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GROUP DENTAL INSURANCE

After medical, dental is the second largest group benefit and has become an expected benefit by most employees.  In the benefits world it known as a core benefit (core benefits include medical, dental, vision and retirement).

A typical plan provides the following benefits:

1- Preventive Care:  100%  (two exams per year, cleanings, x-rays, and perhaps sealants and fluoride treatments).

2- Basic: Paid at 80% (fillings & Extractions)

3- Major: Paid at 50% (crowns, implants, bridges, serious dental work).

What to Know About Dental Insurance

Most plans have a $50 deductible that is waived for preventive care.

Calendar year maximums range from $1000 to $2500 with $1000 being very common for smaller companies.  That resets every January 1st.

Orthodontia is usually available as an option for groups with ten or more employees but is typically limited to children under age 19

Provider network may vary from carrier to carrier and is important to pay attention to.

If the dental carrier is the same as the medical carrier then identical enrollment is usually required.  If separate carriers, then "dissimilar" enrollment is allowed.  This is helpful when an employee wants to cover his spouse for dental but not medical.

Often carriers that specialize in stand alone dental and disability are much more competitive than the carrier who offers both medical and dental insurance.