: Denali Dental
Denali Dental
- Policy Types: 1
- Coverage Limit: $750 to $6,000
- States Available: 34
Why We Chose It
Denali Dental is best for preventive care of all the insurers in our review because the company covers more preventive care services than any other provider, which means you can get your teeth cleaned up to four times per calendar year from one policy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Four cleanings and two exams included annually
Low lifetime deductible
Up to $6,000 annual maximum
Cons
High premiums
Coinsurance rates high initially
Orthodontics not covered on lower-cost Ridge plans
Overview
If you like to stay on top of preventive care for your teeth, Denali Dental offers no-wait plans that include four cleanings per year, more than any other provider. The two plans—named Ridge and Summit—are priced by geographic area and can be more or less expensive depending on where you live. You can get a quote on Denali Dental's website.
Note
While monthly premiums may be high, Denali Dental’s loyalty incentives might make the cost worth it for anyone who intends to stay with the same provider for several years.
Each plan honors a lifetime deductible of $100 to $200, unlike other insurers that reset their deductibles every year. Denali Dental also lowers coinsurance payments and increases annual maximums for every year that you stay with the company, with benefits reaching their full potential in the fourth year of coverage. For example, annual maximums start at $750 to $1,200 in year one but go as high as $2,500 to $6,000 in year four. And while you’ll have to pay 70% to 90% coinsurance for basic and major services in the first year, this drops to 40% by the fourth year.
The Ridge and Summit plans cover 100% of preventive services, so your four annual cleanings will be completely free of charge.
Best Basic Coverage: UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare
- Policy Types: 1
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $3,000
- States Available: 47
Why We Chose It
UnitedHealthcare is our review's best for basic coverage with several affordable choices that cover all of your basic dental needs, and most of UnitedHealthcare’s dental insurance policies impose no waiting period for these basic services, accompanied by low coinsurance rates that decrease every year you stay with the provider.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Affordable monthly premiums
Low coinsurance fees for basic services
No wait for preventive coverage and often basic too
Cons
Six-month waiting period for major services on some plans
Only one plan to cover orthodontics
Poor coverage for major services
Overview
Even with good oral hygiene and routine preventive care, most people need basic dental services such as fillings at some point. If you’re looking for insurance to cover these treatments and you don’t want to wait six months to a year for the policy to take effect, we recommend UnitedHealthcare. Seven of the provider’s 10 dental plans have no waiting period for either preventive and basic services.
UnitedHealthcare offers a wide array of dental policies. Many cover major services, but usually with a six-month wait. However, just one plan covers orthodontics, but coverage won’t begin until 12 months after the policy start date.
Coinsurance rates for preventive and basic services are competitive. Most policies cover 100% of preventive services on day one, and out-of-pocket costs go down each year for all other procedures. For many plans, you’ll pay 50% of basic service costs in the first year, then 35% the next year, and just 20% by the third year.
Best Major Coverage : Spirit Dental
Spirit Dental
- Policy Types: 2
- Coverage Limit: $750 to $5,000
- States Available: 50
Why We Chose It
Spirit Dental is our best for major coverage, as it offers eight policies with no waiting period and competitive coinsurance rates for major services. Diverse coverage options allow you to find the right balance between monthly premiums, annual maximums, and out-of-network flexibility.
Pros and Cons
Pros
No waiting periods for any covered procedures
One-time deductible of $100
Annual limits up to $5,000
Cons
High out-of-pocket costs for orthodontics
-
Expensive monthly premiums
Less favorable terms in the first year
Overview
No one wants to think about undergoing major dental work like crowns, implants, and procedures that require anesthesia. But when these expensive treatments come up, having an insurance policy that covers them can provide some financial peace of mind.
Note
Spirit Dental is one of the few dental insurance companies that doesn’t impose a waiting period for major services on any of its policies.
You can get a quote quickly on Spirit's website to see what your premiums would be. Each plan has a single lifetime deductible of just $100 per person, and plans are distinguished by annual maximums, which range from $750 to $5,000. You can choose between in-network and out-of-network coverage, although the latter will result in higher monthly premiums.
One downside is that, even though there’s no wait for major services, the policy will cover only 10% to 25% of the cost of these procedures for the first year, which eventually increases to 50% to 65% in the third year of coverage. However, this is in line with or better than the coinsurance rates offered by competitors.
Best for Orthodontics: Ameritas
Ameritas
- Policy Types: 2
- Coverage Limit: $750 to $2,500
- States Available: 50
Why We Chose It
Ameritas offers the best terms for orthodontics with no waiting periods and coinsurance rates starting at 85% but dropping to 50% after one year, making this company the best for orthodontia in this review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
No waiting for any services, including orthodontics on many plans
All plans include orthodontic coverage
High coverage rates after one year
Cons
Lower cost plans limited to in-network providers
Overview
Finding a dental insurance plan that covers orthodontics can be a challenge, and those that do typically require waiting periods that can span up to two years. Ameritas offers no waiting periods on orthodontics, and although out-of-pocket costs are 85% in the first year, they drop to just 50% after this.
For other types of care, Ameritas dental plans follow the same coinsurance rate schedule. Preventive care is covered entirely with a limit of two exams and cleanings per year. Basic services carry a 35% coinsurance rate in the first year and a 20% rate for every subsequent year, while major services are billed with an 80% coinsurance rate in the first year and a 50% rate after that.
Ameritas policies come with a $50 annual deductible and an annual maximum of $750 or $2,500 depending on the plan. Half are limited to in-network providers, while the other half allows you to choose any dentist—although it’s worth noting that Ameritas operates one of the largest dental provider networks in the U.S.
Best for Veterans: MetLife
MetLife
- Policy Types: 2
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $3,500
- States Available: 50
Why We Chose It
If you’re receiving VA health benefits, MetLife’s VADIP dental insurance plans offer no waiting periods (except for orthodontia) alongside other perks for veterans and is the best we found here for veterans.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Affordable coverage for veterans and their dependents
500,000 provider network access locations
Annual maximums as high as $3,500
Cons
Must be enrolled in the VA health care program for the veterans dental plan
Only two policy options available
24-month waiting period for orthodontics
Overview
Insurance provider MetLife enforces waiting periods for most of its policies, but these are waived for retired service members through the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program (VADIP). Open to any veteran enrolled in the VA health care program, these dental policies are available at two coverage levels: Basic and High. For the standard plan, a single veteran will be charged between $28.89 and $33.80 a month. For the high plan, a single veteran will be charged between $61.14 and $71.53 a month.
The standard plan has a $50 deductible no matter what. For the high option the deductible applies only out of network. Annual maximums range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the plan and if you're in network or not. In network, the plans cover 100% of preventive care, 50% to 70% of basic services, and 30% to 50% of major services. Orthodontics are only covered under the High coverage option at a rate of 50%, although there is a fairly long waiting period of 24 months. However, there’s no wait for any other services.
MetLife is a global insurance provider offering insurance in many lines and has been doing business since 1868. The company holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, indicating solid financial strength. MetLife’s dental network for veterans includes over 500,000 participating locations, one of the largest in the country.
Best Affordable Coverage: Delta Dental
Delta Dental
- Policy Types: 2
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $1,500
- States Available: 50
Why We Chose It
DeltaCare USA is an affordable plan making its provider Delta Dental our choice for the best affordable coverage. Copays are just $20 for up to two cleanings per year, and there’s no charge for exams and X-rays.
Pros and Cons
Pros
HMO option with no deductibles or annual maximums
Copays by procedure (HMO plan)
Relatively low premiums
Cons
Only one plan with no waiting period on everything
Premiums must be paid for the year upfront (HMO plan)
Doesn’t cover some procedures like implants
Overview
Delta Dental is one of the largest dental providers in the country, serving more than 80 million people and maintaining a network of more than 364,000 dentists. By focusing exclusively on dental insurance, Delta Dental can offer lower prices than many competitors. A variety of plans is available for both individuals and companies.
Delta Dental offers only one policy with no waiting periods, but with a low monthly premium, it is incredibly affordable. This HMO plan, named DeltaCare USA, works with a copay structure instead of the coinsurance rates associated with PPO plans. Copays are listed by procedure and are fairly reasonable; you’ll pay only $20 out of pocket for cleanings, with exams and X-rays free of charge, while fillings cost $25 to $120, and root canals are $240 to $400. There are no deductibles or annual maximums.
This Delta Dental plan doesn’t cover some services like implants, though teeth whitening is included with a copay of $125. The plan also will cover orthodontics for both adults and children, which is a rare find since many policies limit orthodontic work to individuals younger than 19. The out-of-pocket cost for adults may be slightly higher. Just note that you’ll have to pay for the entire year’s premiums upfront with an annual payment, plus a $10 enrollment fee.
Final Verdict
There are plenty of options when it comes to dental insurance plans with no waiting period. Whether you need emergency dental insurance on short notice, or you just want to be able to take advantage of your insurance coverage right away, these plans all make it easy to access benefits from the moment you sign up. Humana is our top pick for a dental plan with no waiting period.
Humana has an expansive network, low monthly premiums, and a variety of plan options to choose from. Plus, Humana is available to patients in 48 states. Humana is a great option both for major dental procedures and routine preventative care.
Compare the Best Dental Insurance Plans With No Waiting Period
| Humana Best Overall | $1,000 to $1,500 | 270,000 | 3 | $50 to $150 lifetime | 49 |
| Denali Dental Best Preventative Care | $750 to $6,000 | 300,000 | 1 | $100 to $200 lifetime | 34 |
| UnitedHealthcare Best Basic Coverage | $1,000 to $3,000 | Unknown | 1 | $50 annual | 47 |
| Spirit Dental Best Major Coverage | $750 to $5,000 | 111,500 | 2 | $100 lifetime | 50 |
| Ameritas Best for Orthodontics | $750 to $2,500 | 111,500 | 2 | $50 annual | 50 |
| MetLife Best for Veterans | $1,000 to $3,500 | 490,000 | 5 | $0 to $50 | 50 |
| Delta Dental Best for Affordable Coverage | None for HMO plan | 152,000 | 2 | None for HMO plan | 50 |
What Is Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period?
Many dental insurance policies impose a waiting period of months or even years before certain services are covered, meaning you might have to choose between putting off essential procedures or paying the full cost out of pocket. Dental insurance with no waiting period begins coverage on day one so you don’t have to wait.
Do All Dental Insurance Plans Have a Waiting Period?
Not all dental insurance plans have a waiting period, and many place waiting periods on some types of procedures but not others. For example, it’s much more common to see a waiting period for major services than it is for preventive care.
Why Do Dental Plans Have Waiting Periods?
Waiting periods on dental plans are designed to prevent people from putting off paying for coverage until they have a costly problem that needs to be fixed. This helps dental insurance companies stay profitable by collecting premiums before they have to start paying for expensive procedures.
What Are the Expected Costs of Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period?
The quotes we received for dental insurance plans with no waiting periods were anywhere from $7 to around $100 per month depending on the coverage, limits, and deductibles. If you choose a plan with no deductible, keep in mind that you may face higher monthly premiums or have to pay more in coinsurance for the first year or two.
Methodology
To choose the best dental insurance plans with no waiting periods, we primarily looked at several factors related to cost, such as monthly premiums, copays or coinsurance rates, annual limits, and deductibles. We also evaluated which types of services were covered under each policy and whether any limits were imposed on certain procedures, such as annual cleanings. Finally, we looked at the size of the insurance network to see how many dentists there are to choose from with each provider.