What Are the Types of Dental Insurance Principal Offers?

Many people have dental insurance through workplace benefits. If your employer offers dental insurance as part of an employee benefits program, you can enroll in dental coverage for yourself, your spouse, and eligible dependents up to 26 years old. Depending on your employer’s policy, you will likely make group rate premium payments that are lower in cost and deducted from your paycheck.

Principal dental insurance typically covers the following services:

1. Preventive care, such as twice-yearly exams, cleaning, and x-rays (usually once per year), is covered at 100 percent of cost.
2. Basic procedures like cavities or extractions are covered at 80 percent of the cost.
3. Major procedures, including crowns, bridges, and dentures, are covered at 50 percent of the cost.

You are responsible for paying any deductible and remaining balance, again, depending on your employer’s policy. With Principal, you can see a specialist without a referral. Additionally, four oral health programs—periodontal, cancer treatment oral health, second opinion, and general anesthesia—give you the option to receive extra care or get a second opinion. Dental coverage with Principal includes all four.

What is the Principal Dental Access Plan?

What can you do if your employer does not offer dental insurance, or if you would like to consider a different option? Joining the Principal Dental Access Plan, a dental discount plan, can be an affordable choice for individual or family coverage.

What is a dental discount plan? The Principal Dental Access Plan is different from insurance because there are no deductibles, waiting periods, or spending limits—and no paperwork.

Think of it as similar to joining a club, but this membership is for dental care savings. Once you sign up, you get quick and easy access to affordable dental care. Right away, you receive discounts of 15 percent to 60 percent at thousands of dentists throughout the United States. Discounts in the plan apply to everything from routine dental exams and teeth cleaning to major procedures.

You decide when and how often to visit a dentist or specialist. Your dental care is provided at fixed, discounted rates. (Note: Not available in Florida, Illinois, and Nevada.)

How Do I Enroll in the Principal Dental Access Plan?

The Principal Dental Access Plan is suitable for students, young professionals, single adults, seniors, and families. Family plans are designed for two or more people, including you, your spouse, and eligible dependents up to age 26.

Enrollment and participation require just three simple steps:

1. Choose your plan through the Principal app or Principal.com. Individual coverage cost is $96 per year or $8 per month. Family coverage is $120 per year or $10 per month. Both require a one-time, non-refundable activation fee: $10 for yearly and $25 for monthly coverage.

2. A welcome email will include instructions for activating your online account. You can access your digital ID card immediately. Your actual card and membership materials will arrive later by mail.

3. Show your membership card at any participating dentist. Then pay the provider directly when you receive care.

(Note: Plans can be canceled within the first 30 days for a full refund. Activation fees are refundable in Arkansas and Maryland.)

Related Article: How Does Principal Dental Insurance Work?