Delta Dental's Networks: What's the Difference?
Posted on January 14, 2016 in Dental benefit information
When you need dental care, choosing an in-network dentist is always a good idea. That's because network dentists have agreed to offer reduced fees and abide by our policies – and have met industry standards for care, safety and cleanliness. However, your specific dental benefits plan may offer access to one or more of our dentist networks. Here's what you need to know.
The Delta Dental PPOSM network provides the deepest discounts while offering access to more than 103,000 dentists practicing in over 270,000 office locations nationwide.1 Wondering what PPO stands for? That's Preferred Provider Organization. Dentists in the Delta Dental PPOSM network have agreed to accept established fees for services. On average, these fees are 30 percent less than what the dentist would normally charge. And, our PPO dentists' rates are often even less than what Delta Dental Premier® network dentists have agreed to charge – meaning lower out-of-pocket expenses and the best value for you!
The Delta Dental Premier® network is our largest. More than 155,000 dentists participate in this network, with more than 348,000 office locations across the country.2 These dentists have also agreed to provide dental care services for reduced fees, though the savings may not be as substantial as those you would receive from a Delta Dental PPO network dentist.
The good news is that 80 percent of dentists in the nation participate in one of these two networks – Delta Dental PPO or Delta Dental Premier.3 That means it's always easy for you to find an in-network dentist.
Delta Dental also offers plans that provide access to a national Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) that includes nearly 58,000 locations.4 With the DeltaCare® USA plan, you select a primary care dentist from a panel of designated dentists. Your primary care dentist then manages your dental needs, including referrals to specialists as needed.
To find a participating network dentist, visit deltadentalil.com and click on “Provider Search”.
1 Delta Dental participating network count, September 2015
2 Delta Dental participating network count, September 2015
3 Delta Dental internal data, 2015
4 Delta Dental participating network count, September 2015