Dental Insurance
Individual and family dental coverage for South Carolina
Why it matters
Dental coverage pays for itself
Protects against big bills
A single crown or root canal can cost more than a year of dental premiums. One major procedure often pays the policy back many times over.
Preventive care at 100%
Most plans cover cleanings, exams, and X-rays in full. That's the routine care that catches problems before they turn expensive.
Better health outcomes
Insured patients visit the dentist more often and catch issues earlier, which means better long-term oral health and fewer expensive surprises.
PPO: the most popular pick
PPO plans offer the most flexibility: see any dentist you choose, with lower out-of-pocket costs when you stay in network. Plans typically follow the 100-80-50 coverage structure with an annual maximum benefit. You pay a monthly premium, a small deductible, and then your share based on service type. PPO is the most popular pick for SC families who want to keep their dentist.
- See any dentist, with lower cost in-network
- 100/80/50 coverage structure
- Annual maximum benefit applies
DHMO: the lowest cost
DHMO plans are the most affordable dental option. You pick a primary care dentist from the plan's network who coordinates your care. There are no annual deductibles or maximums, and copays are typically very low. The trade-off is flexibility: you have to use in-network providers and get referrals for specialists. It's a solid fit for budget-conscious individuals and families.
- Lowest monthly premiums
- No deductible, no annual maximum
- In-network dentist required
Indemnity: maximum provider freedom
Indemnity (fee-for-service) plans give you the most provider freedom: any licensed dentist, with no network restrictions. The plan reimburses a set percentage based on a fee schedule. Premiums are higher than DHMO or PPO, but if you have a trusted dentist and don't want to worry about network status, indemnity is exactly that.
- Any licensed dentist, with no network restrictions
- Percentage reimbursement by fee schedule
- Highest premiums of the three
Self-service option · GAC
Quote and enroll a dental plan yourself
GAC's online quoting tool lets you compare individual and family dental plans, view monthly premiums, and enroll directly using our agent ID. If you'd rather have us pre-screen waiting periods, network status, and annual maximums for you, just say the word — the comparison is free.
- PPO, DHMO, and indemnity plans on one screen
- Waiting periods and annual maximums shown up front
- Coverage often effective the first of the next month
Opens GAC's enrollment portal in a new tab. The link is tied to our agent attribution, so we stay your broker of record at no extra cost.
How coverage works
The 100-80-50 structure
| Plan Pays | Examples | |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive care | 100% | Cleanings, exams, bitewing X-rays, fluoride, sealants |
| Basic procedures | 80% | Fillings, simple extractions, front-tooth root canals, gum treatment |
| Major procedures | 50% | Crowns, bridges, dentures, back-tooth root canals, oral surgery |
| Orthodontics | Add-on | Braces and clear aligners, with a separate lifetime max if included |
| Cosmetic | Not covered | Whitening and purely cosmetic work are excluded |
Just got dental insurance and I'm so excited because I need some dental work done. Thank you so much, Kearah, for helping me find the right plan and being kind and understanding through the whole process.
Shelby B.
Dental client · South Carolina
Related coverage
Round out your benefits
Vision Insurance
Affordable monthly coverage for exams, frames, lenses, and contacts.
Learn moreSupplemental Insurance
Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans that fill coverage gaps.
Learn moreEmployee Benefits
Group dental and vision packages for SC small and mid-size employers.
Learn more
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Real people. Real guidance. Real peace of mind.
I can't say enough nice things about Will Murdock and the hours he's spent helping me find the best plan. He sat on hold listening to elevator music for hours getting all the kinks worked out with my Medicare and Medicaid.
Stacey R.
Medicare client · South Carolina
I was looking for new health insurance and ended up with dental and vision too. Will offered different plans that worked for my budget. Finding insurance isn't always easy, but they made it simple.
Brittany P.
Individual & supplemental plan member · South Carolina
Sherri is incredible. In the 12 years I've handled our company's insurance, we were only ever offered the same two paths. She gave us options no previous agent had ever mentioned, worked directly with each employee, and answered every question.
Jill C.
Group benefits decision-maker · South Carolina
Kearah saved my sanity. She helped me navigate a very uncertain period of getting solid coverage — she was on every call with me and even did footwork on my behalf. I'll be calling her for life insurance next.
ILONA
Health & life client · South Carolina
Brandon is a wealth of information. He's personable, easy to talk to, and made the crazy world of Medicare make sense. He's my recommendation for friends and family getting ready to become eligible.
Matt L.
New Medicare enrollee · South Carolina
Sherri reached out to the Chamber to discuss our health plan and found us a plan with a wider range of benefits. Her knowledge of the health insurance market is remarkable, and her customer service is exceptional.
Irmo Chamber of Commerce
Member organisation · Irmo, SC
Brandon is super compassionate with older folks. He guided my mom through her Medicare open enrollment so smoothly. Thanks, Brandon.
Melissa F.
Family caregiver · South Carolina
As a self-employed small business owner, I'd always carried high deductibles and minimal coverage to make insurance work. Sherri found my family a plan with real coverage and was patient with every question I had.
Victoria A.
Self-employed plan member · South Carolina
The owner and employees were extremely knowledgeable in finding us insurance options. Sherri explained everything and answered every question. Kristian was professional and never made me feel like a burden — he was happy to help.
Allison H.
Long-time client · South Carolina
Andrew is amazing at serving his clients. He cares for them from the beginning to the end of the process. I'd recommend him to anyone looking to add health or life insurance.
Joy H.
Health & life client · South Carolina
Ancillary carriers
Our Brokerage Partners
Companion Life
Sun Life
Humana
Allstate
MetLife
Mutual of Omaha
Voya
Cigna
Unum
Ameritas
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not listed here? Get in touch.
Dental insurance in South Carolina is generally one of the more affordable lines of coverage, and the cost depends on plan type, coverage level, and whether you need individual or family coverage. DHMO plans tend to be the least expensive, while PPO and indemnity plans cost more but offer greater flexibility in choosing dentists. We compare plans from multiple carriers so you can pick the best value for your situation.
Most dental plans use a 100-80-50 structure: 100% coverage for preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays), 80% for basic procedures (fillings, extractions, root canals), and 50% for major procedures (crowns, bridges, dentures). Orthodontic coverage (braces) is sometimes included as an add-on. Plans set an annual maximum benefit and may include waiting periods for basic and major services — those numbers vary widely, so they're worth checking before you enroll.
Group dental insurance is offered through an employer and typically provides better coverage at lower cost because the risk is spread across many employees. Individual dental insurance is purchased on your own and tends to have higher premiums, lower annual maximums, and longer waiting periods. However, individual plans are the best option if your employer does not offer dental benefits or if you are self-employed, retired, or between jobs.
Most individual dental plans include waiting periods before certain services are covered. Preventive care (cleanings and exams) is typically covered immediately or after a short waiting period. Basic procedures like fillings may have a 3 to 6-month waiting period, and major procedures like crowns or dentures often require a 12-month wait. Some plans offer reduced or no waiting periods at a higher premium. We help you find plans that fit your timeline.
Get a Free Dental Insurance Quote
We compare dental plans from multiple carriers to find the right coverage for your needs.