What is a Dental Insurance Waiting Period?

If you’ve just started a new dental insurance plan in 2026, you may not have realized that some plans come with a “waiting period” that could delay access to your full benefits. Although not every plan has one, here’s a closer look at what it could mean if yours does, and when you can expect your benefits to be fully effective.

What Are Dental Insurance Waiting Periods?

A waiting period is a delay in some benefits available with your dental insurance plan. It was designed to prevent patients from simply buying a policy to cover expensive restorations and then canceling it immediately after the work is complete. To combat this, dental insurance providers generally make coverage for preventive care like dental exams and cleanings available immediately, while payment for more expensive treatments like dentures and crowns must wait a specified amount of time.

How Long Will My Waiting Period Last?

Because each dental insurance plan is different, your waiting period could last anywhere from a few months to up to a year. The good news is that many employer-sponsored dental insurance plans do not have waiting periods, but if yours does, there may be several options for commuting it.

If you have recently been covered by another dental insurance plan, it is sometimes possible to have the waiting period waived if you submit proof to your new provider showing that you’ve had previous consistent coverage.

Another way around waiting periods is to purchase your dental insurance directly from your previous provider instead of selecting a new plan through your employer.

Which Dental Treatments Are Affected by Waiting Periods?

Although each dental insurance plan is different, the easiest way to determine if yours has a waiting period is to speak to your human resources department, or to call your insurance company directly. If your plan does have a waiting period, here’s a general set of guidelines for how it might work:

• Preventive Care: Preventive treatments like exams and cleanings and dental X-rays are usually fully covered on day one.
• Basic: Minor restorations such as fillings could have up to a six-month waiting period               before they are covered.
• Major: More involved treatments such as oral surgery and dentures could take a full year before they are covered.

What Happens if I Need Treatment Before My Waiting Period is Over?

Unfortunately, when it comes to your smile, accidents happen. If you require urgent dental care before your dental insurance waiting period is over, your dentist may have options to help, such as flexible financing, which can break up the cost of your treatment into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that are easier on your budget. This way, although they may not be covered by your insurance, you may still be able to afford the care you need without waiting for your coverage to take effect.

Remember, while your new dental insurance may come with a waiting period, there are still options available for making your care more affordable. In the meantime, be sure to take full advantage of the benefits that are available, such as your regular preventive cleanings and exams, as these will help reduce your risk of needing more expensive treatment later.

About Dr. Amburgey

Dr. Steven Amburgey earned his dental degree from WVU Dental School in 2005 and still pursues continuing education to this day. He is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. If you have new dental insurance that you’d like to begin using to keep your smile healthy and bright, contact the team at Amburgey Dental to get started. We can be reached via our website, or by calling 276-258-5568.