Frequently Asked Questions

Do dental plans have waiting periods?

Some dental plans do, especially for basic and major services.

• Preventive care (like cleanings and exams) is often covered right away.

• Basic and major services may require you to be enrolled for a certain period of time before coverage begins.  

Waiting periods vary by plan. The plans that HTA offers typically do not have waiting periods for coverage (but benefits may be slightly reduced in the first benefit year of the plan).

Some plans lower first-year benefits instead of using waiting periods. This helps keep premiums reasonable and encourages ongoing coverage rather than short-term enrollment for a single procedure. Benefits often increase in future years if you stay enrolled.

Can I use dental insurance right away?

In many cases, yes — especially for preventive care.
Coverage for other services depends on the plan and whether it includes a waiting period. If timing is important, let us know and we’ll focus on plans that best fit your situation.

What if I don’t have a dentist yet?

That’s completely okay.
If you don’t have a dentist, we can:

• Show you plans with large networks so you have plenty of options, or

• Focus on plans that allow you to see any dentist

If you’d like, we can also help you understand how to search for an in-network dentist in your area.

Can I enroll in dental insurance at any time?

Yes — most individual dental plans are available year-round.
You don’t need to wait for an open enrollment period like you do with major medical insurance.

Will my dental plan cover everything?

Dental insurance is designed to help manage costs, not eliminate them completely.

Most plans:

• Share costs between you and the insurance company

• Have an annual maximum on how much the plan will pay each year

We’ll help you understand what a plan is designed to cover — and what out-of-pocket costs to expect — before you enroll.

How do I know which plan is right for me?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best plan depends on:

• Whether you want to keep a specific dentist

• The types of dental work you expect

• How much you want to pay monthly vs. out-of-pocket

That’s why we send a small, curated set of quotes instead of overwhelming you with every option available.

Is there any cost or obligation to get quotes?

No.  Requesting quotes is free, and there’s no obligation to enroll. If you have questions after reviewing the options, you can schedule time with an advisor — or simply take time to think it over.