Dental Insurance for Self-Employed and Freelancers

When you work for yourself, dental insurance is one of many benefits you have to arrange on your own. Unlike employees who often get dental coverage through their employer at a subsidized rate, self-employed workers, freelancers, and gig workers need to find and pay for dental coverage independently. The good news is that you have several options, and some come with tax advantages that are only available to the self-employed.

This article walks through the dental coverage options available to self-employed individuals, compares costs, and explains the tax benefits that can make dental insurance more affordable when you are your own boss.

Dental Coverage Options for the Self-Employed

As a self-employed individual, you do not have access to employer-sponsored dental plans. But you have multiple pathways to get coverage. Here are your main options:

• ACA marketplace dental plans: Available through Healthcare.gov or your state exchange. Standalone dental plans are sold separately from health insurance plans.
• Standalone dental insurance: Purchased directly from a private insurance company. Available year-round from most major insurers.
• Association or group dental plans: Some professional organizations and freelancer groups offer dental plans to their members at group rates.
• Dental discount plans: Not insurance, but a membership that gives you discounted rates at participating dentists.
• Spouse's employer plan: If your spouse has access to employer-sponsored dental coverage, you may be able to join their plan. This is often the most affordable option.

Each option has different costs, benefits, and trade-offs. The right choice depends on your dental needs, budget, and tax situation.

Cost Comparison: What Self-Employed Dental Plans Cost

Without an employer subsidy, you pay the full premium for dental insurance. Here is what you can expect to pay for different plan types. For more detail on pricing, see our complete breakdown of dental insurance costs in 2026.

• DHMO plans: $15 to $30 per month ($180 to $360 per year). Lowest premiums but limited network flexibility.
• PPO plans: $30 to $60 per month ($360 to $720 per year). Balance of cost and provider flexibility.
• Indemnity plans: $40 to $70 per month ($480 to $840 per year). Most flexibility but highest cost.
• Dental discount plans: $80 to $200 per year. Not insurance, but provides discounts of 10% to 60%.
• Marketplace standalone dental: $20 to $60 per month. Available in most states through Healthcare.gov.

For a family, multiply the individual premium by roughly 2.5 to 3 times to estimate the cost. Family dental plans for the self-employed typically run $50 to $150 per month depending on the plan type.

Tax Deductions for Self-Employed Dental Insurance

One of the biggest financial advantages of being self-employed is the ability to deduct dental insurance premiums on your taxes. This deduction can significantly reduce the effective cost of your coverage.

How the deduction works: Self-employed individuals can deduct the cost of dental insurance premiums for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents. This is an above-the-line deduction, which means you can take it even if you do not itemize deductions. You report it on Schedule 1 of your Form 1040.

There are a few rules to be aware of:

• The deduction cannot exceed your net self-employment income for the year.
• You cannot take this deduction if you were eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored plan (including through a spouse's employer) during the same months.
• The plan must be established under your business. For sole proprietors, this means the plan is in your name.
• This deduction is for the premium only, not for out-of-pocket dental expenses. Those may be deductible separately if you itemize and exceed the 7.5% of AGI threshold.

To put this in practical terms, if you pay $50 per month ($600 per year) for dental insurance and you are in the 24% federal tax bracket, the deduction saves you $144 per year in federal taxes. That effectively reduces your dental insurance cost to $456 per year, or about $38 per month.

Using an HSA or FSA for Dental Expenses

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are tax-advantaged tools that can help you pay for dental expenses more efficiently. For self-employed individuals, HSAs are particularly powerful.

Health Savings Account (HSA): To contribute to an HSA, you need a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Self-employed individuals can open and fund their own HSA. Here is what makes HSAs attractive for dental expenses:

• Contributions are tax-deductible (above-the-line deduction for the self-employed).
• Money grows tax-free in the account.
• Withdrawals for qualified dental expenses are tax-free.
• The 2026 contribution limit is $4,300 for individual coverage ($8,600 for family coverage).
• Funds roll over year to year, so you can save for larger dental expenses.

Qualified dental expenses you can pay with HSA funds include cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, X-rays, orthodontics, and most other dental procedures. Dental insurance premiums generally cannot be paid with HSA funds unless you are receiving COBRA coverage or unemployment benefits.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): FSAs are typically offered through employers, so most sole proprietors do not have access to them. However, if you own an S-corporation or C-corporation with employees, you may be able to offer an FSA. FSA funds must be used within the plan year (with some limited carryover provisions), unlike HSA funds which roll over indefinitely.

Choosing Between Options: A Decision Framework

With several options to choose from, it helps to think about your specific situation. For a detailed cost-benefit analysis, see our article on whether dental insurance is worth it. Here is a decision framework to help you narrow down your choice:

• If you want the lowest cost and have healthy teeth: A dental discount plan ($80 to $200/year) or a DHMO plan ($15 to $30/month) may be your best fit. You get basic savings on preventive care without a large premium.
• If you want flexibility to see any dentist: A PPO plan ($30 to $60/month) gives you the ability to see both in-network and out-of-network providers. You pay more but get more choice.
• If you expect to need major dental work: Look for a plan with a higher annual maximum ($2,000 or more) and shorter waiting periods for major services. A PPO or indemnity plan is likely the best fit.
• If you want to maximize tax savings: Pair a dental insurance plan (deductible premiums) with an HSA (tax-free dental expenses). You get a tax break on both the insurance and the out-of-pocket costs.
• If your spouse has employer coverage: Joining your spouse's group dental plan is almost always the most cost-effective option, since the employer subsidizes a portion of the premium.

Tips for Freelancers and Gig Workers

Freelancers and gig workers face unique challenges when it comes to dental coverage. Income can be unpredictable, and benefits are entirely self-funded. Here are some practical tips:

1. Budget for dental as a business expense: Since the premium is tax-deductible, treat dental insurance as a regular business cost and include it in your monthly budget. Set aside money each month specifically for this purpose.
2. Do not skip preventive care: Regular cleanings and exams catch problems when they are small and inexpensive to fix. Skipping preventive visits to save money now often leads to larger, more costly problems later. Most plans cover two cleanings per year at 100%.
3. Build a dental savings fund with your HSA: If you have an HDHP, contribute to your HSA consistently. Over time, this creates a tax-advantaged fund that can cover unexpected dental expenses. Unlike FSAs, HSA funds never expire.
4. Check association plans: Professional organizations, industry groups, and freelancer unions sometimes offer group dental rates. These can be significantly cheaper than individual plans. Even if you do not currently belong to an association, the savings on dental insurance may justify the membership fee.
5. Compare total cost, not just premium: When evaluating plans, look at the deductible, annual maximum, coverage percentages, and waiting periods. A cheap plan with a low annual maximum may end up costing you more if you need significant dental work.

ACA Marketplace vs. Direct-Purchase Plans

Self-employed individuals can buy dental coverage through the ACA marketplace or directly from insurance companies. Here is how the two approaches compare:

• ACA marketplace: Enrollment is during the annual open enrollment period (or a special enrollment period). Plans are standardized into high and low coverage levels. No premium subsidies for standalone dental. Available in most states.
• Direct-purchase plans: Available year-round from many insurers. More variety in plan types and coverage levels. You can compare and enroll anytime. Prices and networks vary by insurer.

The coverage and costs are often similar. The main advantage of direct-purchase plans is that you can enroll anytime, while marketplace plans generally require you to wait for open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event. Both types are eligible for the self-employed health insurance premium deduction.

The Bottom Line

Self-employed individuals have access to the same dental plan types as anyone else, including PPO, DHMO, indemnity, and discount plans. The key differences are that you pay the full premium without an employer subsidy and you can deduct those premiums on your tax return.

The tax deduction for dental insurance premiums, combined with HSA contributions for dental expenses, can reduce your effective cost significantly. A self-employed person in the 24% tax bracket who pays $50 per month for dental insurance effectively pays about $38 per month after the deduction. To understand plan structures in more detail, see our guide on how dental insurance works.

Plans and coverage vary by location. Tax situations vary by individual. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute tax or insurance advice. Consult a licensed insurance agent for plan options and a tax professional for deduction questions specific to your situation.