Dental Insurance in California: Costs and Coverage
California Dental Network sells the cheapest dental plans in CA, with an average rate of $9 per month. Blue Shield is the most popular option for dental insurance.
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If you have a low income, you can get dental insurance from Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. You can also buy a plan directly from a company or consider a dental savings plan, which isn't the same as dental insurance but helps you get cheaper dental care.
Covered California dental insurance
If you get a health insurance plan from Covered California, you can also buy dental insurance.
On average, a dental plan from Covered California costs $24 per month.
California Dental Network sells the cheapest plans, at $9 per month. However, California Dental Network only sells HMO plans, which limit where you can get dental care. Blue Shield, which is the most popular dental insurance company in CA, sells both HMOs and PPOs. PPOs are more expensive, but they give you more flexibility to choose dentists, so they may be more popular.
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Five companies sell dental insurance plans on Covered California. But the number of companies you'll actually be able to choose from depends on where you live. For example, California Dental Network does not offer plans in Northern California, but the other four companies do.
Covered California dental insurance companies
Company | # of enrollees | Monthly dental plan rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Dental Network | 9,850 | $9 |
| Blue Shield | 48,250 | $22 |
| Delta Dental | 44,500 | $28 |
| Anthem Blue Cross | 12,510 | $29 |
| Humana | 1,070 | $47 |
What does California dental insurance cover?
Dental insurance from Covered California usually covers things like exams, cleanings and X-rays.
However, coverage can vary by plan, so check the specifics of any plan you're considering to ensure it meets your needs.
Health insurance plans from Covered California always include coverage for things like routine dental exams and cleanings, called preventive dental care, for children. You can add a child who is 18 or younger to your stand-alone dental plan if you want them to have coverage for things like fillings or root canals.
There are two main types of dental insurance plans: HMOs and PPOs. HMO plans can be a good option if you need cheap coverage. PPOs are better if you want the flexibility to choose your dentist.
An HMO plan only covers you if you use in-network dentists, while a PPO lets you see any dentist and still have some coverage. However, you'll still pay less when you use an in-network dentist with a PPO.
California has standard limits for many aspects of dental plans. This can help you choose whether a PPO or HMO is right for you.
HMO | PPO | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult deductible | None | $50 |
| Child deductible | None | $75 |
| Annual benefit | Unlimited for adults and children | $1,500 for adults Unlimited for children |
| Copay | $0 | $0 |
| Child out-of-pocket maximum | $350 | $350 |
Additionally, plans on Covered California have standard coverage for dental services. If you know what kind of dental care you're likely to need, this can help you figure out which plan type is the most cost effective, because you only have to compare the monthly rate for each company and any extra perks it offers.
HMO | PPO | |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic and preventive care | Free | Free |
| Filling | $25 | You pay 20% |
| Root canal, molar | $300 | You pay 50% |
| Gingivectomy, per tooth | $50 | You pay 50% |
| Extraction | $65 | You pay 50% |
Other dental insurance options in California
Most people get dental insurance through their jobs, which is called group insurance. But if you don't have coverage through your job and you don't want or can't afford a plan from Covered California, you have a few options.
Denti-Cal: Medi-Cal dental coverage
If you're single and make less than $21,597 per year, you can get dental coverage through Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program.
Medi-Cal Dental is sometimes called "Denti-Cal." To get coverage, you have to meet the income requirements for Medicaid in California.
Denti-Cal income limits
Household size | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $21,597 |
| 2 | $29,187 |
| 3 | $36,777 |
| 4 | $44,367 |
| 5 | $51,957 |
Annual income limits as of 2025.
Denti-Cal covers many types of dental care, including exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns and extractions. It even covers some orthodontics for children.
Supplemental dental insurance in California
Supplemental insurance is any plan that gives you coverage beyond your main health or dental insurance plans. Many companies already consider dental insurance to be a supplemental policy, because it supplements your main health insurance plan.
However, you can buy a dental insurance plan from a company like Aflac, which is known for supplemental insurance, or from a company that isn't listed on Covered California.
You can also consider buying a dental savings plan. These plans aren't considered true dental insurance, but they allow you to get certain dental services at a discounted rate. You still have to pay the dentist yourself.
How to get dental insurance in California
The easiest way to get dental insurance in California, if you don't already have coverage through your job, is to shop on Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace. You can also get coverage directly from an insurance company.
Plan ahead. You usually have to buy dental plans on Covered California between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, during what's called "open enrollment." If you move, get married, lose your job or experience another life change, you can get coverage any time of year.
Decide what you need. Are you just looking for coverage for exams and cleanings, or do you tend to need more intense dental care? Knowing the type of coverage you need will help you sort through plans to find the right one for you.
Shop around. Compare the plans in your area and choose one that fits your dental needs. You can shop for dental insurance on Covered California, but remember that you can only buy dental insurance there if you also buy a health insurance plan. If you just need dental insurance, you'll have to buy it directly from an insurance company.
Frequently asked questions
Which dental insurance has the best coverage in California?
Blue Shield is the most popular choice for dental insurance in California. A dental plan from Blue Shield costs $22 per month, on average, which is a bit less than the state average. California Dental Network has the cheapest rates at $9 per month, on average, but it limits you to using only in-network dentists.
How much does dental insurance cost per month in California?
On average, dental insurance in California costs $24 per month. Average rates range between $9 and $47 per month, depending on the company you choose. The plan type you pick also affects your rates. HMO plans tend to be cheaper than PPOs, but they don't give you as much flexibility.
How can I get free dental care in California?
If you have a low income, you can get free or cheap dental care through Medi-Cal Dental, sometimes called Denti-Cal. You'll generally have coverage for services like cleanings, exams, X-rays, root canals and tooth extractions.
Methodology
The cost for dental insurance in California comes from publicly available data on Covered California. Rates are averages for all active or pending plans at the end of the 2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Covered California state marketplace site.
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