Dental Insurance Plans for Seniors

As we live longer, healthier lives, keeping your smile strong is more important than ever. Today’s seniors are more active and living well into their 80s, often keeping their natural teeth for life. Maintaining good oral health supports your overall wellness, making dental insurance for seniors essential to your retirement planning.

If you’re approaching retirement and leaving an employer plan, or simply exploring better coverage options, now is the time to learn about senior dental plans and how they can help you save on care.

Why seniors need dental insurance after retirement

Routine dental care isn’t covered under Original Medicare, which leaves many retirees without essential dental benefits. This gap in coverage is significant because oral health plays a critical role in your overall well-being. As you age, your risk of cavities increases*—more than one-third of Delta Dental of Iowa members 55+ had at least one filling last year. Consider the average costs** of routine dental procedures compared to what’s covered by insurance:

Procedure	Average Cost	Cost for Delta Dental of Iowa Members
Filling	$177	$68
Crown	$767	$376
Multiple Crowns	$3,406	$853

Investing in an affordable dental insurance plan for seniors helps you manage these expenses while protecting your health. Oral health issues like gum disease and tooth loss can affect heart health, diabetes management, and more, making coverage a smart and proactive choice for your retirement years. With Delta Dental of Iowa, you can get a quote online, compare plans, and enroll the same day to ensure your smile stays protected.

How dental insurance works for seniors

Understanding how dental insurance for seniors works can help you maximize benefits and avoid unexpected costs.

Step	What It Means	How It Helps You Save
1. Pay Your Monthly Premium	A fixed monthly cost keeps your plan active.	Predictable payments for peace of mind.
2. Use Preventive Care	Exams, cleanings, and x-rays are often covered 100%.	Stops small issues from becoming big expenses.
3. Get Additional Treatment	Fillings, crowns, or dentures are partially covered.	Insurance pays part of your bill, reducing cost.
4. Maximize Annual Benefits	Each plan has a yearly coverage limit.	Choose the right plan based on your dental needs.
5. Stay In-Network	Visit Delta Dental dentists for pre-set lower rates.	Ensures the biggest savings on every visit.

Top dental insurance plans for seniors

Delta Dental of Iowa offers several dental plans for seniors designed to fit your needs and budget:

• Preventive Prime – Affordable coverage for routine dental care, including exams, cleanings, x-rays, and cavity repair. Best for seniors who only need preventive services.
• Preferred Prime (Most Popular) – Balanced plan covering preventive care plus restorative services like bridges and crowns. Ideal for seniors who want comprehensive coverage at a moderate premium.
• Platinum Prime – Expanded coverage with a higher annual benefit maximum and lower out-of-pocket costs. Best for seniors anticipating major dental work or needing extensive services like dentures or implants.

No matter your needs or budget, Delta Dental of Iowa has a senior dental plan to keep your smile healthy in retirement. Explore all plan details, compare benefits side by side, and find the coverage that’s right for you.

The cost of insurance for retirees

Because Medicare doesn’t include dental benefits, it’s important for retirees to compare senior dental plans and choose coverage that fits both their health needs and budget. Most plans offer affordable monthly premiums that vary based on factors like deductibles and annual benefit maximums. When you apply within 30 days of retirement, your coverage with Delta Dental of Iowa can begin the day you retire, ensuring no gap in care. Get a free quote today to see plan options side by side and find the right fit for your smile.

Senior Dental Insurance FAQs

• What's the best dental insurance for seniors?

  The best dental insurance for seniors depends on your specific needs and dental health. Delta Dental of Iowa offers a variety of plans, ranging from basic preventive coverage to more extensive plans that cover fillings, root canals, crowns, and dentures. For seniors, Preventive Prime is a great option if you're mainly looking for coverage for routine checkups, cleanings, and exams. If you anticipate needing more extensive care, such as crowns or implants, consider the Preferred Prime or Platinum Prime plans, which provide broader coverage.

• What does senior dental coverage include?

  Senior dental coverage typically includes:

  • Routine dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays: Regular preventive care to keep your teeth healthy and detect issues early.
  • Fillings and restorations: Coverage for cavities, including lower out-of-pocket costs for fillings.
  • Crowns, bridges, and dentures: More extensive procedures for restoring damaged or missing teeth.
  • Root canals and other restorative care: Coverage for procedures to treat advanced dental problems.
  • Denture repairs: If you wear dentures, repairs are covered under some plans.

  Delta Dental offers flexible plans, including options for seniors with varying needs, whether you're looking for basic care or more extensive dental work.

• How do I choose the right dental plan for seniors?

  To choose the right dental plan for seniors, consider:

  • Your current dental health: If you're in good dental health and just need routine care, a plan like Preventive Prime may be enough. If you have more complex needs, look for plans like Preferred Prime or Platinum Prime, which offer broader coverage for fillings, crowns, and other restorative services.
  • Cost: Compare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Delta Dental offers affordable options that fit various budgets.
  • Provider network: Ensure your current dentist is in the Delta Dental network. With Delta Dental of Iowa, 9 out of 10 Iowa dentists participate in the network, making it easy to stay with your current provider.
  • Coverage limits: Consider how much coverage you need. Plans like Platinum Prime provide higher annual benefit limits and are ideal for seniors who may need more dental work.
• How much does dental insurance cost for seniors?

  The cost of dental insurance for seniors varies based on the plan you choose. For example, Delta Dental’s Preventive Prime plan, which covers basic preventive services, is generally more affordable. More comprehensive plans, like Preferred Prime or Platinum Prime, may have higher premiums but offer extensive coverage for restorative and major dental procedures.

  Delta Dental also offers affordable monthly premiums and guarantees coverage to retirees if you apply within 30 days of retirement. You can get a quote online to compare your options.

• Is dental insurance for seniors affordable?

  Yes, dental insurance for seniors can be very affordable. Delta Dental offers several plans with low monthly premiums, especially for basic coverage like preventive care. For those who need more extensive coverage, such as fillings, crowns, or dentures, Delta Dental’s Preferred Prime and Platinum Prime plans are still budget-friendly compared to out-of-pocket costs for major dental work.

  With Delta Dental, you can choose a plan that fits your health needs and budget, and we offer easy online quotes to help you get started.

• Can I get dental insurance coverage as a retiree?

  Yes, you can get dental insurance coverage as a retiree! Delta Dental of Iowa provides coverage options for retirees, including plans that are available immediately upon retirement if you apply within 30 days. Since Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care, securing dental coverage after retirement is crucial to maintaining good oral health.

  Delta Dental offers flexible plans that can be tailored to your needs, whether you need just basic preventive care or more extensive services like crowns or dentures.

• How do I compare dental insurance plans for seniors?

  To compare dental insurance plans for seniors, consider these key factors:

  • Coverage needs: If you're in good dental health, a basic plan like Preventive Prime may be sufficient. However, if you expect to need more extensive care, such as crowns, fillings, or dentures, plans like Preferred Prime or Platinum Prime are better suited.
  • Cost: Compare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Plans like Preventive Prime are affordable but might only cover basic services, while Platinum Prime offers more coverage for a higher monthly premium.
  • Provider network: Ensure your dentist participates in Delta Dental’s network. With Delta Dental of Iowa, most dentists are included.
  • Annual maximums: Some plans have higher annual benefit limits, which is important if you anticipate needing significant dental work.
     

  You can explore these options and get a personalized quote to find the coverage that best suits your retirement needs.

Sign up today for dental insurance for retirees

Living well in retirement means keeping your smile healthy. Protect your teeth and your budget with Delta Dental’s affordable dental insurance for seniors.

• Find an in-network dentist near you
• Get a free quote, compare plans, and enroll online

Start your retirement with confidence. Your smile and your wallet will thank you.

^{*Your risk of cavities increases with age. (ADA Mouth Healthy)
**Based on Delta Dental of Iowa claims data, 9/1/17–8/31/18. Examples are based on all group and individual members, age 55+ with plans in effect during this time period. Members should not expect exact same results (or payments).}