Principal dental plans through your employer

Through an employer. Principal's page says to select the benefit if your company offers it in its benefits program, and that you can cover yourself, your spouse and your dependents to age 26. The premium is usually taken from your paycheck. Talk to your benefits administrator about enrollment dates and cost.

Principal says there is no waiting period for coverage when the benefit is purchased during your employer's annual benefits enrollment. That is a statement about that enrollment window. Other situations, such as a late enrollment, may differ, so confirm with your plan administrator and read the policy.

Your dentist, usually. Principal says the dentist will likely file the claim on your behalf and that this is the preferred method. If you file yourself, send the dentist's itemized statement and a copy of the front and back of your ID card. Out-of-network care may leave the filing to you.

Principal says you can see a specialist without a referral. Network status still affects your costs, so check whether the specialist is in your plan's network before you book. Ask the office to send a pretreatment estimate for larger work.

Its page says cosmetic procedures such as teeth bleaching and veneers, dental implants and orthodontia may not be covered, and that you should check your policy for specifics. Whether your plan covers any of them depends on the plan your employer chose, so read the schedule of benefits.

Principal names four: periodontal, cancer treatment oral health, second opinion and general anesthesia, all included with dental coverage according to its page. The page does not give the details. Ask your plan administrator what each program provides under your plan, and whether any requires pre-approval.

Principal's page says that if you visit an in-network dentist in the United States or Mexico, you pay a deductible and coinsurance and your dentist files the claim. A non-network dentist in either country costs more, and you may need to submit the claim. See our guide to dental treatment in Mexico before you travel.

Principal says its network includes more than 136,000 dentists nationwide. That is a national total and it does not tell you how many offices are near you. Search the provider directory under your own plan for your dentist and likely specialists, and confirm the network with the office.

You pay the rest. Principal says most dental policies cap how much is spent on your procedures each year, and if you reach the maximum you are responsible for any remaining costs. Ask your plan how much of the maximum you have used, and whether staging treatment across benefit years would help.

Principal's page says you can cover dependents to age 26 through an employer's plan. Your employer's plan documents set the exact rules, including when coverage ends. If a young adult is about to age off the plan, ask your administrator what options exist and when they must act.

Its page describes dental insurance as a benefit you select through your employer. Principal says you may buy coverage for yourself, your spouse and dependents to age 26, with the premium deducted from your paycheck. If your employer does not offer it, ask your benefits administrator about other options.

Principal says out-of-network services are generally more costly and that the plan typically covers a lesser share of the higher charges. It also says you may need to submit the claim yourself. Ask the office for a written estimate, and ask Principal what it would pay for that office before you book.