How to get dental insurance if you’re self-employed

Self-employed people have two options for getting dental coverage: Get dental coverage through your existing health insurance plan, or Purchase an individual dental insurance plan.

Dental Insurance for Self-Employed Individuals

Q: What is dental insurance for self-employed individuals?

Dental insurance is a form of supplemental health insurance that helps self-employed people cover dental care costs. This policy can cover a variety of treatments, from routine cleaning to oral surgery. Self-employed people can seek coverage through a workplace plan if available through an employer or spouse. However, many purchase these policies independently.

Dental insurance for self-employed individuals

Dental insurance can help you maintain good oral health and save money. However, when you’re self-employed, you may not have access to an employer-sponsored plan. Luckily, you can still get dental insurance on your own. Whether you’re a freelancer, contractor or small business owner, there are several ways to find coverage that fits your needs and budget. Read on to learn how self-employed dental insurance works and how to choose the right plan for your needs.

4 min. read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Self-employed dental insurance can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for preventive, basic and major dental services.
You can get dental insurance for self-employed individuals through bundled health plans or standalone policies.
Aflac offers network and supplemental dental insurance to help self-employed individuals manage their dental care costs, as well as Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) insurance that combines three types of coverage into one convenient plan.

What is dental insurance for self-employed individuals?

Dental insurance for self-employed individuals is a type of coverage that helps pay for dental care, from routine cleanings to more complex procedures like crowns or oral surgery. Unlike with traditional employer-sponsored plans, self-employed individuals typically have to purchase coverage on their own or join a spouse’s plan, if available.

How to get dental insurance for self-employed individuals

If you’re wondering how to get dental insurance without employer benefits, you have two main options:

Add dental coverage to an existing health plan: Some health insurance plans allow you to add dental coverage to them. This approach can simplify your monthly billing and potentially offer additional savings.
Buy a standalone dental insurance plan: You can purchase dental insurance directly from an insurer like Aflac. These plans vary in coverage, premiums and provider networks, so it’s important to compare your options carefully.

Types of dental insurance for the self-employed

Self-employed individuals can choose from the following types of dental coverage:

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans: A DHMO plan helps cover dental care with in-network dentists. While these plans often have lower premiums and no deductibles, you may need referrals for specialists, and you must stay in the plan’s network to receive coverage.
Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) plans: A DPPO plan offers more flexibility than a DHMO, allowing you to receive coverage for in-network and out-of-network dental visits and see specialists without referrals. However, DPPOs tend to have higher premiums and often require you to meet a deductible before your coverage kicks in.
Dental discount plans: Dental discount plans aren’t insurance. Instead, they’re membership-based programs that give you access to reduced rates on dental services in exchange for an annual fee.

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What to consider when choosing a dental insurance plan

When evaluating your dental insurance self-employed options, keep these factors in mind:

Costs: Review each plan’s premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance to understand your total out-of-pocket expenses.
Coverage: Check to see which services are covered and how much each plan pays for preventive, basic and major care.
Network size and flexibility: If you want to see a specific dentist, see if they're in network or consider finding a DPPO plan that will cover their out-of-network care.
Annual maximums and waiting periods: Understand your coverage limits and whether your coverage is subject to any waiting periods after enrollment.

Is dental insurance worth it for self-employed individuals?

Dental insurance for self-employed individuals can be worthwhile in many circumstances. Here are just a few scenarios where it can be beneficial:

You have children who rely on you for dental insurance coverage.
You have ongoing oral health issues.
You want peace of mind in case of dental emergencies.
You want to keep up with your preventive dental care at a lower cost.

By covering the cost of your preventive visits and a portion of many basic or major services, dental insurance can help you get the care you need while reducing your overall dental expenses.

Is dental insurance tax-deductible for self-employed individuals?

In many cases, self-employed individuals may be able to deduct their dental insurance premiums as a business expense, depending on their situation.¹ Tax rules vary, so it’s a good idea to consult a tax professional to understand what deductions apply to you.

Self-employed dental insurance FAQs

How do I get dental insurance without a job?

You can get dental insurance without a job by purchasing a standalone plan directly from an insurer, enrolling through the ACA Marketplace or joining a dental discount plan. Some people may also qualify for Medicaid or other state programs, depending on their state’s income and eligibility requirements.²

How can I get dental insurance if I’m self-employed?

If you’re self-employed, you can buy dental insurance independently from a provider like Aflac. Standalone dental plans and bundled options like our DVH insurance can provide flexible coverage tailored to your needs.

What’s the difference between dental insurance and a dental discount plan?

Dental insurance helps cover a portion of your dental care costs through premiums, copays and coinsurance. In contrast, dental discount plans are membership programs that provide reduced rates on eligible services.

Get a quote for Aflac dental insurance

Dental insurance can help provide peace of mind and reliable protection for self-employed individuals and their loved ones. At Aflac, we offer dental insurance for self-employed individuals with flexible coverage options to fit a broad range of budgets.

Our network dental insurance plans cover many preventive, basic and major services, while our supplemental dental insurance can help cover expenses your primary plan doesn't cover. You can also add hearing and vision coverage with our DVH insurance plans.

Speak with an Aflac agent today to explore your options and get a quote.

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