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8+ Best Dental Insurance in New Jersey [2024]

Affordable dental care in New Jersey isn’t out of reach. Learn about the best dental insurance in NJ and other options for affordable care.

Last updated on

July 31, 2024

Katharine Hall

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8+ Best Dental Insurance in New Jersey [2024]

If you’re living in New Jersey and working with a limited budget, you may be wondering if dental insurance is worth the expense. But if you’re facing a potential cavity or tooth infection, the idea of facing those costs without insurance may be frightening.

Luckily, there are several options for affordable dental care in New Jersey. We’ll explore the best dental insurance in NJ and other options for affordable care, including dental savings solutions like Flossy.

How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost in New Jersey? 

Premiums for stand-alone New Jersey dental insurance ranged from $9 to $45 per month in May 2024 for those who purchased insurance through New Jersey’s exchange. The average cost of dental insurance in New Jersey is $24 a month, or about $282 a year.

Alternatives to Dental Insurance in NJ

Unfortunately, many Americans are without insurance to help defray the costs of healthcare. Although the number of Americans without health insurance went down to 25.3 million in 2023, that number was much higher when it came to dental plans: 68.5 million adults didn’t have dental insurance in 2023. According to CareQuest Institute, that number was estimated to rise to 91.4 million.

Without insurance, many people put off both routine care and more serious dental problems. Luckily, there are still options for accessing affordable dental care if you don’t have insurance. We’ll discuss some options you can explore with or without dental insurance.

Try Flossy

Flossy offers significant discounts with its network of participating dental providers. With FlossyBot, you can even get price estimates for planned treatments and explore explanations for your symptoms!

Flossy connects patients with top-rated, rigorously vetted dentists and helps them afford the dental care they need. You can even use Flossy to supplement dental insurance and save money on procedures not covered by your plan! Flossy is free to use, without monthly premiums or subscriptions.

Save money with Flossy!

Ask Your Dental Office 

If you already have a dentist, ask if they have any resources to help you make your dental care more affordable. Some dentists offer free or low-cost dental care on certain days of the year, and some practices have dental membership savings plans. 

Many of those membership savings plans charge a fixed amount every year for routine procedures like cleanings and exams. If you’re looking for a free-to-use savings plan, check out Flossy’s network of trusted dentists and discounted rates!

Finance Your Dental Procedures

Dental financing essentially means taking out personal loans to cover the costs of a procedure. These loans may be advertised specifically as dental or medical loans. Your loan servicer will set a monthly payment and interest rate, allowing you to get the care you need without having to immediately pay a large medical bill.

If you’re considering financing for a dental procedure, you’ll need to take the following steps:

  • Determine what monthly payment you can afford
  • Check your credit
  • Compare loan offers
  • Prequalify with your bank or loan servicer
  • Apply

Apply for a Dental Grant 

Low-income adults can apply for government or private dental grants, which enable grantees to get the dental care they need at no cost. 

Such grants are often geared toward specific groups and/or dental procedures, so you’ll need to make sure you fit the eligibility criteria for specific grants before applying.

Seek Dental Care at Dental Schools or Free Dental Clinics

Some dental schools and public dental clinics offer free or low-cost dental care when you’re uninsured. At dental schools, your appointment may take longer than usual, since licensed supervisors check students’ work at each step of the process.

To find dental schools near you, conduct a search with the Commission for Dental Accreditation. Oral Health America has a directory of public dental clinics, while United Way provides a directory of free dental clinics.

Best Dental Insurance in NJ

If you’re looking for dental insurance coverage, here is a list of some of the top dental insurance companies in New Jersey.

1. Delta Dental

Delta Dental of New Jersey is a branch of the Delta Dental insurance company, operating in New Jersey and Connecticut. Their mission is to promote oral health for as many people as possible by providing accessible dental benefit programs.

Pros:

  • High annual maximum payout: Delta Dental offers a $2,000 annual maximum payout.
  • Covered preventative care: Preventative care is covered up to 100%, depending on the plan, and requires no waiting period.
  • No waiting period for transfers: If you transfer from another qualifying dental plan, you don’t have to wait for coverage to kick in.
  • Oral surgery benefits: Delta Dental offers 50% coverage for major care like oral surgery.

Cons: 

  • Longer waiting period: Policy holders must wait 6 months for basic care benefits.
  • Enrollment fee: Unlike many insurers, Delta Dental charges a $10 enrollment fee.

2. Smart Health Dental

Smart Health Dental is an insurance company offering multiple plans, including non-insurance options. They believe that maintaining quality dental care is the best way to save on dental services, so they work to help policyholders achieve good dental health.

Pros:

  • No waiting periods: Policyholders can access dental benefits immediately.
  • Variety of financial support options: Customers can choose between insurance plans, non-insurance plans, and discount cards. 
  • High-coverage plan options: Smart Health Dental offers some plans with up to 100% coverage on preventative procedures.
  • Broad network: Policyholders can access a network of over 200,000 providers.

Cons: 

  • No online sign-up: Customers must call Smart Health Dental to enroll in a plan.
  • Limited customer service hours: Customer service is only available on weekdays. during business hours.
  • Limited access to 100% coverage: The Elevate plan only offers 100% coverage in year two.

3. Horizon BCBS

The Horizon BCBS network offers policyholders access to over 67,000 providers and every New Jersey hospital.

Pros:

  • Customer service: Horizon BCBS ranks highly in customer satisfaction.
  • Policy offerings: Horizon BCBS offers several plan options, and customers report high satisfaction with their plans.
  • Member resources: Policyholders have access to several tools and resources to make finding doctors, making payments, viewing benefits, and more easier.
  • Health Support Programs and Rewards: Horizon BCBS encourages healthy living with support programs like chronic care, cancer programs, and mental health support programs.

Cons: 

  • Higher deductibles: Horizon BCBS is rated lower for customer satisfaction when it comes to deductible rates.
  • Low satisfaction with digital experience: Only 19% of customers rank their satisfaction with their digital experience highly.

4. Guardian Dental

Guardian Dental is an insurance company offering PPO and EPO plans, offering flexibility so policyholders can find plans that fulfill their particular needs. Founded in 1860, Guardian Dental offers a variety of life, disability, and other benefits.

Pros:

  • No waiting periods for preventative care: Policyholders don’t have to wait to access necessary preventative care.
  • Higher annual maximum payout: Guardian Dental offers a $1,500 annual payout for the Diamond plan and the third year of the Achiever plan.
  • Partial coverage for teeth whitening: Teeth whitening is covered 50% after a 6-month wait under the Diamond plan.

Cons: 

  • Low orthodontia coverage: Guardian Dental caps orthodontia coverage to $500 annually and $1,000 lifetime after a 12-month waiting period. Orthodontia is not covered under the Starter plan.
  • Wait times for major services: Implants, dentures, and orthodontics are covered 50% after a 12-month wait.

5. Mutual of OMAHA

Mutual of OMAHA is an insurance company that offers dental, medical, and life insurance policies, including Medicare supplement insurance. They offer Protection and Preferred dental plans to cover the costs of preventative care. 

Pros:

  • Low deductibles: The Dental Protection deductible is $100/year; the Dental Preferred plan is $0 for preventative care and $50 for major care.
  • No waiting period: Preventative and basic care services require no waiting period.
  • Vision Rider: Policyholders can add a vision rider for about $8/month.

Cons: 

  • Low maximum payout: Protection plans are only eligible for up to $1,000 payouts for plans with lower monthly premiums.
  • Plans for individuals only: Mutual of OMAHA’s plans provide coverage for individuals only, rather than families.

6. Humana

Humana offers flexible, stand-alone dental insurance plans (i.e., dental insurance plans that are not connected to health or other insurance plans). Options for coverage start at $18 a month, and Humana offers online enrollment or customer service application support via phone.

Pros:

  • Veteran discounts: Humana offers discounts for veterans and their families.
  • Unlimited preventative care: Policyholders receive unlimited annual coverage for preventative and basic care.
  • Lifetime deductible: Individuals must only pay up to $50 (for individuals) or $150 (for families) in deductible costs over their lifetime.

Cons: 

  • Limited major dental care coverage: Lower-cost plans only cover basic dental care.
  • Enrollment fees: Unlike many other plans, Humana requires a non-refundable enrollment fee for some plans.

7. Cigna

Cigna is an insurance company that offers various healthcare insurance plans, including dental. Customers can choose between low-deductible plans, high annual maximum plans, and bundled plans with vision and hearing coverage.

Pros:

  • Complete preventative care coverage: Cigna covers preventative care at 100%.
  • No waiting periods: Policyholders don’t have to wait for coverage to kick in, giving them immediate access to necessary dental care.
  • Reimbursement for in- our out-of-network dentists: Cigna offers certain levels of reimbursement for out-of-network services.

Cons: 

  • Limited orthodontic services: Coverage for orthodontia is limited to specific plans.
  • Limited coverage for Implants and dentures: Only specific plans provide coverage for implants and dentures.

8. Aetna

Aetna is a healthcare insurance provider that offers medical, dental, and vision plans. Customers can choose between three PPO plans depending on their needs and desired monthly premiums.

Pros:

  • Bundling options: Policyholders can choose plans that bundle dental and vision coverage.
  • Nationwide network: Policyholders have access to a network of over 445,000 dental providers.
  • Plan extras: Plans include access to CVS ExtraCare Plus membership, including a $10 monthly reward, free prescription delivery, and more.
  • Affordable: Plans start at $20/month.

Cons: 

  • Waiting periods: Policyholders must wait 1 to 6 months for certain basic services beyond preventative care and 12 months for major services.
  • No orthodontic coverage: Aetna’s plans do not cover orthodontic services.

What Does Dental Insurance in NJ Cover?

The services that New Jersey dental insurance covers depends on the company and type of plan you choose. Some plans only cover only preventative services, while other plans cover a significant portion of major care costs. Unfortunately, plans that cover major care often require higher monthly premiums. Insurance plans also generally have maximum annual payouts, so if you have to seek expensive medical care that surpasses those limits, you’ll have to pay the rest out-of-pocket.

Whether you’re currently without insurance or looking to supplement your plan’s coverage, Flossy can help! With a network of trusted dentists to choose from, you can access affordable dental care without sacrificing quality. There’s no minimum usage or maximum pay-out, since it’s a discount plan. And you can use Flossy to save money on all procedures, including cosmetic care like teeth whitening, which isn’t usually covered by insurance.

More on Dental Insurance in NJ 

We have answers to your New Jersey dental insurance questions.

What is the best dental plan in NJ?

The best dental plan in New Jersey depends on your particular needs and budget. If you need coverage ASAP for procedures like bridges or dental crowns, you’ll want a plan with no waiting periods. If you need to save money and you don’t have immediate, expensive dental care needs, you may want a plan with a lower monthly premium. And if you need more extensive medical care and can’t wait for insurance to kick in, Flossy has no waiting periods! You can use it to access discounts immediately, so you don’t have to deal with your symptoms any longer than necessary.

It’s important to review your options before deciding on an insurance provider, as there are many factors to consider. Look into the details of your plan options, including major care coverage, local vs. nationwide coverage, annual deductibles, and annual maximum cost.

How do I find a New Jersey dentist near me?

If you have dental insurance, your provider likely has a directory of in-network providers. You can also try looking for the best dentists in your area using your preferred search engine. If you need an in-network provider, you can then call your insurance company to inquire about a specific doctor.

And don’t forget Flossy’s network of vetted dentists! Just put your zip code into their search bar and find top-rated dentists near you. You’ll find a dentist you know you can trust, and you’ll leave your appointment knowing you saved time and money.

Will I need to wait to use my New Jersey dental insurance?

Many dental insurance companies implement a waiting period for major and some basic procedures, like dental fillings for cavities. Although many do not require a waiting period for preventative care, some do. Depending on the type of care, waiting periods may be 6-12 months. Even some dental savings plans require a few business days to take effect.

With Flossy, waiting periods are a thing of the past! You can access discounts for any kind of dental care immediately, helping you avoid the discomfort of living with a dental issue while waiting for benefits to kick in.

Access Affordable Dental Care in New Jersey 

No matter your situation, you can access affordable care in New Jersey - with or without insurance. Even if you can’t access the plans we’ve explored here, you can try dental financing, grants, savings plans, and more.

The Flossy team helps you avoid the confusion around dental insurance and still access affordable dental care without membership fees, allowing you to access dental care without paying Flossy a fee for use. Find doctors, get procedure estimates, and pay for appointments, all from the Flossy app. 

Get affordable care today with Flossy!

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