On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Aetna vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Aetna dental insurance legitimacy and licensing
- Aetna dental plans and costs
- Waiting periods and what is not covered
- Complaints and what customers report
- Extras: virtual care, CVS perks and discounts
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Aetna dental insurance is a legitimate individual plan from Aetna Life Insurance Company, part of CVS Health, and it is one of the few that publishes prices, maximums and coinsurance up front. The DMO from $17 a month has no deductible and no annual maximum but only pays network dentists, while the three PPO plans ($22 to $29 a month) let you see any dentist with a $1,000 to $2,000 yearly cap. Expect 6 and 12 month waits for basic and major work unless you had dental coverage within 90 days, and note that implants and orthodontics are not covered. Aetna's company-wide complaint volume is high, but most of it is about health plans, not dental.
- Plans
- Aetna Dental Direct DMO, Core PPO, Preferred PPO and Preferred 2000 PPO1
- Monthly cost
- Starting at $17 (DMO), $22 (Core PPO), $26 (Preferred PPO) and $29 (Preferred 2000 PPO); Aetna's lowest example rates, as listed October 20261
- Annual maximum
- $1,000 (Core), $1,250 (Preferred), $2,000 (Preferred 2000); no maximum on the DMO1
- Waiting periods
- None for preventive; 6 months basic and 12 months major on PPO plans, waived if everyone enrolled had dental coverage within 90 days1
- Network
- Over 600,000 Aetna Dental PPO dentist locations (network data as of July 1, 2026)1
- Who insures it
- Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Dental Inc. and/or Aetna Health Inc., part of CVS Health1
- Availability
- Varies by state; Aetna's plan page is pending approval in Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia1
- Not covered
- Orthodontics, dental implants and most cosmetic work2
Pros
- Prices, maximums and coinsurance published up front
- DMO from $17 a month with no deductible and no annual maximum
- Preventive care covered at 100% from day one
- Waiting periods waived with dental coverage in the last 90 days
- Over 600,000 PPO dentist locations
Cons
- 6 and 12 month waits for basic and major care if you lack recent coverage
- No orthodontics and no implant coverage
- PPO annual maximums of $1,000 to $2,000 can run out after one crown and root canal
- Not sold in every state
- Aetna overall has heavy complaint volume and a 1.2 Trustpilot score
Best for: People buying their own dental plan who want published prices, a large network and either a no-maximum DMO or a PPO with up to $2,000 a year.
Skip it if: You need braces or implants, need major work in the next 12 months without recent coverage, or live in a state where Aetna does not sell individual dental plans.
Aetna vs. competitors
| Company | Starting price | Annual maximum | Waiting periods | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Dental Direct | From $17 a month (DMO) | $1,000 to $2,000; none on DMO | None for preventive; 6 to 12 months, waived with prior coverage | 600,000+ PPO dentist locations |
| Delta Dental | Varies by state member company | Varies by plan; none on DeltaCare USA | None for cleanings, exams, X-rays | All 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico |
| Guardian | From $15 a month | Not published | None for preventive | 130,000+ providers |
| Humana | From $18 a month | None on Dental Value HMO | None on Dental Value HMO | Nationwide PPO and HMO networks |
| Ameritas | Not published; quote by ZIP | $750 to $2,000; up to $3,500 later | None | Any dentist; Ameritas PPO saves more |
Aetna pricing at a glance
Aetna Dental Direct plans, in-network costs as listed October 20261
| Plan | Starting monthly cost | Annual maximum | Basic care, you pay | Major care, you pay | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Direct DMO | $17 | No maximum | Set copay per service | Set copay per service | $0 |
| Dental Direct Core PPO | $22 | $1,000 | 50% | 50% | $50 per person, $150 family |
| Dental Direct Preferred PPO | $26 | $1,250 | 20% | 50% | $50 per person, $150 family |
| Dental Direct Preferred 2000 PPO | $29 | $2,000 | 20% | 50% | $50 per person, $150 family |
Preventive care (exams, cleanings, X-rays) is covered at 100% in network on every plan. Prices are Aetna's lowest example rates and vary by ZIP code, plan and the number of people covered. Sample DMO copays: crowns $265 to $362, root canals $135 to $333, dentures $174 to $483. Out-of-network dentists can bill you the difference on PPO plans.
Aetna, step by step
Enter your ZIP code
Aetna shows the plans and prices sold in your area. Check that your dentist is in network before choosing a DMO.
Pick DMO or PPO
The DMO is cheapest and has no annual maximum but needs a network dentist. A PPO lets you see any dentist, with a yearly cap.
Apply and pay online
You complete an application and pay the first premium. Preventive care can be used right away.
Waiting periods
On PPO plans, basic care starts after 6 months and major care after 12, unless you show dental coverage within the last 90 days.
Use your benefits
Check benefits and claims in the Aetna Health app or member site, and use the included Dental.com virtual care and CVS ExtraCare Plus extras.
Aetna dental insurance legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Aetna Dental Direct plans are insured by Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Dental Inc. and Aetna Health Inc., which are part of CVS Health. AM Best affirmed an A (Excellent) financial strength rating for Aetna’s insurance subsidiaries in June 2026.
Aetna stopped selling individual health plans on HealthCare.gov after 2025, but that exit did not affect its individual dental plans, which you can still buy directly from Aetna. Plan availability varies by state, and Aetna’s plan page notes its content is pending approval in Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia.
Aetna dental plans and costs
Aetna lists four individual plans. The DMO starts at $17 a month with no deductible and no annual maximum, but you must use a network dentist and pay a set copay per service, for example $265 to $362 for a crown or $135 to $333 for a root canal. Orthodontics is not covered.
The three PPO plans let you see any dentist. Core PPO ($22 a month) pays 50% of basic and major care up to $1,000 a year. Preferred PPO ($26) and Preferred 2000 PPO ($29) pay 80% of basic and 50% of major care, up to $1,250 or $2,000. All three have a $50 per person deductible ($150 per family) for basic and major care.
These are Aetna’s lowest example rates; your price depends on your ZIP code and who you cover. A DMO is usually the better value if you expect expensive work and like a network dentist, because there is no yearly cap.
Waiting periods and what is not covered
Preventive care starts right away. On PPO plans, basic care such as fillings has a 6 month wait and major care such as crowns, root canals and dentures has a 12 month wait. Aetna waives both if every person on the plan had dental coverage within 90 days before enrolling, so keep proof of your old plan.
Aetna’s plan brochure lists exclusions that matter: no orthodontics, no dental implants, no cosmetic work, and a replacement rule that limits coverage for replacing crowns, bridges and dentures. Treatment that began before your coverage started is also excluded. Read your policy before scheduling major work.
What customers say about Aetna
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Large dentist network that makes it easy to keep your dentist
- Published prices and benefit levels
- Preventive care fully covered from day one
- Easy online member tools and app
Common complaints
- Claim denials and slow claims (mostly Aetna health plans)
- Hard to reach customer service
- Annual maximums that run out after one major procedure
- Surprise bills from out-of-network dentists
Complaints and what customers report
Aetna’s public ratings mix all of its products. The BBB profile for Aetna Inc. shows 1,219 complaints in three years and Trustpilot averages 1.2 out of 5, but most of those reviews concern health insurance claim denials, prior authorizations and customer service, not individual dental plans.
Dental-specific frustrations tend to be the same across insurers: annual maximums used up quickly, out-of-network balance bills on PPO plans, and claims denied under waiting period or replacement rules. To avoid them, confirm your dentist’s network status, ask your dentist for a pre-treatment estimate before major work, and request the reason in writing if a claim is denied. You can appeal through Aetna and then complain to your state insurance department.
Extras: virtual care, CVS perks and discounts
Every Aetna Dental Direct plan includes 24/7 virtual dental care through Dental.com and, in most states, CVS ExtraCare Plus membership with a $10 monthly reward, 20% off CVS Health brand products and free delivery on eligible orders. ExtraCare Plus is not available in Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas or Virginia.
If you do not want insurance, Aetna also sells the Aetna Vital Savings discount card from $7.99 a month plus a one-time $20 start-up fee, with 15% to 50% off at more than 300,000 participating dentists. It is not insurance: you pay the dentist yourself at a discounted rate.
Who should look elsewhere
Skip Aetna if you need braces or implants, since neither is covered. If you need a crown or root canal within a year and have had no dental coverage in the last 90 days, a plan with no waiting period, such as Ameritas, will pay sooner. If your income is limited, check Medicaid, CHIP (which must cover children’s dental), community health centers and dental school clinics before buying a plan.
Alternatives to Aetna
- Ameritas PrimeStar Better if you need a filling or crown soon and have no recent coverage, since it has no waiting periods. Read review
- Delta Dental The largest dental network in the US, worth checking if your dentist is not in Aetna's network. Read review
- Aetna Vital Savings discount card Not insurance, but from $7.99 a month plus a $20 start-up fee it gives 15% to 50% off at participating dentists with no waits or caps.
- Medicaid, CHIP, community health centers or dental schools Free or low-cost care if your income is limited; Medicaid and CHIP must cover children's dental care.
Aetna reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Aetna dental insurance good?
It is a solid choice if you want clear prices and a large network. The DMO has no annual maximum from $17 a month, and the PPOs pay up to $2,000 a year. The main drawbacks are 6 and 12 month waiting periods without recent coverage and no orthodontic or implant coverage.
How much does Aetna dental insurance cost per month?
Aetna lists starting prices of $17 for the DMO, $22 for Core PPO, $26 for Preferred PPO and $29 for Preferred 2000 PPO, as of October 2026. Your actual price depends on your ZIP code and how many people you cover.
Does Aetna dental have a waiting period?
Not for preventive care. PPO plans have a 6 month wait for basic services and 12 months for major services, waived if everyone on the plan had dental coverage within 90 days of enrolling.
Does Aetna dental cover implants?
No. Aetna's individual plan brochure lists dental implants and the restoration of implants as not covered. Ask about a discount plan or dental school clinic for lower-cost implant care.
Does Aetna dental cover braces?
No. Orthodontics is not covered on any Aetna Dental Direct individual plan.
What is the difference between Aetna's DMO and PPO?
The DMO requires a network dentist and charges set copays, with no deductible and no annual maximum. The PPO lets you see any dentist and pays a percentage of each bill after a $50 deductible, up to a $1,000 to $2,000 yearly cap.
Can I see any dentist with Aetna dental?
With a PPO plan, yes, but out-of-network dentists may charge more than Aetna pays and bill you the difference. With the DMO you must use a network dentist, except for limited benefits in Illinois.
Is Aetna Dental Access or Vital Savings insurance?
No. Aetna Vital Savings is a discount card that costs from $7.99 a month plus a $20 start-up fee. It gets you 15% to 50% off at participating dentists, but Aetna pays nothing toward your bill.
Is Aetna dental available in every state?
No. Availability varies by state, and Aetna's plan page notes content pending approval in Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia. Enter your ZIP code on Aetna's site to see what is sold where you live.
Did Aetna stop selling individual dental plans?
No. Aetna left the ACA health insurance marketplaces after 2025, but it still sells Aetna Dental Direct individual dental plans directly as of October 2026.
Sources (14)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Aetna: Dental insurance plans for individuals and families (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Aetna: Dental Direct PPO plans brochure (68.02.302.1) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Aetna Vital Savings: dental discount cards (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AM Best: Affirms credit ratings of CVS Health's Aetna Inc. subsidiaries (Business Wire, June 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Aetna Inc. profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Aetna reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: Aetna Health (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CVS Health (SEC filing): First quarter 2025 results, Aetna individual exchange exit (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Delta Dental: Individual and family dental plans (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Guardian: Dental insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Humana: Dental insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Ameritas: PrimeStar Dental Plans highlights (effective 4/1/2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Medicaid.gov: Dental care (accessed October 12, 2026)
- NIDCR (NIH): Finding dental care (accessed October 12, 2026)
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