Senior dental plans with no waiting period

Why Is Dental Insurance Important for Older Adults?

Taking care of our oral health becomes more important as we age. Older adults have specific needs, such as dealing with gum disease, root decay, broken or lost teeth, and even arthritic conditions that can lead to dental problems. People near retirement age, especially, need to begin looking for a plan to avoid costly coverage gaps, since Medicare doesn’t offer dental coverage.

Most dental insurance companies offer an array of plans, ranging from basic preventive-only coverage and discount savings plans to comprehensive traditional packages and “gold-level” plans. Except for dental discount plans, most programs have at least a six-month waiting period for coverage to kick in, especially for major dental work. That makes finding a new policy before losing any current coverage essential for older adults.

How Much Is Senior Dental Insurance?

Stand-alone dental insurance plans can range anywhere from $30 per month to over $100 monthly for individual plans, and family programs average triple those estimates depending on coverage levels. Deductibles typically average between $50 and $150 per year, but some plans offer a one-time deductible for premium policies. The most affordable option for people seeking temporary or low-cost care is to invest between $75 and $150 in a dental insurance discount program that offers enrollees substantial discounts on all services within days of signing up. Costs vary for different types of coverage by state, age, the number of enrollees, and your selected plan.

Senior Dental Plans and Dentures

Dentures are often covered under dental insurance plans and dental savings or discount programs. Under most traditional dental insurance programs, however, members will have to wait a year or more to qualify for denture-related services. The good news is that most dental discount plans offer some level of denture coverage within days of enrollment for a small annual enrollment fee. It’s important to check each plan carefully to see if there is a pre-existing condition clause that prohibits dentures and repairs unless the teeth are lost or broken during a period of coverage under the policy.

Even those with perfect oral care can experience unexpected toothaches and pains. The term “full coverage dental insurance” refers to the plan’s ability to help cover a variety of different dental treatments and procedures.

Full coverage dental insurance can help protect your wallet from unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, supplemental dental insurance can work with your primary plan to help offset out-of-pocket expenses. However, dental insurance works differently than other insurance types – so it’s crucial to understand how it works.

The dental insurance waiting period is one of the most important terms to understand when searching for a plan. The length of the waiting period directly impacts how much money you will have to spend on treatments before benefits kick in.1

Dental insurance waiting periods range from year-long durations to no time at all.2 Finding little to no-wait dental insurance can help minimize the fees you may have to pay out of pocket.

It’s important to note that if you choose Aflac’s dental insurance, there may not be a waiting period for routine or preventative care. However, you may have to wait a few months for more invasive treatments and procedures. We recommend you speak to an insurance agent to clarify the terms in each plan.

Need better dental coverage?

We have options for you.

Why Do Some Dental Insurance Plans Have Waiting Periods?

Dental insurance waiting periods are not necessarily a bad thing. They can help forecast costs for you and the insurance company wisely. Sometimes patients undergo expensive procedures and halt coverage soon after.3 This may negatively impact the insurance company’s ability to be successful and the coverage they are able to provide.

You may face substantial costs if you visit the dentist before your waiting period is over. Searching for dental insurance without a waiting period or with a short waiting period can help prevent this situation from occurring.

It’s also important to note that some procedures within your dental insurance plan will have no waiting period, while other treatments do.4 For example, it may be difficult to find dental insurance with no waiting period for dentures. On the other hand, preventative care like x-rays, topical fluoride and periodontal evaluations may not face any waiting period.

Find the Best Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period

There are a few factors to consider when searching for a dental insurance with no waiting period. We recommend you decide whether there are certain treatments that you’d be willing to wait for compared to treatments you'll need regularly.

For instance, it may be challenging to find dental insurance for braces with no waiting period, but you may be able receive that treatment a couple of months down the road once benefits are available and the wait is over. While full coverage dental insurance with no waiting period is less common, you can still get some treatments without any wait and get basic treatments in 3-6 months, depending on your plan.5

In addition to understanding the waiting periods written in your plan, it may be helpful to research the annual maximum your insurance company is willing to pay for services and what the premium payments will look like. At Aflac, you can expect quality benefits at competitive rates. In fact, the longer you own an Aflac dental policy, the less you pay for out-of-pocket costs every year.

Aflac Dental Insurance Plans with Little to No Waiting Periods

At Aflac, we’ll work with you so you can get the treatments you need on a timeline that works. Our network and employer-provided dental insurance have no waiting period for routine services and fair waits for more involved procedures.

In addition to manageable waiting periods, our dental coverage allows you the freedom to choose which dentist you work with at an affordable rate. Ask about the ability to add hearing and vision coverage to your plan to enhance your care.

Still have questions?

Explore your dental insurance options.

What company has the best dental insurance for seniors?

How can I get around my dental waiting period?

Which Medicare Advantage plan has the best 2022 Dental?

What dental insurance covers implants the best?