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!

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Compare dental PPO vs. HMO plans for California residents

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.

Find a PPO dentist
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.

Find an HMO dentist
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.

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Compare 2027 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:† $14.10,
$17.50		 $26.60, $29.20 $46.30, $54.70 $51.30,
$60.50∞		 $53.40, $63.20 $62.40,
$80.40		 $67.70,
$87.30		 $15.60,
$14.90		 $32.10,
$48.70

Deductible and plan maximum

  
Calendar year deductible Not applicable Not applicable $50 per individual $50 per individual $50 per individual $50 per individual / $150 per family $50 per individual / $150 per family Not applicable

$75 per individual / $150 per family for under age 19

$50 per individual for adults
Calendar year benefit maximum No maximum No maximum $1,000 per individual $1,000 per individual $1,500 per individual $2,000 per individual $2,000 per individual No maximum

No maximum for under age 19

$1,500 per individual for adults

Benefit

 With participating providers, members pay:
Oral exam $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period
X-rays $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period
Routine cleanings $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 0%
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period		 $0
No waiting period
Fillings $20 - $40
No waiting period		 $15 - $60
No waiting period		 $35 - $100
No waiting period		 $35 - $100
No waiting period		 $35 - $100
No waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 $25 - $310
No waiting period		 20%
No waiting period
Tooth removal – simple $40
No waiting period		 $34
No waiting period		 $40
3-month waiting period		 $40
3-month waiting period		 $40
3-month waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 $65
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Tooth removal – surgical $75
No waiting period		 $125
No waiting period		 $63
3-month waiting period		 $63
3-month waiting period		 $63
3-month waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 20%
6-month waiting period		 $160
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Root canals $175 - $355
No waiting period		 $155 - $290
No waiting period		 $156 - $234
3-month waiting period		 $156 - $234
3-month waiting period		 $156 - $234
3-month waiting perios		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $195 - $300
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Deep gum cleanings $5 - $75
No waiting period		 $5 - $55
No waiting period		 $32 - $65
3-month waiting period		 $32 - $65
3-month waiting period		 $32 - $65
3-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $25 - $55
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Complete denture (upper) $400
No waiting period		 $400
No waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $300 - $400
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Complete denture (lower) $400
No waiting period		 $400
No waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 $388
6-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $300 - $400
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Denture repairs $75 - $100
No waiting period		 $8 - $45
No waiting period		 $43 - $75
6-month waiting period		 $43 - $75
6-month waiting period		 $43 - $75
6-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $30 - $195
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Crowns
 $210 - $395
No waiting period		 $100 - $300
No waiting period		 $160 - $320
6-month waiting period		 $160 - $320
6-month waiting period		 $160 - $320
6-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 $15 - $310
No waiting period

50%
No waiting period for under age 19

6-month waiting period for adults
Implants Not covered $1,375
No waiting period		 $612
6-month waiting period		 $612
6-month waiting period		 $612
6-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period		 50%
12-month waiting period

$350 for under age 19 with no waiting period

Not covered for adults

 Not covered
Orthodontics (child) $2,350
No waiting period		 $2,350
No waiting period		 $2,350
6-month waiting period		 $2,350
6-month waiting period

$2,350
6-month waiting period

 Not covered 50%
12-month waiting period		 $350
No waiting period		 50%
No waiting period
Orthodontics (adult) $2,650
No waiting period		 $2,650
No waiting period		 $2,650
6-month waiting period		 $2,650
6-month waiting period		 $2,650
6-month waiting period		 Not covered 50%
12-month waiting period		 Not covered Not covered
Complete your coverage with a vision plan

Round out your coverage by adding a vision1 plan for as little as $7.90 per month.

Find a vision plan

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, 2026 through January 31, 2027) 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
∞ Monthly rate is pending regulatory approval
1 Underwritten by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company

Page last updated: 10/01/2026

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