With 72 million adults in the U.S. lacking dental coverage, patients are actively seeking options beyond traditional carriers like Principal Dental. While Principal offers solid preventive coverage and access to 136,000+ dentists, waiting periods that take months and claims paperwork push many toward alternatives. These range from competing insurance carriers to modern dental membership platforms that eliminate these constraints entirely. This guide evaluates both traditional insurance alternatives and membership-based solutions to help you find what fits your needs and budget.
- Dental membership plans remove common insurance frustrations. No waiting periods, no annual maximums, no claim denials. Patients get immediate access to discounted care through subscription-based programs at participating practices.
- Traditional insurance carriers provide network portability. Delta Dental, MetLife, and Cigna offer PPO networks allowing patients to visit any in-network dentist nationwide, while membership plans connect patients to specific practices.
- 72 million Americans lack dental coverage. This access gap makes alternatives like dental membership plans worth considering. The rise of gig-economy workers amplifies this need, with 27.6 million workers in the independent workforce.
Understanding your options, whether another traditional insurer or a membership model, helps you make decisions aligned with your specific dental needs and financial situation.
While Clerri does not offer insurance, it represents a fundamentally different approach that delivers predictable pricing and fewer coverage restrictions. Clerri is a dental membership platform that enables practices to create and manage subscription-based membership plans where patients pay monthly or annual fees for access to preventive care and discounts on additional services.
Why Clerri Stands Out
The platform serves 20,000+ dentists across all 50 states, including 7 of the top 10 DSOs, making it the most widely adopted membership solution. Formed through the merger of Kleer and Membersy, Clerri combines the capabilities of the industry's two largest platforms into a single comprehensive solution.
Key Features:
- No waiting periods: Patients receive immediate access to care upon enrollment
- No annual maximums: Unlimited visits without arbitrary caps on benefits
- Automated billing and renewals: Recurring payments processed automatically
- Real-time benefit tracking: Shows which services patients have used and what remains available
- Built-in compliance: DMPO, Knox-Keene, HIPAA, and PCI compliance handling across all 50 states
The Membership Effect
Clerri's documented Membership Effect research quantifies patient behavior changes. Practices experience 76% more visits and 146% more procedures from membership patients, meaning people maintain preventive visits and accept recommended treatment more consistently.
Delta Dental operates as the largest dental insurer in the United States, serving millions through its network of affiliated companies. The carrier's extensive history in dental benefits makes it a primary Principal alternative for those preferring traditional insurance with the widest provider access.
Key Features:
- Largest dental PPO network nationwide
- Available in all 50 states through affiliated companies
- Multiple plan tiers including PPO, Premier, and HMO options
- Online member portal for claims and benefit tracking
Pricing Structure:
- Premiums vary by state and plan type
MetLife provides national dental coverage with a focus on technology-enhanced claims processing and broad employer group availability.
Key Features:
- Large nationwide provider network
- Integration available with MetLife medical and vision plans
- Online tools for finding dentists and tracking benefits
- Strong employer group infrastructure
Pricing Structure:
- Premiums vary by state and plan type
Cigna offers both traditional PPO plans and DHMO options, providing flexibility for cost-conscious consumers who want lower premiums with network restrictions or higher premiums with provider choice.
Key Features:
- PPO and DHMO plan options
- Nationwide provider network
- Online account management tools
- Integration with Cigna medical plans available
- Orthodontic coverage on qualifying plans
- Multiple plan tiers at varying price points
Pricing Structure:
- Low Deductible Plans: Average monthly premiums start at $19
- High Annual Maximum Plan: Average monthly premiums start at $44
- Bundled Plans: Average monthly premiums start at $32
As a CVS Health subsidiary, Aetna brings integration potential with pharmacy benefits and retail health locations, plus strong options for seniors coordinating with Medicare.
Key Features:
- Medicare coordination options for seniors
- CVS Health integration for convenient care access
- Multiple plan options including PPO and DMO
- Online tools and mobile app for benefit management
- Preventive care covered at 100% in-network
Pricing Structure:
- Plan options start at $17
Part of the largest healthcare company by market capitalization, UnitedHealthcare offers dental coverage that integrates with its broader health insurance ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Largest overall healthcare network in the U.S.
- Integration with UnitedHealthcare medical plans
- Multiple dental plan options including PPO and DHMO
- Strong employer group presence
- Digital tools for claims and provider search
- Bundled discount options with medical coverage
Pricing Structure:
- Premiums vary by plan type and region
Subscribili helps dental practices run membership plans with automated billing, member management, and practice-branded enrollment portals. Patients at participating practices can join these plans for predictable pricing on preventive and restorative care.
Key Features:
- Practice-branded plan signup pages
- Automated recurring billing
- Customizable plan structures set by each practice
- Patient communication tools
- Member management portal
Plan Forward supports dental membership plans offered by dental offices, allowing for online enrollment and automatic renewals for patients seeking alternatives to traditional insurance at their preferred practice.
Key Features:
- Online enrollment and automatic billing
- Plan details showing included services and discounts
- Customer support runs through your dental office
- Membership management for patients
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a dental membership plan and traditional dental insurance?
Dental membership plans are not insurance products. Members pay periodic fees for access to discounts on specified dental services at participating practices. There are no claims to file, no annual maximums, and no waiting periods. Traditional insurance involves premiums, deductibles, coverage percentages, and annual benefit limits. Insurance requires claims processing and adjudication, which can result in delays or denials. Membership plans offer immediate coverage with transparent, predictable pricing.
Are dental membership plans legally compliant in all states?
Yes, when properly administered. Dental membership plans operate as discount medical plan organizations (DMPOs) and must comply with state-specific regulations. Clerri operates as a discount medical plan operator with built-in compliance handling across all 50 states, including DMPO, Knox-Keene, HIPAA, and PCI requirements. This means patients can trust that plans meet legal standards without needing to research regulations themselves.
Can I use a dental membership plan if I already have dental insurance?
Yes. Membership plans can supplement existing insurance coverage. Patients might use their insurance benefits for preventive care and basic procedures, then use membership discounts for services that exceed annual maximums, require waiting periods, or fall outside insurance coverage like cosmetic dentistry. However, patients cannot apply both insurance benefits and membership discounts to the same procedure.
How do I find a dentist that offers Clerri membership plans?
Clerri membership plans are offered through 5,000+ independent practices and 200+ group practices nationwide. To find a participating dentist, ask your current dental office if they offer a Clerri-powered membership plan, or explore practices in your area that advertise in-office membership programs. Many practices promote their membership options on their websites and in their offices. View Clerri's customer stories to see examples of practices offering these plans.
