Cleanings, exams, fillings, glasses, and contacts add up fast. VS Health Benefits compares dental and vision plans from the top carriers and finds coverage that fits your budget and keeps your dentist and eye doctor in network. Buying on your own without employer benefits? See our individual dental and vision plans, or run the numbers on whether coverage is worth it for you.
For adults, yes. Adult dental and vision are not essential health benefits under the ACA, so almost no medical plan includes them. You buy them as a standalone policy or as a bundle. Children's dental is different and is covered. Because premiums are low relative to medical coverage, the real question is simple: add up two cleanings, one eye exam and one pair of glasses at cash price, and compare that to a year of premiums plus any waiting period on major work.
Dental and vision benefits are usually sold as two separate plans that work side by side. Here is what each one typically pays for.
Most dental plans follow a 100 / 80 / 50 structure, which means the plan pays a higher share for preventive care and a smaller share for major work.
Vision plans are built around an annual eye exam plus an allowance toward glasses or contacts, which keeps your out of pocket cost predictable.
Health insurance for adults rarely includes dental and vision, so most people add these benefits separately. There are two ways to do it, and we compare both so you pay the lowest total cost.
The right plan depends on the dentists you use, whether you need orthodontics, and how often you buy new glasses.
See a large network of dentists and keep some coverage out of network. The most flexible option and the most popular with families.
Most flexible
Lower monthly cost with fixed copays and no annual maximum, in exchange for using a set network of dentists.
Lowest premiumAn annual eye exam plus allowances for glasses or contacts through networks like VSP and EyeMed, with LASIK discounts.
Eyes covered
One plan that pairs dental and vision benefits, which means one premium, one card, and simpler renewals.
All in oneA quick chat about your dentist, your eye doctor, and what you want covered.
We confirm your providers are in network before we show you a single plan.
Side by side quotes with real copays, allowances, and waiting periods spelled out clearly.
We handle the paperwork and your ID cards so you can book that next appointment.
Actual prices depend on your age, location, and plan, but here is a realistic range for individual coverage so you know what to expect.
| Coverage | Typical Monthly Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Dental only | $15 to $45 per person | Cleanings, exams, fillings, and a share of major work |
| Vision only | $8 to $20 per person | Annual exam plus glasses or contacts allowance |
| Dental and vision bundle | $25 to $60 per person | Both benefits on one plan and one bill |
| Family plan | $50 to $130 per family | Coverage for two adults and dependent children |
"They found a dental plan that covered my crown without a long waiting period. I had no idea those plans even existed."
"Added vision for the whole family for less than I expected. New glasses for two kids and an exam for me, all covered."
"VS Health Benefits checked that my dentist was in network first. No surprises, no pressure, and it cost me nothing to use them."
We are a licensed, independent brokerage headquartered in Miami, Florida, helping individuals, families, and small businesses find dental and vision coverage across 40+ states. Because dental and vision plans are sold by national carriers, the plans, networks, and prices are broadly similar from state to state — what changes most is which carriers are available and how coverage pairs with any state Medicaid or marketplace options. We check all of that for your ZIP code, free.
Do not see your state? We very likely cover it too — we are licensed in most states. Get a free quote and we will confirm your options in minutes.
For children, dental and vision are considered essential health benefits, so kids' coverage is often built into a family medical plan. For adults, that is not the case. Most medical plans treat teeth and eyes as separate, which is why a typical health policy will pay for a broken arm but not a cleaning or a pair of glasses.
That gap is why standalone dental and vision plans exist. They are inexpensive, they are sold year round, and they are designed to make routine care predictable. Instead of paying full price at the dentist or the optical shop, you pay a small monthly premium and the plan picks up a defined share of the cost.
Run the numbers against how you actually use care. Here is a common example for one adult on a dental plan that costs 30 dollars a month, or 360 dollars a year.
In that example the preventive visits alone come close to paying for the plan, and a single restorative procedure pushes you well past break even. The people who get the least value are those who never visit a dentist and never buy glasses. For everyone who uses routine care, coverage usually wins.
The cheapest dental plan often has the longest waiting periods and the smallest network. If you need work soon, the lowest premium can cost you the most.
A plan that pays 50 percent of a crown still stops paying once you hit the annual maximum. For significant work, a higher maximum is usually worth a slightly higher premium.
Most vision plans cover one or the other each year. Decide which you use more before you enroll so the allowance goes where you need it.
Going out of network can erase most of the savings. Always confirm your dentist and eye doctor participate before you sign up.
For most people yes. If you get regular cleanings and exams, buy glasses or contacts, or expect dental work, a plan usually saves more than it costs. A single crown or a year of glasses can cost more than a full year of premiums.
Yes. Dental and vision plans are sold separately from health insurance and can be purchased on their own at any time of year. You do not need to change your existing medical coverage to add them.
Many dental plans cover preventive care right away but apply a waiting period of six to twelve months for major work like crowns. We compare plans and can point you to options with shorter or no waiting periods.
A dental PPO lets you see a wide network of dentists and keep some coverage out of network, while a DHMO uses a set network with fixed copays and a lower monthly cost. We help you weigh flexibility against price.
Yes. Family dental and vision plans cover two adults and dependent children, and they usually cost less per person than separate individual policies. We compare family and individual pricing for you.
Individual dental coverage often runs about 15 to 45 dollars per month and vision often runs about 8 to 20 dollars per month. Bundled and family plans vary. We show your exact price before you enroll.
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