Beam Dental Insurance is a modern dental benefits provider that combines traditional dental coverage with innovative technology to improve oral health outcomes. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Beam focuses on integrating dental hygiene behavior into its insurance pricing model. This approach encourages better dental habits among members by using a connected electric toothbrush and a mobile app that tracks brushing routines. Beam offers dental insurance plans primarily for small to medium-sized businesses, aiming to make dental care more accessible, affordable, and personalized. Their unique model rewards good oral hygiene, which helps reduce claims and overall costs, benefiting both employers and employees.
Beam Dental Insurance Plan Types
Beam Dental offers a range of dental insurance plans designed to fit different group sizes and needs, from as few as two employees to larger groups. The plans cover preventive, basic, and major dental services, as well as orthodontics for children. Key plan types include:
Preventive and Diagnostic Care Plans: Cover routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants for children, and basic x-rays, typically at 100% coverage with no out-of-pocket costs.
Basic Services Plans: Cover minor restorative procedures such as fillings, root canals, extractions, and treatment for gum disease (periodontics) at about 80% coinsurance after deductible.
Major Services Plans: Include coverage for crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants, usually covered at 50% coinsurance.
Orthodontic Coverage: Available for children up to age 19, covering braces and related treatments at 50% coinsurance with a lifetime maximum.
All plans come with no waiting periods for covered services and do not exclude coverage for prior missing teeth, which is uncommon in many dental insurance policies.
Beam Dental Insurance Advantages
Beam Dental Insurance offers several advantages that distinguish it from traditional dental insurance providers:
Technology Integration: Members receive a complimentary connected electric toothbrush and replacement heads, which sync with Beam’s app to monitor brushing habits and encourage better oral hygiene.
Personalized Pricing: Beam uses data from members’ dental hygiene behavior, employer group characteristics, and other factors to offer more accurate and often lower premiums, especially beneficial for small businesses lacking historical claims data.
No Waiting Periods: Most covered services are available immediately upon plan start, allowing members to access preventive and other treatments without delay.
Comprehensive Coverage: Beam covers a wide range of dental procedures, including treatment for gum inflammation and gum disease, which are critical for maintaining oral health and preventing more serious dental issues.
Large Nationwide Network: Members have access to over 500,000 dental providers across the U.S., making it easy to find in-network dentists through Beam’s mobile app or website.
User-Friendly Digital Tools: Digital ID cards, online cost estimators, and easy claims management streamline the member experience.
Beam Dental Insurance Coverage
Beam Dental plans cover a broad spectrum of dental services categorized as follows:
Preventive & Diagnostic Care: Includes routine exams, cleanings (up to two per year), fluoride treatments, sealants for children, and diagnostic x-rays. These services are fully covered at 100%, with no deductible required.
Basic Services: Encompass fillings, root canals, gum disease treatment (periodontics), minor oral surgeries, and emergency palliative care. These are covered at 80% coinsurance after the deductible.
Major Services: Include crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants, covered at 50% coinsurance. Beam also covers follow-up work for prior extractions, which many insurers exclude.
Orthodontics: Child orthodontic treatment such as braces is covered at 50% coinsurance with a lifetime maximum benefit.
Beam’s coverage emphasizes preventive care to reduce the risk of gum inflammation and gum disease, which are common causes of tooth loss and other oral health complications. By covering preventive services fully and encouraging good hygiene through their smart toothbrush program, Beam aims to keep members’ gums and teeth healthy.
Beam Dental Insurance Related Costs
Understanding costs is essential for members considering Beam Dental Insurance:
Deductibles: Beam plans typically have an annual deductible of $50 per individual or $150 per family, waived for preventive and diagnostic services.
Coinsurance: After the deductible, basic services are covered at 80%, major services at 50%, and orthodontics at 50% coinsurance.
Annual Maximum: The annual maximum benefit for diagnostic, preventive, basic, and major services is generally $1,500 per year. Orthodontics has a lifetime maximum of $1,500.
Out-of-Pocket Costs: Members pay nothing for preventive care but share costs for other treatments. For example, a root canal costing $1,000 might require a member to pay a $50 deductible plus 20% of the remaining cost, totaling around $240 out-of-pocket. A dental crown costing $800 with deductible met would cost the member $400 after 50% coinsurance.
Beam’s transparent cost estimator tool helps members anticipate expenses before treatment, improving financial planning and decision-making.
Beam Dental Insurance Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Includes a free connected electric toothbrush to encourage better dental hygiene. | Not available in all states (excludes CT, HI, MA, ME, MT, NC, NH, RI, and Puerto Rico). |
| Personalized pricing based on dental hygiene behavior and employer data, often leading to competitive premiums. | Limited orthodontic coverage only for children up to age 19. |
| No waiting periods for covered services, enabling immediate access to care. | Some major procedures have higher coinsurance (50%), which may result in higher out-of-pocket costs. |
| Large nationwide network with easy-to-use digital tools and mobile app. | May not cover all cosmetic procedures or elective treatments. |
| Covers follow-up work for prior extractions, unlike many traditional plans. | Requires active participation in Beam Perks program (toothbrush usage) for best pricing and benefits. |
Conclusion
Beam Dental Insurance offers a fresh, technology-driven approach to dental coverage that supports healthier habits and provides comprehensive benefits. By focusing on preventive care and integrating smart tools, Beam helps reduce common dental problems such as gum inflammation and gum disease, ultimately improving members’ oral health and lowering costs. Its plans are especially suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for affordable, flexible dental insurance with modern conveniences and strong coverage options.
