Dental plan FAQs
Who can enroll in a Delta Dental plan?
You must be an Oregon or Alaska resident and live in Oregon or the service area in Alaska at least six months out of the calendar year.
Who else can enroll with me?
Eligible members include you, your legal spouse or domestic partner (registered domestic partner in Oregon) and any children through age 25.
When can I enroll in a Delta Dental plan?
You can enroll in a Delta Dental plan with us during the Open Enrollment period.
After Open Enrollment ends, you can only enroll or change plans if you qualify for Special Enrollment. Certain life changes, like getting married, having a baby or moving to a new area, could make you or those your plan covers eligible for Special Enrollment.
If I cancel my Delta Dental coverage, when can I re-enroll?
If you cancel your Delta Dental plan with us, you’ll have to wait 12 months after the termination date to re-enroll in another dental plan with us.
Does it matter which dentist I see?
Yes. You’ll save money by seeing a dentist that’s in your plan network.
How do I confirm that my dentist is in-network?
Delta Dental has a large number of dentists in our networks in Alaska and Oregon, so it's likely that your dentist may be in one of our networks. You can look up your dentist and confirm when you review the available plans while shopping.
Can I switch to a different plan at any time?
If you are a current Delta Dental member, you will only be able to change your dental coverage during the Open Enrollment period. If you experience a qualifying event, such as getting married or adopting a child, you may be able to apply for Special Enrollment outside of the Open Enrollment period.
How soon can I use my dental benefits?
Delta Dental encourages prevention, so services such as cleanings, X-rays and exams are covered from day one.
Some benefits show a “exclusion period.” What does that mean?
Some services may not be covered right away and require an exclusion period for members age 19 and older who have not had continuous dental coverage. This means that those services will only be covered after you have had your Delta Dental plan with us for typically either six or 12 months. If you had previously been covered by another dental plan for a 12 months — with no more than a 90-day break in coverage from the end of your old policy until the effective date of your 2024 Delta Dental policy — this exclusion period may be waived. You can find the specific services that require a exclusion period on the dental plan details page(s).
Do your Delta Dental plans cover orthodontia?
Only in certain cases. Orthodontia is covered for members under age 19 for treatment of cleft palate in Oregon and for medically necessary treatment in Alaska.
Do your Delta Dental plans cover implants?
No. Our plans in Oregon and Alaska do not cover dental implants.
When will my dental plan become effective?
See the dates for Open Enrollment.
Can I be enrolled in a group plan and an Individual dental plan at the same time?
Yes, you can be covered by two dental plans. This is called “dual coverage.” It doesn’t double your coverage, although it may reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Delta Dental works with the other insurance company to coordinate your benefits.
What if I have a dental emergency and I'm out of town?
Each Delta Dental plan comes with a Delta Dental nationwide network. It includes quality dentists across the state and the country. You’ll save on out-of-pocket costs if you see a dentist that’s in the network.