Dental insurance provides you and any covered family members access to high-quality and routine care for your teeth and gums at a reduced cost—helping to protect you against unexpected issues in the future, like cavities, crowns, and gum disease.
1. Purchase benefit through your employer
You can buy dental coverage for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents to age 26 at a lower cost than if you purchase it on your own. The cost of this benefit (known as the premium) is deducted from your paycheck.
2. Receive dental services at a reduced cost
Dental insurance pays for all or a portion of the preventative, basic, and major procedures you and any covered family members receive, ranging from routine exams and X-rays to fillings and dentures.
3. File your claim
Your dentist will likely file your claim with Principal® on your behalf, which is the preferred method. But if you submit your own dental claim, you’ll need to send us the dentist’s itemized statement and a copy of the front/back of your ID card.
Find a provider
Search our network for your preferred dentist or specialist.
Principal provides a network of 136,000+ dentists nationwide, so you can likely keep your dentist or find one nearby.
Avery is married to Jayden and has a young daughter. They try hard to prepare healthy meals to keep their family active. But, Avery and Jayden start each morning with their favorite coffee. And their daughter inherited their sweet tooth. Jayden skipped routine dental exams in the past, which led to extensive dental work later.
Avery knows first-hand the value of routine dental care. That’s why she and Jayden appreciate having access to dental insurance through their employer. It’s one more way they can help keep their family healthy.
Example for illustrative purposes only.
The Principal Plan® Dental Network is in 50 states
No waiting period for coverage when purchased during your employer’s annual benefits enrollment.
On the Principal® app or at principal.com, you can view and manage your benefits and claims, as well as view and download your ID cards from the app.
Principal dental insurance typically covers:
- 100% of preventative care costs (i.e., exams, cleanings, X-rays)
- 80% of basic procedures (i.e., fillings, extractions)
- 50% of major procedures (i.e., crowns, bridges, dentures)
And you’re responsible for any remaining balance and deductible if applicable. Also, you can see a specialist without a referral. Check your policy for specific information.
These four programs (periodontal, cancer treatment oral health, second opinion, general anesthesia) give you the option to receive extra care or get a second opinion—and all four are included with your dental coverage.
Not all services are covered under dental insurance—check your policy for specific information. For example, cosmetic procedures (i.e., teeth bleaching and veneers), dental implants, and orthodontia (i.e., braces) may not be covered.
- In-network dental services mean you pay less out-of-pocket because fees are pre-established with Principal. You get more dental coverage and more benefits at the time of service. If you visit an in-network dentist in the USA or Mexico, it’s easy: you pay a deductible and coinsurance, and your dentist will file the claim.
- Out-of-network dental services are when you choose providers who have not agreed to your dental insurance plan’s contracted rates with Principal. So, these services are generally more costly, and your insurance plan typically covers a lesser percentage of these higher charges. If you visit a non-network dentist in the USA or Mexico, you’ll pay more for services and dental work—and it may be up to you to submit the claim to Principal.
For the services you receive under your dental insurance, it’s important to understand the following terms that will be noted in your policy.
- If you have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) dental plan, any remaining balance you pay is called coinsurance, which typically ranges from 20% to 80% of the total bill.
- A dental insurance deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered dental services before your insurance plan begins to pay expenses for you. This amount typically resets annually.
- Most dental policies cap (known as an annual maximum) how much is spent on your dental procedures. Coverage maximums typically range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. If you reach the yearly maximum amount of coverage, you’re responsible for paying 100% of any remaining dental costs.
Learn more.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your benefits? Talk to your employer or financial professional about benefit costs and how to enroll.
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