Dental Coverage Options

Caring for your teeth and keeping your smile healthy can help ensure the rest of your body stays healthy as well. All GW faculty and staff are eligible to choose from three voluntary dental plan options.

The GW dental plans are "standalone" plans, so you can enroll in dental coverage whether or not you have medical coverage through GW.

Take a look at the table below to evaluate which of the PPO options may be right for you.

Review 2024 contribution rates for dental coverage.

Aetna Dental PPO Plans — High and Low Options

GW offers a choice of three voluntary dental plans through Aetna: High PPO, Low PPO and DMO. As with any PPO plan, the Aetna Dental PPO plans are designed to provide you with a greater level of coverage for using service providers within the Aetna network. Some coverage is available for providers outside the Aetna network; however, any services you receive from an out-of-network provider will be paid only at the “Reasonable and Customary” amount.

The High Option provides you with a greater level of coverage, and therefore carries a higher premium. The Low Option provides you with preventive and basic coverage and has a lower premium. Take a look at the table below to evaluate which of the PPO options may be right for you.

Percentages in the accompanying chart represent the percentages of the negotiated amounts (in-network) and Reasonable and Customary amounts (out-of-network) covered by the plan.

	High Option Dental PPO		Low Option Dental PPO
	In-Network	Out-of-Network	In-Network	Out-of-Network
Annual Deductible (Individual)	$50	$50	$50	$50
Annual Deductible (per Family)	$50 (max 3 per family)	$50 (max 3 per family)	$50 (max 3 per family)	$50 (max 3 per family)
Annual Maximum Coverage* (per person per year combined in- and out-of-network)	$1,500	$1,500	$1,000	$1,000
Preventive Care** oral examinations, cleanings, x-rays, etc.	100%	100%	100%	100%
Basic Care** silver/composite fillings, root canals, stainless steel crowns, some extractions, some oral surgery, general anesthesia, etc.	90%	80%	80%	70%
Major Care** inlays, onlays, crowns, full and partial dentures, denture repairs, pontics, implants***, core build-up, etc.	50%	50%	Not Covered	Not Covered
Orthodontia (Adult and Children combined in- and out-of-network)	50% (lifetime max $1,500)	50% (lifetime max $1,500)	Not Covered	Not Covered

* Under the Aetna High PPO or Aetna Low PPO plans, preventive care services do not apply toward your annual maximum.
** White fillings eligible on anterior teeth only. Additionally, the services shown are a partial list. For a complete list, see your Dental Plan Benefits Summary, available at hr.gwu.edu/benefits.
*** Implants are covered under the DMO and Aetna High PPO only.

Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO)

GW also offers the Aetna DMO Plan, which provides dental benefits in a similar manner to an HMO medical plan. You must elect a Primary Care Dentist (PCD) from within the Aetna network to coordinate all of your dental care. Office visits require a $5 copay.

To be effective on the first of the month, PCD selections must be received by Aetna by the 15th of the month prior. In order to schedule an appointment with your PCD, your name must appear on his or her monthly roster.

If a dental specialist is needed, your PCD will refer you to a specialist in the DMO network. Orthodontic services are available for both adults and children and require a $2,300 copay.

The DMO does not provide coverage outside of the Aetna network. There is no deductible to meet under the DMO, nor is there an annual maximum coverage amount.

Dental implant coverage is also available under the DMO Plan. View the Plan Summary document on the Benefits website for more details.