What's the difference between PPO and HMO dental plans?

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) dental plans give patients flexibility — they can see any licensed dentist, with reduced out-of-pocket costs when staying in-network. PPOs typically have an annual deductible, an annual maximum, and coverage percentages that vary by procedure category.

DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) plans operate on a different model. Patients must select a primary dentist from a contracted network, and only that dentist can provide care or refer to specialists. In exchange, DHMO plans usually have no deductibles, no annual maximums, and flat copay amounts for each procedure.

PPO plans are more common in the U.S. dental insurance market because they balance flexibility and cost. DHMO plans tend to have lower monthly premiums and predictable out-of-pocket costs, which appeals to patients who value cost certainty over provider choice.

Indemnity (traditional fee-for-service) plans are a third category, mostly used in older employer plans. These pay a percentage of usual and customary fees and let patients see any dentist, but they have largely been replaced by PPOs in the modern market.

Discount plans and dental savings plans are not insurance at all — they're memberships that provide reduced fees at participating providers. They're often confused with insurance during verification, so it's important to distinguish between an actual carrier policy and a discount card.