How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Dental Insurance Include?
Dental insurance covers preventive care (cleanings, X-rays), basic procedures (fillings, extractions), and major procedures (crowns, bridges, root canals) at varying coverage levels.
The national average cost for dental insurance is $35 per month. Most homeowners pay between $15 and $60, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Plan Type
DHMO: $15-$25/month (limited network). PPO: $25-$60/month (more flexibility)
Coverage
Preventive: 100%. Basic (fillings): 70-80%. Major (crowns): 50%. Annual max: $1,000-$2,000
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Plan type (DHMO vs PPO)
- ✓Coverage level
- ✓Waiting periods
- ✓Annual maximum
- ✓Network restrictions
- ✓Individual vs family
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Preventive care is usually covered at 100% — use all your cleanings
- 2.Dental discount plans ($100-$200/year) can be cheaper than insurance for healthy teeth
- 3.If you need major work, buy insurance now — but note the 6-12 month waiting period
- 4.Max out your annual benefit before year-end if you need work done
📈 Dental Insurance Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +16.7% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30 | — |
| 2021 | $31 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $33 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $34 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $35 | +2.9% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Dental Insurance Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $12 | $29 | $49 |
| Alaska | $19 | $45 | $77 |
| Arizona | $14 | $33 | $57 |
| Arkansas | $12 | $28 | $48 |
| California | $20 | $47 | $81 |
| Colorado | $16 | $38 | $65 |
| Connecticut | $18 | $43 | $73 |
| Delaware | $16 | $37 | $63 |
| Florida | $15 | $34 | $59 |
| Georgia | $14 | $32 | $54 |
| Hawaii | $21 | $50 | $85 |
| Idaho | $14 | $32 | $55 |
| Illinois | $16 | $37 | $63 |
| Indiana | $13 | $31 | $53 |
| Iowa | $13 | $30 | $52 |
| Kansas | $13 | $30 | $51 |
| Kentucky | $13 | $29 | $50 |
| Louisiana | $13 | $30 | $52 |
| Maine | $15 | $36 | $61 |
| Maryland | $17 | $40 | $69 |
| Massachusetts | $20 | $46 | $78 |
| Michigan | $14 | $32 | $55 |
| Minnesota | $15 | $36 | $61 |
| Mississippi | $12 | $27 | $47 |
| Missouri | $13 | $30 | $52 |
| Montana | $14 | $33 | $57 |
| Nebraska | $13 | $31 | $53 |
| Nevada | $15 | $36 | $61 |
| New Hampshire | $17 | $39 | $67 |
| New Jersey | $19 | $44 | $75 |
| New Mexico | $14 | $32 | $54 |
| New York | $20 | $46 | $79 |
| North Carolina | $14 | $32 | $54 |
| North Dakota | $14 | $32 | $54 |
| Ohio | $14 | $32 | $54 |
| Oklahoma | $12 | $29 | $50 |
| Oregon | $17 | $39 | $66 |
| Pennsylvania | $15 | $36 | $61 |
| Rhode Island | $17 | $40 | $69 |
| South Carolina | $13 | $30 | $52 |
| South Dakota | $13 | $30 | $51 |
| Tennessee | $13 | $30 | $52 |
| Texas | $14 | $33 | $56 |
| Utah | $14 | $33 | $57 |
| Vermont | $16 | $38 | $65 |
| Virginia | $16 | $37 | $63 |
| Washington | $17 | $40 | $69 |
| West Virginia | $12 | $28 | $48 |
| Wisconsin | $14 | $33 | $56 |
| Wyoming | $14 | $32 | $55 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dental insurance worth it?
If you use your two annual cleanings and need occasional fillings, insurance usually saves money. For major work, the annual maximum ($1,000-$2,000) limits the benefit.
🏙️ Dental Insurance Cost by City
Compare dental insurance costs in the most popular US cities:
View all 219 cities →
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Dental Insurance
Recent Reports
📐 Dental Insurance Cost Calculator
Get a personalized estimate based on your project details
Compare Insurance Rates
See how much you could save with free quotes from top carriers.
🔍 Compare Insurance Rates
See how much you could save. Compare quotes from top insurance companies in minutes.
* CostWhale may earn a commission. This doesn't affect our pricing data or recommendations.
💰 Get Weekly Cost-Saving Tips
Join 10,000+ smart homeowners. Unsubscribe anytime.