Aetna Dental plans (offered by Aetna Life Insurance Company, a CVS Health company) fully cover preventative care with no out-of-pocket costs, including cleanings, oral exams, and routine x-rays.
With their plans, you can choose from more than 120,000 dental providers nationwide, whether in or out-of-network, although you might pay more than in-network options. And you can even add vision coverage to your dental plan in select states!
Aetna’s website also features digital tools that “help you search for network dentists, read patient reviews and ratings, compare out-of-pocket costs,” set up appointments, and sign up for email visit reminders.
In this article, we’ll help you decide if you should enroll in Aetna’s dental program, starting with each plan’s details.
Aetna Dental Direct Plans
Aetna Dental Direct plans provide coverage that helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy, including no out-of-pocket costs, without requiring you to purchase medical or other coverage from the company. And if you switch from your existing coverage without any lapse, you can start using your plan immediately.
However, it’s important to emphasize that if you had a Dental Direct Plan with Aetna during the past two years, you have to wait two years after the termination date to re-enroll.
Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PDN
Aetna’s Direct Preferred PDN is the company’s top plan, which focuses on helping you pay less for some common services. You’ll have a $50 individual/$150 family deductible, no coinsurance for preventive services (20% for basic and 50% for major services), and an annual maximum benefit of $1,250 per person.
Aetna waives the waiting period if everyone enrolling in the plan has had dental coverage in place within the past 90 days. Otherwise, coverage doesn’t go into effect until after the waiting period.
Aetna Dental® Direct Core PDN
Aetna’s Direct Core PDN dental plan focuses on helping you pay a lower monthly premium, which also has $50 individual/$150 family deductibles and no coinsurance costs for preventive care. Basic and major services come with 50% coinsurance, and there’s an annual maximum benefit of $1,000 per person.
Similar to the Direct Preferred PDN program, the waiting period is waived if everyone enrolling in the plan has had dental insurance within the past 90 days.
Here’s a quick table outlining the differences between each plan:
| Services | Direct Preferred PPO | Direct Core | ||
| Preventative (no waiting period) | In-Network | Out-of-Network | In-Network | Out-of-Network |
| Preventive oral examinations | No cost | No cost | No cost | No cost |
| Cleanings | No cost | No cost | No cost | No cost |
| Full-mouth series images | No cost | No cost | No cost | No cost |
| Sealants (permanent molars only) | No cost | No cost | No cost | No cost |
| Basic (6-month waiting period) | ||||
| Resin filling (1 surface) | 20% | 20% | 50% | 50% |
| Periodontal maintenance cleanings | 20% | 20% | 50% | 50% |
| Extraction (uncomplicated) | 20% | 20% | 50% | 50% |
| Major (12-month waiting period) | ||||
| Oral surgery | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Crowns | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Root canal therapy | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Dentures | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Orthodontics | Not covered | Not covered | ||
| Deductible (calendar year) | $50 (individual), $150 (family) | $50 (individual), $150 (family) | ||
| Annual maximum benefit | $1,250 | $1,250 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
What is Aetna’s Vital Savings Dental Discount Card?
With Aetna’s Vital Savings Dental Discount Card, you can get instant savings between 15 and 50 percent on the cost of most services. According to their website, all you have to do is show your discount card at the time of your appointment, and you’re all set.
You can purchase the card online, by mail, or over the phone.
How Much Do Aetna Dental Plans Cost?
Aetna’s dental plans start at $22 per month. However, what you’ll pay and the savings you’ll earn can vary based on a number of factors, including provider and geographic area.
With this said, here were the rates reflected on the Aetna website based on a date of birth of 1/1/62, 77375 zip code, a 3/1/22 effective date, and no lapse in dental coverage:
- Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PDN: $69.78/mo
- Aetna Dental® Direct Core PDN: $60.89/mo
For comparison, prices were slightly lower in the 74008 zip code:
- Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PDN: $66.36/mo
- Aetna Dental® Direct Core PDN: $57.57/mo
Additional costs, deductibles, and coinsurance are as follows:
| Plan | Deductible | Coinsurance | Annual Maximum Benefit |
| Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PDN | $50 individual/$150 family | Preventive: No Cost
Basic: 20% Major: 50% |
$1,250 per person |
| Aetna Dental® Direct Core PDN | $50 individual/$150 family | Preventive: No Cost
Basic: 50% Major: 50% |
$1,000 per person |
Should You Purchase an Aetna Dental Plan?
There are many different companies to select when deciding between dental plans for you and your family, whether from Aetna or another carrier. But you don’t have to make the decision alone. The friendly staff at IHS Insurance Group is waiting to hear from you!
Need a FREE Quote or have questions regarding Dental Insurance Coverage? We have three convenient ways to reach us:
- If you prefer to talk to a licensed agent directly, please call (866) 480-5063.
- If you prefer to fill out a quick form and have an agent get back to you at your convenience, use the GET A FREE QUOTE.
- Lastly, for those that want an immediate quote, please click HERE.
We look forward to speaking with you today!
