You are here: American University Human Resources Benefits Health & Welfare Dental

Back to top

Dental Coverage

AU offers full-time faculty and staff a choice between two dental plans through Delta Dental, Basic Dental and Comprehensive Dental.

Plans

Delta Dental Basic

The Basic Plan covers screenings, cleanings, fillings, periodontics, and is available for a lower monthly cost. For the Basic Plan, you must choose a dentist who is in the Delta Dental PPO network.

Delta Dental Comprehensive

The Comprehensive Plan helps you pay for most necessary dental services and supplies, including orthodontia. PPO, Premier®, and out-of-network dentists are covered in the Comprehensive Plan.

Cost for dental coverage

AU contributes to the cost of your dental coverage: 25% for individual and 20% for individual +1 and family coverage. Your cost for dental coverage is deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis.

2023 Cost for Coverage

2020 Cost for dental coverage
Employee Monthly Cost Delta Dental Basic Delta Dental Comprehensive

Individual

$19.76

$24.86

Individual + 1

$42.15

$53.05
Family $61.10 $76.89

2022 Cost for Coverage

2020 Cost for dental coverage
Employee Monthly Cost Delta Dental Basic Delta Dental Comprehensive

Individual

$22.95

$28.88

Individual + 1

$48.96

$61.62
Family $70.97 $89.30
Compare Delta Dental basic and comprehensive plans
  Delta Dental Basic* Delta Dental Comprehensive**
  PPO Dentist Delta Dental Premier & Non-PPO Dentists PPO Dentists Delta Dental Premier & Non-PPO Dentists

*Basic Plan: Fees are based on PPO fees for PPO dentists. Services by Premier or non-PPO dentists are not covered.
**Comprehensive Plan: Reimbursement is based on PPO contracted fees for PPO dentists, PPO contracted fees for Premier dentists, and PPO contracted fees for non-PPO dentists.
†Fluoride treatment is covered only for children up to age 19.
Limitation or waiting periods may apply for some benefits; some services may be excluded from your plan. Reimbursement is based on Delta Dental maximum contract allowances and not necessarily each dentist's submitted fees.

Deductible

Waived for diagnostic, preventive and orthodontics

$50 individual

$150 family

 Not applicable

$50 individual

$150 family

$50 individual

$150 family

Plan maximum

$1,000 per person
calendar maximum

 Not applicable

$1,500 per person
calendar maximum

$1,000 per person
orthodontic lifetime maximum

$1,500 per person
calendar maximum

$1,000 per person
orthodontic lifetime maximum

Diagnostic and preventive services

Oral exams, cleanings, x-rays, and sealants

100% of allowed benefit

No deductible

 Not covered

100% of allowed benefit

No deductible

100% of allowed benefit

No deductible

Basic services†

Fillings and posterior composites

50% of allowed benefit after deductible

Not covered

 90% of allowed benefit after deductible

80% of allowed benefit after deductible

Endodontics

Root canals

 50% of allowed benefit after deductible Not covered 90% of allowed benefit after deductible 80% of allowed benefit after deductible

Periodontics

Gum treatment

 50% of allowed benefit after deductible Not covered

60% of allowed benefit after deductible

 50% of allowed benefit after deductible

Oral surgery

Incisions, excisions and surgical removal of tooth

Not covered

 Not covered 90% of allowed benefit after deductible 80% of allowed benefit after deductible

Prosthodontics

Bridges, dentures and implants

 Not covered

Not covered

 60% of allowed benefit after deductible

50% of allowed benefit after deductible

Orthodontic services

Adults and children

Not covered

 Not covered 50% of allowed benefit after deductible 50% of allowed benefit after deductible

The Basic Plan requires that you choose a PPO network dentist. Please contact your dentist's office to confirm that they are a participating Delta Dental PPO provider. 

The Comprehensive Plan lets you select any licensed dentist, but greater cost savings are realized when you select a dentist who participates in the Delta Dental PPO or Premier network. Please contact your dentist's office to confirm that they are a participating Delta Dental PPO, Premier, or non-participating provider. 

To find a participating dentist, check your benefits, review the plan, or print dental ID cards online, visit www.deltadentalins.com. If you have questions about your dental benefits, contact Delta Dental at 800-932-0783.

If your dental care will be extensive, ask your dentist to complete and submit a claim form to Delta Dental for a predetermination of benefits. Delta Dental will advise you exactly what procedures are covered, the amount that will be paid toward the treatment, and your financial responsibility.

CareFirst and Kaiser medical also provide discount dental benefits to participating members.

CareFirst

Discount dental benefits are available through CareFirst’s BlueChoice network. The dental plan is administered by The Dental Network and provides discounts of 20% to 40%.

To find a participating provider, visit www.carefirst.com.

Kaiser

Kaiser's discount dental benefits are administered by Dominion Dental Services and provide preventive care services after a $30 copay and other services according to a fee schedule.

For an up-to-date list of dental providers and the fee schedule for the $30 preventive plan, visit Dominion Dental. 

American University makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information that appears on the benefits site. However, if there are discrepancies between the information presented and the legal documents governing a plan or program (the "plan documents"), the plan documents will always govern. American University reserves the right to amend or terminate any benefit plan at its sole discretion at any time, for any reason.