Aetna Dental Insurance Review (2024)

Aetna is a well-known name in health insurance — the company has offered coverage for over a hundred years. This company has a reputation for trustworthiness and has expanded its selection of services over the last 150 years. About 50 years ago, Aetna created a dental insurance plan. Today, Aetna Dental insurance is a popular choice for Americans looking to protect their smiles. It can be tricky to find the best dental insurance plan for your needs. Is Aetna Dental insurance good? Aetna’s reputation and decades of experience make it an obvious choice for some people, but is Aetna right for you? If you think you might want to purchase Aetna Dental insurance, a significant factor to consider is the price — how does it compare to other companies? Enter your ZIP code into our free tool when you’re ready to discover what dental insurance quotes might look like for you.

What is Aetna Dental insurance?

Aetna offers several plans for employers and private buyers in two main categories: PPOs and DMOs. A PPO is a Preferred Provider Organization plan. PPOs have a network of providers that agree to accept your insurance coverage. Aetna Dental providers in a PPO plan will provide the most affordable dental options for you. However, a PPO gives you the freedom to select any dentist you want. But you’ll pay more for dentists outside of your network since your insurance won’t fully cover them. A DMO, or a Dental Maintenance Organization plan, is a little simpler than a PPO. Aetna dentist providers within a DMO have fixed fees for their services. You don’t have to meet a deductible or file a claim — the service is always the same price, regardless of the procedure. Employers can purchase a PPO, a DMO, or a Dental Indemnity plan. Private buyers can obtain a PPO plan. Finally, Aetna offers a dental discount plan. While this plan isn’t insurance, it provides significant savings on dental services.

Employer Insurance Plans

The three products that Aetna offers to employers provide affordable dental coverage to their entire business.

Aetna Dental DMO

The Aetna Dental DMO promises to fit everyone’s budget. With the DMO, your employees choose a primary care dentist (PCD) within the network. They can select a new dentist once a year, but they can’t switch in between. There are no lifetime limits for services, no deductibles, and no claims, though you do need a primary care dentist. You’ll also need a referral for specialty dental care.

Aetna Dental PPO

The Aetna Dental PPO gives employees slightly more freedom to choose their dental care. It’s still less expensive to remain in-network, but they can choose to go wherever they wish. There are deductibles with a PPO and higher rates compared to a DMO. However, you don’t need a primary care dentist.

Aetna Dental Indemnity Plan

Finally, the Aetna Dental Indemnity plan allows members to select any dentist they want anywhere in the country. You pay your dentist directly, then file a claim for reimbursement. With this plan, you don’t have to choose a primary care dentist, and you don’t need referrals for specialty care. However, this plan comes with the highest rates and the largest deductibles.

Private Insurance Plans

If your employer doesn’t offer dental insurance, you can buy your own private insurance through Aetna. You can choose between two types of PPOs.

Aetna Dental Direct

The first option is Aetna Dental Direct. This plan covers 100% of your preventative care, including X-rays and dental cleanings. A benefit to the Dental Direct plan is that there are no waiting periods. Typically, you have to make payments on your insurance for some time before services like crowns and root canals are covered. You can select your own dentist with this plan, but you’ll pay less if you remain in the network.

Aetna Vital Savings Plan

There is also the option to purchase the Aetna Vital Savings plan, which gives you access to over 250,000 dentists all over the county. While it’s not insurance, you’ll receive a discount of between 15% and 50% on most dental services.

Aetna Dental Coverage Through Medicare

You could also be covered for some dental-related procedures through an Aetna Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan. It’s one of the top five when it comes to a best overall Medicare insurance company. If you’re wondering, does Medicare Advantage cover dental implants, or, does Medicare cover orthodontics, check out our articles. You can also learn details about Medicare Part C coverage. Read more: Best Oral Surgeons That Will Accept Medicare

How much does Aetna Dental cost?

As with most dental insurance options, Aetna insurance plans are generally affordable.

The average price of dental insurance ranges between $15 and $50 a month. Aetna’s options are within that average, but you can select the dental savings plan if your budget is tight.

Aetna Dental Insurance Reviews

As a large company, Aetna has hundreds of online reviews, most of which are positive. When it comes to Aetna Dental plan reviews, customers tend to like that Aetna is accepted in most dentist offices. They also appreciate that Aetna insurance plans make preventative care extremely affordable. The reviews match what Aetna’s website states about their plans: 50% of the price of crowns and 80% of the cost of fillings are covered. Additionally, customers mention that Aetna covers most of the fee for braces. People also appreciate that it’s relatively easy to cancel your Aetna insurance. On the negative side, customers complain that Aetna can be difficult to contact. Some reviewers were unsatisfied with the level of customer service they received, stating that Aetna representatives were rude or unhelpful. Another common complaint is that customers are often surprised by the final cost of their dental work. They state that the amount of money they are quoted doesn’t always match what they end up paying. As for third-party ratings, A.M. Best rates Aetna an A for financial strength, while the Better Business Bureau also gives it an A. So is Aetna good dental insurance? As our Aetna Dental review shows, it’s considered one of the top dental insurance providers because it’s known for having the best value. What companies are Aetna’s competitors? They include Aflac,  considered the best for provider flexibility and annual maximums; Cigna, considered the best for preventative care; and Humana, considered the best for having the largest provider network.

Read more: Aflac Insurance Review & Complaints: Accident, Life & Illness Insurance

Is dental insurance worth it?

While there are pros and cons to obtaining dental insurance, preventative care is one clear reason why dental coverage is a good idea. Preventative care includes dental services that help keep your teeth healthy and detect future problems before they turn into major, painful issues.

Young people without health concerns probably won’t save too much money by having dental insurance. However, having dental insurance can encourage people to maintain the health of their teeth. With Aetna, your preventative care services are covered so you never have to worry about choosing between your health and your finances. (For more information, read our “Aetna Insurance Review & Complaints: Health Insurance“). Dental care goes beyond your teeth. The health of your mouth has been linked to several health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, and dental insurance can help you do it.

Find the Best Dental Insurance Today

As a trusted healthcare name, affordable Aetna Dental rates might be the best option for your oral health. As with all insurance types, you should compare prices with other companies to ensure that you’re receiving the best deal. If you’re ready to browse Aetna Dental quotes, be sure to compare the options of other plans — just because a plan is more affordable doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best for you. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to determine what quotes might look like for you. Read more:

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