Dental insurance is one of the most practical, affordable coverages you can add — a couple of cleanings a year usually pays for the plan by itself. Two of the strongest names for individual and family dental coverage are Cigna and Delta Dental, and both share a big advantage people love: your preventive care is covered from day one. Let’s break down what that really means, where the fine print matters, and how to choose.
What’s covered from day one
Here’s the part that makes both plans attractive: preventive and diagnostic care has no waiting period on either carrier. The day your plan is effective, you’re covered for:
- Routine cleanings
- Oral exams
- Routine X-rays
Delta Dental PPO plans cover preventive services (cleanings, exams, X-rays) at 100% with no waiting period, and Cigna confirms that waiting periods do not apply to covered preventive and diagnostic services. So if your main goal is to stay on top of checkups and cleanings, you’re covered right away with either one.
Bottom line: For cleanings, exams, and X-rays — the care most people use most often — both Cigna and Delta cover you from day one. No waiting.
Waiting periods on bigger work — and how to skip them
Now the honest part, because this is where people get surprised if no one tells them. While preventive care starts immediately, basic and major work often has a waiting period on standard PPO plans:
- Basic work (fillings, simple extractions) — often around a 6-month wait
- Major work (crowns, root canals, dentures, implants) — often around a 12-month wait
This is standard across the dental industry, not unique to these carriers. But here’s the good news — there are three ways to get major work covered faster:
1. The prior-coverage waiver. Both Cigna and Delta can waive the major-work waiting period if you had comparable dental coverage that ended recently (generally within about 63 days) and you declare it on your application. If you’re switching from another dental plan, this is huge — bring proof and you may skip the wait entirely.
2. DHMO / prepaid plans. Delta’s DeltaCare USA (a dental-HMO-style plan) has no waiting periods at all — you use your benefits right away by visiting an in-network dentist and paying set copays. Great if you need work done soon.
3. No-wait plan designs. Certain plans are built specifically to cover major work sooner. We can point you to the options that fit if you know you have a crown or other major work coming.
The key move: if you need major work soon, tell us before you enroll. Choosing the wrong plan means waiting a year; choosing the right one (or using the waiver) can mean coverage right away. This is exactly where an agent saves you money.
Cigna Dental at a glance
Cigna offers a range of individual dental plans, from a preventive-focused option up to plans with meaningful restorative coverage. Highlights:
- Preventive care covered from day one (no waiting period)
- Multiple plan tiers — pick more or less restorative coverage based on your needs
- Waiting periods on basic/major work may be waived with 12+ months of prior comparable coverage (with no major gap)
- Large national network of dentists
Compare Cigna dental plans
See Cigna’s individual and family dental plans and enroll online in minutes.
Delta Dental at a glance
Delta Dental is one of the largest dental networks in the country, with strong individual and family options in California:
- 100% preventive coverage with no waiting period on PPO plans
- Keep your own dentist on PPO plans, or use set copays with a DeltaCare USA plan
- DeltaCare USA plans have no waiting periods on any services
- Flexible start dates and year-round enrollment
- Very large dentist network nationwide
Compare Delta Dental plans
Get a Delta Dental quote and choose the plan that fits your family.
Which one is right for you?
Both are excellent — the “best” one depends on your situation:
- Just want cleanings and checkups covered? Either carrier’s preventive-focused plan works, from day one.
- Switching from another dental plan? Bring proof of prior coverage — you may waive the waiting period on major work with either carrier.
- Need major work soon and no prior coverage? A DeltaCare USA (no-wait) plan or a no-wait plan design may be your best path.
- Want to keep your current dentist? A PPO plan (Cigna or Delta) lets you see any licensed dentist, with the best savings in-network.
Not sure which fits? That’s what we’re here for. As an independent agency, we’ll compare both and match you to the plan that covers what you actually need — without the guesswork.
Not sure which dental plan to pick?
Tell us what you need — we’ll compare Cigna and Delta and find your best fit. Free, no pressure.
