ServicesDental Insurance
Dental Insurance in Tampa
We line up dental plans from several carriers next to each other. You see what each one pays for cleanings, fillings and crowns, how long you wait, and whether your dentist is in network. Then you pick. No fee for the consultation.
What dental insurance covers, and when it makes sense
Most health plans leave adult dental out. A stand-alone dental plan fills that gap. It pays for checkups and cleanings, and part of the cost of fillings, root canals, crowns and sometimes dentures or braces.
Dental plans work differently from health plans. They usually sort care into three tiers: preventive, basic and major. Preventive is covered best. Major work is covered least and often has a waiting period. Every plan also has an annual maximum, the most it will pay in a year. Once you hit it, the rest is on you.
We are an independent insurance agency, so we can show you plans from more than one company. We screenshot each plan's benefit summary and its network listing, mark the lines that matter for you, and send them over. You see exactly what we found before you sign anything.
What we do for you
- 01
A check on your dentist
Tell us who you see. We look them up in each carrier's network and send you a screenshot of the listing. If they are out of network, we show you what that does to your cost.
- 02
Plans compared tier by tier
We put preventive, basic and major coverage for each plan in one view. You also see the deductible, the annual maximum and the monthly premium side by side.
- 03
Waiting periods spelled out
If you already know you need a crown or a bridge, the waiting period matters more than the premium. We flag which plans make you wait and for how long.
- 04
Fine print you would miss
Some plans exclude a tooth that was missing before you joined. Some limit cleanings to two a year or cover braces for kids only. We point these out in plain words.
- 05
Enrollment handled with you
Once you choose, we walk through the application together by phone, video or at our office. You get a copy of what was submitted.
Questions about Dental Insurance?
Call(813) 437-9168Signs it is time to look at dental coverage
Your health plan skips adult dental
Many medical plans include dental for children but not for adults. If your card says nothing about dental, you are likely paying full price at the dentist.
You have work coming up
Your dentist mentioned a crown, a deep cleaning or an implant. Getting a plan in place now starts the waiting period clock sooner.
Checkups keep getting put off
Paying the full bill for a visit makes it easy to wait another month, then another. Most plans pay well for preventive visits, so small problems get found while they are still cheap to fix.
Your kids need braces
Orthodontic coverage is limited and not in every plan. We find the ones that include it and show you the lifetime limit.
You lost coverage through work
Leaving a job usually ends your dental plan the same day as your health plan. Many stand-alone dental plans can be started at any time of year.
How it works, start to finish
- 1
A short phone call
We ask who is being covered, who your dentist is, and what work you expect in the next year or two. That is usually all we need to start.
- 2
We pull the plans
We gather dental plans from multiple carriers that fit your area and your needs. We drop the ones that do not include your dentist or the coverage you asked about.
- 3
You get the screenshots
We send the benefit summaries and network listings with the key lines marked. Then we go over them with you by phone or video, plan by plan.
- 4
You choose and we enroll
Pick the plan you want, or none at all. If you go ahead, we complete enrollment with you and confirm the start date and any waiting periods in writing.
What moves the price of a dental plan
There is no single price for dental insurance. The premium depends on how many people are covered and how much the plan pays out. A cheap plan with a low annual maximum can cost more in the end if you need major work. Our help is free to you, since the carrier you enroll with pays our commission and your premium stays the same.
- Number of people covered
- One adult costs less than a couple or a family. Adding children may also add orthodontic options.
- PPO or HMO-style plan
- PPO dental plans let you see more dentists but usually cost more. HMO-style plans cost less but tie you to a set list of offices.
- Annual maximum and deductible
- A higher annual maximum and a lower deductible push the premium up. They also mean the plan pays more when you need a crown or a root canal.
- Waiting periods
- Plans with no waiting period on major work tend to cost more each month. If you need work soon, that trade can still be worth it.
Common dental insurance questions
Can I sign up for dental coverage outside open enrollment?
Often, yes. Many stand-alone dental plans bought directly from a carrier can begin any month. Dental plans bought through the ACA Marketplace generally follow the same enrollment dates as health plans. We let you know which kind each option is.
Will a new plan cover a crown I already need?
Maybe, but probably not right away. Many plans have a waiting period before they pay for major work. Some have no wait, usually for a higher premium. We show you both types so you can weigh the cost.
Is a dental discount plan the same as insurance?
No. A discount plan cuts your prices at participating dentists, but it does not pay claims and has no annual maximum. It can be a good fit for some people, and we will explain the difference if it comes up.
Do I have to switch dentists?
We work to keep that from happening. Early on, we look up your dentist in every network. If no good plan includes them, we show you what it would cost to see them out of network.
Do you charge for your help?
No. The consultation costs nothing. The carrier you pick pays us, and your premium matches what you would pay going to them directly.
See your dental options before you sign up
One call gets you plans from several carriers, your dentist checked, and screenshots of what each plan really covers. Clients across Tampa, Carrollwood and Temple Terrace work with us by phone, video or at our office.