Best Dental Insurance in Oklahoma: Review and Comparison of Plans

Do you need to find dental insurance in Oklahoma? You’re in luck. We’ve sifted through the best dental insurance plans out there and have put together this resource so that you can more easily select the best dental insurance in Oklahoma for you.

This resource guide includes:

• Different types of dental plans available
• Features to consider
• Best dental insurance providers in Oklahoma

Now you just need to review the information below and make the decision that is right for you and your dental needs.

Dental insurance plans

Preferred provider organization (PPO)

Many dental insurance plans you come across will be PPOs. They are very popular because they offer a lot of flexibility.

While there is a list of network providers you can choose from to receive your dental services, you do have the option to see a dentist outside of the network. Many people like this flexibility, but it does mean that if you see a dentist out of the network, you will end up paying more money as well as

complete more forms for the dental claim.

A big benefit of PPO plans (other than flexibility) is the coverage. Preventative services like dental cleanings, exams, and x-rays are usually covered at 100% of the cost. If you need additional services like implants or orthodontics, you will want to confirm with your provider whether or not the services are covered.

It’s important to note that due to the flexibility and coverage that is provided with a PPO, the premium you pay is usually higher than with alternative plans listed below.

Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) 

DHMO plans are also widely available like PPOs, but there are some distinct differences. They are not quite as flexible as PPOs, which also means they are less expensive. With a DHMO plan, you will need to choose a primary care dentist that is listed in the network.

If you choose to get services from a dentist out of network, you can, but it will be at your own expense. Coverage for out-of-network dentists is not provided. 

Like PPOs, most of the preventative services such as cleanings, exams, and x-rays are covered.

Dental discount plans

Dental discount plans, also known as dental savings plans, operate differently than the other two types of plans mentioned above. These plans are not actually insurance but do provide you with a dental discount card, which means you can get a discount for dental services. You will pay an annual fee to receive the discounts.

With your dental discount plan, you can choose from a network of dentists to receive services from, and then you will pay the dentist directly for your services, rather than filing insurance paperwork. Read more about dental discount plans.

Features to consider

Cost

For most people, the cost of dental insurance in Oklahoma is the number one factor when choosing insurance. When looking at the cost, there are several things that contribute to the overall plan price:

• Premium: a set amount you pay monthly or annually, regardless of how often you receive dental services.
• Co-payment: a set fee or percentage of the total that you will need to pay to the dentist at the time of service.
• Deductible: the amount you are responsible for paying yourself before your insurance begins to pay towards the amount owed for services.
• Maximum limits: the total amount a policy will pay, based on either an annual or lifetime limit. Once it’s reached, you are responsible for anything over that amount.

Coverage

Many plans cover preventative services, so it’s a good idea to make sure the plan you choose covers such routine things. However, if you need more serious services like implants or orthodontics, you may want to choose a plan that will cover these items because they can be very costly. 

Waiting period

Some plans will require that you wait for a period of time before being able to receive certain services. Others have no waiting period. If having accessibility to dental services right away is important to you, then be sure to make this feature a priority when selecting the best dental insurance.

Oklahoma dental insurance providers

Delta Dental Oklahoma

Delta Dental offers individuals three options, including two PPO plans and a dental discount plan.

Delta Dental PPO

The Delta Dental PPO plan allows members to access a large number of dentists throughout the network. In fact, as of the time of this article, Delta Dental boasts access to 64% of all dentists in Oklahoma. 

A big advantage of this plan is that your out-of-pocket costs are lower than with the other Delta Dental plans. And, all preventative services are 100% covered. Basic services are covered at 70% and major services at 40%.  

Delta Dental PPO Point of Service

This PPO plan from Delta Dental offers greater flexibility than the PPO plan mentioned above. Individuals with this plan can visit any dentist they like because they have access to both the PPO network and the Premier network. At the time of this article, the network gives individuals access to 97% of Oklahoma dentists. 

In addition to the increased flexibility, orthodontic benefits are also included for everyone in the plan up to 19 years old. While preventative services are fully covered if you choose a dentist in-network, they are only 70% covered if you go out-of-network. Basic services are covered at 80% in-network and major services at 50% in-network.

Delta Dental Patient Direct

In addition to the above mentioned PPO plans, Delta Dental also offers a discount dental program. While this is not necessarily insurance, it does provide a discount on dental services you receive from in-network dentists. This plan includes almost 800 dentists in the network.

BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma Dental

BlueCare Dental PPO

BlueCross BlueShield’s PPO plan affords access to one of the largest networks in the country. 

A big advantage of this program is also its flexibility because you can choose any dentist you like. However, if you do choose an in-network dentist, it will be cheaper for you. Your preventative services are covered at 100%, while basic services are covered at 50% and major services at 20%.

Humana

Humana offers five different PPO plans and a dental discount plan.

Preventative Value

This PPO plan (like the other Humana PPO plans) allows you to use any dentist you like, but you will save money if you stay in-network. It features a $150/family deductible. This plan also has an unlimited annual benefit maximum. Preventative services like cleaning and x-rays are 100% covered as long as you use a dentist in-network.

Loyalty Plus

Another PPO plan, this one has a $450/family deductible and $1,000 first year annual benefit maximum. While cleanings are 100% covered, x-rays for your first year are covered at 40% and the coverage amount goes up gradually the following years.

Complete Dental

The Complete Dental PPO has no annual deductible as long as you stay in the network for preventative services, all of which are 100% covered. There is a $1,250 annual benefit maximum for the first year. Although there is no waiting period for preventative services, there is a 6-month waiting period for basic services and 12-month waiting period for major services.

Dental Savings Plus

The one dental discount plan offered by Humana provides average discounts of 20–40% off of services.

Bright Plus for Veterans

A dental plan geared towards veterans, this PPO has a $150/family one-time deductible and $1,250 per year annual benefit maximum. As long as you stay in-network, all preventative services are fully covered. There is a 90-day waiting period for basic services.

Bright Plus

Similar to the plan for veterans, there is a $150/family deductible and $1,250 per year annual benefit maximum. Use a dentist that’s in the network and all preventative services will be covered. There is a 90-day waiting period for basic services.

Conclusion

While you have many choices for dental insurance in Oklahoma, you should read through the various benefits and costs of each one to find the best choice for you. Depending on your budget for dental insurance as well as your overall dental health, you may find one better suited for you than another. Learn more about dental payment plans.

It’s important that you be sure to utilize those preventative services, especially if they are 100% covered by your insurance plan. By keeping up with cleanings and x-rays, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

If you want to read about the best insurance option in any other state, please select from the list below.

FAQs

Is a PPO or dental discount plan better?

It really depends on your needs and budget is for dental services. If you need services immediately, but can’t afford a premium each month, then a dental discount plan is probably the way to go. While it’s not technically insurance, it will provide you with a discounted rate for dental services.

Which is the best dental insurance plan in Oklahoma?

Ultimately, the best dental insurance in Oklahoma will be different for everyone. There are a number of options, ranging from specific plans for veterans to discount plans that are more affordable. After reviewing this information, we hope you are able to make the best choice for you.

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