Californians, we've got your dental plan

There's more to good health than eating right, exercising, and getting regular checkups. Taking care of your teeth is important, too. With a Blue Shield of California dental plan, you’ll enjoy a range of dental benefits including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and more. Orthodontia and implants are also covered by most plans. Apply online anytime or call (888) 273-4546 today!

Compare dental PPO vs HMO plans

Greater choice in dental providers

Dental PPO plans generally have higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs for services compared to HMO plans, but you get a larger selection of dentists to choose from.

Lower costs for dental coverage

Dental HMO plans have a smaller network of dentists compared to PPO plans, but offer lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs for services.

Dental plans available on the exchange

Those who have a medical plan through Covered California can also purchase a Blue Shield of California Family Dental PPO or Family Dental HMO plan during open enrollment.

Compare 2026 dental plan benefits and coverage

Blue Shield offers you more options to maximize your individual and family dental coverage. Find the right dental plan for you and your loved ones.

Bolded values = Benefit is subject to a deductible​

  Dental Standard HMO Dental HMO Dental PPO Specialty DuoSM Dental + Vision package* Dental
PPO 1500
Enhanced Dental PPO 50/2000 Enhanced Dental PPO 50/2000 Lifetime Ortho 1500 Family Dental HMO Family Dental PPO
Age: 0-25,‡   26+ 0-25,‡   26+ 0-25,‡   26+ 0-25,‡  26+ 0-25,‡   26+ 0-25,‡   26+ 0-25,‡   26+ 0-18,‡ 19+ 0-18,‡ 19+
Monthly rates starting at:† $13.20, $16.40 $25.00, $27.40 $43.50, $51.40 $48.50, $57.20 $50.10, $59.30 $58.60, $75.50 $63.60, $82.00 $14.60, $14.00 $30.10, $45.70
Benefit With participating providers, members pay:1
Diagnostic and preventive services $0 $0 $02 $02 $02 0% 0% 0% $02
Restorative services – Fillings (resin-based composite – one surface, anterior) $20 $18 $373 $373 $373 20%4 20%4 $30 20%
Oral surgery (extraction of erupted tooth or exposed root elevation and/or forceps removal $40 $34 $403 $403 $403 20%4 20%4 $65 50%4
Removal of impacted tooth (complete bony) $225 $125 $1133 $1133 $1133 20%4 20%4 $160 50%4
Root canal (retreatment of previous root canal therapy – Anterior) $175 $245 $1563 $1563 $1563 50%5 50%5 $245 50%4
Root canal (endodontic therapy, molar tooth – Excluding final restoration) $355 $290 $2343 $2343 $2343 50%5 50%5 $300 50%4
Crowns (porcelain fused to high noble metal)
$3506 $3006 $3204 $3204 $3204 50%5 50%5 $300 50%4,6
Orthodontics $2,350 for under age 19, fully banded, two years

$2,650 for age 19+, fully banded, two years
$2,350 for under age 19, fully banded, two years

$2,650 for age 19+, fully banded, two years
$2,350 for under age 19, fully banded, two years4,7

$2,650 for age 19+, fully banded, two years4,7
$2,350 for under age 19, fully banded, two years4,7

$2,650 for age 19+, fully banded, two years4,7

$2,350 for under age 19, fully banded, two years4,7

$2,650 for age 19+, fully banded, two years4,7

Not covered 50% ($1,500 lifetime maximum and subject to separate deductible)5,7,8 $350 for under age 19 when medically necessary, not covered for age 19+ 50% for underage 19 when medically necessary, not covered for age 19+
Denture (complete upper or lower) $400 $400 $3884 $3884 $3884 50%5 50%5 $300 for under age 19, $400 age 19+ 50%4
Calendar-year deductible $0 $0 $50 per individual $50 per individual $50 per individual $50 per individual/$150 per family $50 per individual/$150 per family $0 $75 per individual/$150 per family for up to age 19, $50 per individual for age 19+
Calendar-year benefit maximum
None None $1,000 per individual $1,000 per individual $1,500 per individual $2,000 per individual $2,000 per individual None None for under age 19, $1500 per individual age 19+
Complete your coverage with a vision plan

Round out your coverage by adding a vision plan for as little as $7.90 per month.

Frequently asked questions about dental coverage

Dental PPO plans give members a greater choice in dentists. Not only is the dental PPO network larger than the dental HMO network, but Dental PPO plans provide coverage for some services from out-of-network providers at a higher cost. Dental HMO plans offer a smaller network of dentists, but you’ll typically pay less for your monthly premiums. Also, there is no annual benefit maximum on dental HMO plans (PPO plans have a limit of $1,000 to $2,000 in benefits each calendar year). 


 

All Blue Shield PPO and HMO dental plans cover preventive care at no additional cost. Preventive care includes diagnostic services such as cleanings, X-rays, and oral examinations. 


 

Dental plan enrollment timeframes depend on where you purchase a Blue Shield dental plan. If you purchase a dental plan directly from Blue Shield at buyblueshieldca.com, you can apply at any time of the year (even if you don’t have a Blue Shield medical plan). If you purchase a Blue Shield dental plan through Covered California, you can do so at two different times: (1) Any time of the year when also applying for a new medical plan through Covered California; (2) During open enrollment (November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026) if you already purchased a medical plan through Covered California.


 

All our medical plans come with pediatric dental coverage for children under the age of 19. If you have an individual and family medical plan with Blue Shield or another carrier, purchasing a separate dental plan for your child is not necessary. If you do not have an Individual and Family medical plan or if your child is 19 or older, you may want to purchase a dental plan for your child.


 

* Underwritten by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. This plan also includes vision coverage.

† Monthly rates vary by age, plan and region

‡ Rate per child for first 3 children – No cost for 4th child and beyond

∞ Underwritten by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company

1. The amounts indicated are a percentage of the allowed charges. Network providers accept Blue Shield’s allowed charges as payment in full for covered services.

2. Diagnostic and preventive services do not apply to the calendar-year benefit maximum for this plan.

3. There is a three-month waiting period for these services unless you had prior coverage. Contact Customer Service at (888) 271-4880 for more information about obtaining a waiver.

4. There is a six-month waiting period for these services unless you had prior coverage.

5. There is a 12-month waiting period for these services unless you had prior coverage. Contact Customer Service at (888) 271-4880 for more information about obtaining a waiver.

6. If precious metals are used, the member will be charged at the dentist’s cost. For Dental HMO, porcelain on molar teeth is subject to an additional charge of $75.

7. Amounts do not accrue toward the calendar-year benefit maximum.

8. Lifetime maximum is per person. Deductible is $50 per person or $150 per family.

Page last updated: 10/15/2025

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