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Delta Dental of Washington: Lower Dental Costs with the Largest Direct Network

Delta Dental of Washington offers employers and brokers access to the largest direct dental network in the USi. When employers reevaluate benefit options, having in-network providers (providers participating in a benefit network) for their employees become a critical deciding factor. At Delta Dental of Washington, we believe a strong network isn't just about size, it's built with purpose. With over 70 years of experience, we continue to deliver the deepest savings, broadest access, and most reliable service through the power of our directly contracted, nationwide dental network.

How Our Direct Dental Network Outperforms Leased Networks

Delta Dental has over 20% more dentists in-network compared to most medical carrier bundled networks.

Some carriers are expanding their dental networks through third-party leasing arrangement. While this may increase the number of provider names on paper, leased networks can lead to confusion, less control, and inconsistent member experiences. Delta Dental providers are 100% directly contracted, meaning we've contracted directly with dentists to ensure consistency, quality, and savings you can count on.

  • 151,000+ unique dentists and 416,000+ access points nationwidei
  • 8 out of 10 dentists nationwide are in our networki
  • 90 million members across the country are covered by Delta Dentalii

More Than Access: Real Value at the Dentist's Office

Effective discount increases with size of in-network providers

Many carriers may promote lower administrative fees, which is certainly appealing, but did you know that claims drive most dental expenses for a company? Delta Dental of Washington delivers savings where it matters most: at the point of care.

  • Delta Dental has the number one effective discount nationally as proven with the Milliman Effective Discount Studyiii
  • 94% Delta Dental members see an in-network provider, allowing patients to save on their treatment costs and stretch their plan benefits furtheriv
  • $27.7 billion saved for groups nationwide thanks to our unique cost control measures and contractual agreements with dentists to ensure quality care at moderate feesii

Our focus on negotiated discounts and high in-network usage helps reduce the total cost of care for both employers and employees.

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What Employers & Members Get with Delta Dental of Washington

A strong network is about more than access and savings. It’s about getting support when you need it. With Delta Dental, members experience:

  • 97.2% first-call resolution on member service callsv
  • 99.7% claims payment accuracy, reflecting our commitment to payment integrity, efficient claims processing, and reduced billing errors.
  • Online tools and reliable support teams ensure members can easily find an in-network dentist near them
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Hearing About Dentists Leaving Dental Benefit Networks?

You may have heard that some dentists are leaving dental carrier networks. This is happening across the industry for many reasons. Dentists may leave due to retirement, practice consolidation, business model changes, or shifting to private-pay models. These factors impact all networks, not just Delta Dental.

Despite these trends, our network of Delta Dental providers remains strong and resilient. In fact, many dentists who leave return to our network over time.

We actively invest in:

  • Recruitment and retention efforts across the nation
  • A transparent, equity-based provider reimbursement model that fosters provider trust and long-term network stability. By factoring in market cost, preventive care, access, and patient retention, our model promotes fee equity and stability across the network, supporting long-term partnerships with our providers.
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Support for Washington and National Employer Groups

We know how much trust you place in your benefits partners. That’s why we continue to invest in:

  • Expanding network access in Washington and across the nation
  • Regularly reviewing provider fees and satisfaction
  • Transparent reporting and employer, broker, and member support
  • Maintaining a direct, stable network that supports members and providers alike

If you’re evaluating dental plan options for your organization, consider more than just price. Look for the network that delivers on savings, service, and long-term value.

Questions to ask when choosing a dental benefits carrier

With Delta Dental of Washington, you’ll get both the largest dental network and the lowest cost in care.

Sources

  1. Delta Dental Plans Association. Network Trend Report. May 2025; Network360 Confirmed Practicing Locations Summary. March 2025.
  2. Delta Dental Plans Association. Delta Dental Fact Sheet. 2024.
  3. Milliman. (2025). 2024 DAA PPO Network Study Report – DDPA Edition, Table 1: Network Discounts.
  4. SSRS Report 1444. In-network utilization data.
  5. Delta Dental of Washington. Performance Guarantees Final Results. 2024. Unpublished internal report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta Dental of Washington better than bundling with another plan?
Delta Dental of Washington offers a direct dental network, which typically provides greater discounts, broader dentist access, and stronger payment integrity than other carrier’s bundled or leased dental add-ons. Employers often see lower total costs with Delta Dental of Washington, even if admin fees appear higher upfront.
Will my employees have trouble finding an in-network Delta Dental provider near them?
Delta Dental of Washington is part of the largest direct dental network in the U.S., with 151,000+ in-network dentists and high in-network usage. Members also get access to Find-a-Dentist tools and a support team to ensure easy provider access near home or work.
How does Delta Dental of Washington help employers save on dental benefits?
Savings come from more than just premiums. Delta Dental delivers deep provider discounts (around 40%), high in-network usage (94%)—helping reduce total cost of care for both the company and its employees.