I tell my clients that Dental and Vision are great benefits when the employer pays for them. But may not be a good use of your own funds. In general individual dental plans have around a $1,000/year maximum benefit, and the premium is often around $65/month.
Think of dental insurance as a way to budget your expenses over the year on a monthly basis with just a little bit of insurance thrown in.
I only offer Delta Dental for insurance coverage. It’s a reasonable price in my opinion and has the largest network (it’s nationwide).
Delta Dental of WA (Washington Dental Service) has several good options noted in bold type below for your consideration. Most of my clients choose either Premium or Ascent. All of the plans have no waiting period for preventive care services. Typically they have a twelve‑month waiting period for restorative benefits, except for the Ascent plan which has no waiting period.
Waiting periods may be waived if there is proof of recent prior coverage. You will be asked to add information about your prior dental plan if you have had one in the past 60 days. With that information on your Delta Dental application, the waiting periods will be waived/credited.
Below is a brief outline of the 2026 Delta Dental of Washington Individual & Family™ coverage options for a single adult in Western WA. If you live in Eastern Washington or want coverage for a spouse or family, I can run those numbers separately.
Which plan is right for me?
If you want the most complete coverage and highest annual maximum, Premium is usually the best fit. If you do not have recent prior dental coverage and want to avoid waiting periods while you ease into coverage, Ascent is often the better starting point.
Premium (most comprehensive option)
- Annual maximum: $2,000/year
- Monthly premium (Individual, Western WA): $78.30/month
- Preventive care (exams, cleanings, bitewing x‑rays): 100% (includes 3 exams and cleanings per year)
- Fillings: 80%
- Crowns (repairing teeth): 50%
- Waiting period: Yes, for some restorative services (can be waived with qualifying prior coverage)
This plan is the closest to a typical employer group dental plan.
Plus Ortho
- Annual maximum: $1,500/year (plus a shared household maximum per policy year)
- Monthly premium (Individual, Western WA): $72.90/month
- Preventive care (exams, cleanings, bitewing x‑rays): 100%
- Fillings: 50%
- Crowns (repairing teeth): 50%
- Nightguards: 50% & Orthodontics (straightening your smile): 50% coverage for braces and aligners installed by a licensed dentist, up to $1,500 lifetime maximum, with a 12‑month waiting period
- Waiting period: Yes, for some restorative and ortho services (can be waived with qualifying prior coverage)
Ascent (no‑waiting‑period option)
- Annual maximum (per person, per policy year):
- Year 1: $1,000
- Year 2: $1,250
- Year 3+: $1,500
- Monthly premium (Individual, Western WA): $69.60/month
- Preventive care (exams, cleanings, bitewing x‑rays): 100%
- Fillings: 50% in Year 1, 60% in Year 2, 70% in Year 3+
- Crowns (repairing teeth): 50%
- Waiting period: No waiting period (a key feature of this plan)
Your loyalty is rewarded with an increasing annual maximum and higher coverage percentages for certain services as you renew.
Enhanced
- Annual maximum: $1,000/year
- Monthly premium (Individual, Western WA): $65.00/month
- Preventive care (exams, cleanings, bitewing x‑rays, fluoride): 100%
- Fillings: 50%
- Crowns (repairing teeth): 50%
- Waiting period: Yes, for some restorative services (can be waived with qualifying prior coverage)
Basic
- Annual maximum: $1,000/year
- Monthly premium (Individual, Western WA): $39.10/month
- Preventive care (exams, cleanings, bitewing x‑rays): 100%
- Fillings: 50%
- Crowns: Not covered
- Waiting period: Yes, for some services (can be waived with qualifying prior coverage)
You can review the different plan details and also enroll online here:
If you wish, you can read “View Policy” when online for complete details of each separate plan, including exclusions, limitations, and frequency limits.
Rates are based on factors like age, location (Eastern vs. Western WA), and who is covered (individual, couple, or family). The numbers above are for a single adult in Western Washington. Let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like me to quote spouse or family pricing.
Vision Coverage
Compare Individual DeltaVision® Plans
| Benefit | DeltaVision® Brilliance 200 Plan | DeltaVision® Essential 150 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Description | Premium plan with $200 retail frame (or elective contact lens) allowance and no copays. | Standard plan with $150 retail frame (or elective contact lens) allowance. |
| Monthly Premium (Individual Starting Rate) | $15.55 | $12.50 |
| WellVision Exam® Copay (every 12 months) | $0 | $10 |
| Prescription Glasses (Frames, Lenses) Copay (every 12 months) | $0 | $10 |
| Retail Frame Allowance (every 12 months) | $200 | $150 |
| Costco/Walmart Frame Allowance | $110 | $80 |
| Lenses (single vision, lined bifocal, lined trifocal) | Covered | Covered |
| Impact-Resistant Lens Enhancements for Children Copay | $0 | $0 |
| Standard Progressive Lens Copay | $0 | $55 |
| UV Protection Copay | $0 | $10 |
| Scratch Resistant Coating Copay | $0 | $17 |
| Contact Lens Exam Copay Maximum (fitting and evaluation) | $0 | $40 |
| Elective Contact Lenses Allowance (instead of glasses) | $200 | $150 |
| % Saved on Purchases over Plan Allowance for Frames (within 12 months of last WellVision Exam®) | 20% | 20% |
| Out-of-Network Providers | Not Covered | Not Covered |