Compare Anthem & Nationwide dental
Shop PPO dental plans, check waiting periods, and see options beyond just these two brands.
Choose a plan for how you actually use the dentist. This side-by-side guide compares Anthem Dental and Nationwide® Dental on networks, preventive vs. major coverage, orthodontics, waiting periods, and total cost of care. We’ll walk through the trade-offs between richer benefits and lower premiums, and show you how to verify your dentist before enrolling so you don’t overpay for features you’ll never use.
If your family’s medical coverage and providers are already with Anthem, pairing an Anthem dental PPO can make it easier to manage logins and bills while tapping into a familiar network. Anthem plans commonly cover preventive services at or near 100% in-network, with waiting periods and coinsurance on basic and major work depending on tier. This can be a good fit when your preferred dentist is firmly in Anthem’s dental network.
Nationwide dental products generally lean on national PPO networks, which can be helpful if your household is spread across states, you travel often, or students move between campus and home. Many designs pair high-value preventive coverage with competitive annual maximums and orthodontic benefits on select tiers. Nationwide can be attractive when nationwide access matters more than staying inside a single medical ecosystem.
With either carrier, dig into the details before major work: confirm waiting periods, how major services like crowns, root canals, implants, and dentures are handled, and whether composite fillings on back teeth are paid differently than amalgam. Also look for missing-tooth clauses and how periodontal maintenance is classified (preventive vs. basic).
If you expect implants, periodontal work, or orthodontics in the next 12–24 months, or you want higher annual maximums or no-waiting-period options, it pays to compare several carriers and tiers. We’ll line up Anthem, Nationwide, and other PPO designs on identical specs so you can see who really performs best for your treatment plan and dentist list.
Plan features vary by state, product line, and tier. Always confirm your summary of benefits and provider search before you enroll.
| Category | Anthem Dental | Nationwide Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Network strength | Often strong where Anthem has a large medical footprint; robust regional PPO/EPO access. | Broad national PPO reach that can work well for travelers and multi-state families. |
| Preventive care | Cleanings, exams, X-rays frequently covered at or near 100% in-network with no waiting period. | Similar emphasis on 100% in-network preventive care on many PPO tiers. |
| Basic services | Fillings and simple extractions often 60–80% after deductible and any waiting period. | Comparable 60–80% coinsurance after deductible on many plans, subject to waiting rules. |
| Major services | Crowns, root canals, dentures, and sometimes implants around 40–60% after a waiting period. | Similar 40–60% benefit levels on eligible tiers, often after 6–12 month waiting periods. |
| Orthodontics | Available on select tiers, often child-only with a separate lifetime maximum. | Available on select tiers; usually child-only with capped lifetime benefits. |
| Annual maximums | Commonly in the $1,000–$2,500+ range depending on plan design. | Similar range; some products emphasize higher annual maximums at higher premiums. |
| Waiting periods | Preventive often day one; basic/major may have 3–12 month waits unless waived for prior coverage. | Preventive often day one; basic/major/ortho may have waiting periods, with some waiver rules. |
| Best for | Households already tied into Anthem providers and portals; strong local medical+dental footprint. | Members who prioritize national PPO flexibility across states and providers. |
To compare Anthem vs Nationwide fairly, match annual maximum, deductible, coinsurance, waiting periods, and network usage.
| Factor | How it moves your rate | Pro tip |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maximum | Higher annual max usually means a higher premium. | Pick a max that lines up with planned major work in the next 12–24 months, not an arbitrary number. |
| Waiting period rules | No-wait or reduced-wait designs typically cost more. | Share credible prior dental coverage dates—some plans waive or shorten waits for basic/major services. |
| Network usage | Using out-of-network dentists raises your share of costs. | Search your dentist by exact plan name, then design around the network you’ll actually use. |
| Ortho & implants | Plans that cover orthodontia or implants usually price higher. | Only pay for ortho/implant coverage if someone in the household will likely use it soon. |
| Deductible & coinsurance | Lower out-of-pocket at the dentist = higher premium. | Balance your deductible and coinsurance with how often you go beyond routine cleanings. |
Both Anthem and Nationwide offer dental plans in many states, but plan names, networks, and covered services differ by ZIP code. Before you enroll, search:
For households split between cities or states, you may prioritize national PPO breadth or even mix carriers and plan tiers so each person gets the network that fits their dentist best.
Tell us your ZIP, preferred dentists, and whether you expect major work, implants, or orthodontics. We’ll compare Anthem and Nationwide dental alongside other PPO carriers on the same specs (annual max, deductible, coinsurance, waiting periods) so you see true total cost—not just the monthly premium.
It depends on your ZIP code, plan tier, and whether you stay in-network. Anthem may price best where its networks are strongest; Nationwide may win when broad PPO access is the priority. The only way to know is to compare them on identical benefit levels.
Some designs waive or shorten waiting periods for basic/major services if you show proof of continuous prior dental coverage. Others offer no-waiting-period options with higher premiums. Share your prior coverage dates when you request quotes so we can flag plans with waiver rules.
Coverage varies by carrier and tier. Many plans include implants and periodontal care on higher tiers, but adult orthodontia is less common and usually capped by a lifetime maximum. Always read the summary of benefits and orthodontic rider before enrolling.
Use each carrier’s provider search and confirm by the exact plan name, not just “Anthem” or “Nationwide.” Then call the office to confirm they still accept that plan, since network rosters and office systems can lag behind real-time changes.
Licensed insurance producer (NPN 16944666). Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency. Availability, networks, waiting periods, and benefits vary by carrier, state, and plan tier. Brand names belong to their owners; use does not imply endorsement. Always review official policy forms and summaries of benefits for exact terms and costs.
