Open Enrollment 2027 · Wilmington, DE
Choosing a Dental Plan for 2027 in Wilmington, DE. PPO, DHMO or No Insurance? Ask Before You Enroll.
Open enrollment is happening now for employer plans, HealthCare.gov and Medicare. The plan you pick decides which dentist you can see, how much you pay and how long you wait for treatment. Tell us the plan name before you enroll and we'll tell you, free, whether Wilmington Dental & Implants is in network.
2027 open enrollment dates
Mark the deadline that applies to you. Dental coverage you choose now usually starts January 1, 2027.
| Coverage | Enrollment window for 2027 |
|---|---|
| Medicare Annual Enrollment (Medicare Advantage & Part D) | October 15 – December 7, 2026 |
| HealthCare.gov (Delaware marketplace) | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (select a plan by December 15 for coverage starting January 1) |
| Employer dental plans | Set by your employer, usually November – December |
| Unused 2026 dental benefits | Most reset January 1, 2027 |
PPO vs DHMO (DMO) dental plans
The biggest choice during open enrollment is the type of plan. Here is how the two common types compare with paying your dentist directly through a membership.
| PPO plan | DHMO / DMO plan | W Smile Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choosing a dentist | Any dentist; you pay least in network | One assigned office | Your own office, any day |
| Monthly cost | Higher premium | Lower premium | No premium; one yearly fee |
| Specialists | No referral usually needed | Referral usually required | Treatment at your office, 30% off |
| Annual maximum | Usually $1,000–$2,000 | Varies; copay schedule | None |
| Waiting periods | Common for major work | Varies by plan | None |
| Best for | Keeping your dentist, implants, crowns, Invisalign | Lowest premium, routine care | No insurance or high premiums |
Looking at a PPO? See the dental insurance we accept.
Buying dental coverage on HealthCare.gov
If you buy health insurance through the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace on HealthCare.gov (Choose Health Delaware), you can usually add dental. Children's dental is part of marketplace health coverage, and adults can often add a stand-alone dental plan. Most marketplace dental plans have an annual maximum and waiting periods for major work, so compare them with the total you would pay out of pocket.
Medicare and dental coverage
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care: no cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures or implants. Many Medicare Advantage plans add dental benefits, often with a low annual maximum. During the October 15 to December 7 enrollment period, ask each plan whether its dental benefit is a PPO or a DHMO network, what the annual maximum is and whether implants and dentures are covered.
7 questions to ask before you enroll
- Is it a PPO or a DHMO/DMO plan?
- Is Wilmington Dental & Implants in network for this exact plan? (Call 302-984-3300; we check for free.)
- What is the annual maximum, and is there a deductible?
- Are there waiting periods for fillings, crowns, root canals or implants?
- Is there a missing-tooth clause for teeth lost before you enrolled?
- How often are cleanings and X-rays covered?
- What percentage is covered for major work like crowns and implants?
Not getting dental insurance for 2027?
The W Smile Club membership at Wilmington Dental & Implants is $579 a year for two painless cleanings, two exams, all X-rays and unlimited emergency visits, plus 30% off all treatment. No premiums, deductibles, waiting periods or annual maximum, and you can join any day of the year.
Have 2026 benefits left? Use them by December 31.
Most plans reset on January 1, and unused cleanings and annual maximum don't carry over. We guarantee cleanings within 2 weeks. Call 302-984-3300.
Open Enrollment FAQ
Dental Plan Questions for 2027
When is dental open enrollment for 2027?+
It depends on where your coverage comes from. Employer plans set their own window, usually in November or December. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Delaware's marketplace open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; pick a plan by December 15 for a January 1 start.
What is the difference between a PPO and a DHMO dental plan?+
A PPO (preferred provider organization) plan lets you see any dentist and pays the most when you use an in-network dentist. A DHMO (dental health maintenance organization) plan, sometimes called a DMO, usually costs less each month but assigns you to one dental office, may require referrals for specialists and pays nothing if you go elsewhere.
Is a DMO the same as a DHMO?+
Yes, in practice. DMO (dental maintenance organization) and DHMO are names for the same kind of plan: a lower premium in exchange for using one assigned office and a set copay list. Aetna, for example, calls its version a DMO.
Does Wilmington Dental & Implants accept DHMO or DMO plans?+
Most of our patients use PPO plans, and we are in network with most major dental PPOs. DHMO and DMO plans only pay at the office you are assigned to, so before you enroll, call us at 302-984-3300 with the exact plan name and we will tell you whether we are in network for that plan.
Should I choose a PPO or a DHMO dental plan?+
Choose a PPO if you want to keep your current dentist, see a specialist without a referral or may need implants, crowns or Invisalign. A DHMO can make sense if the lowest monthly premium matters most and the assigned office is one you are happy to use. Compare the annual maximum, waiting periods and the in-network list before you decide.
Can I buy dental insurance on HealthCare.gov?+
Yes. The Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace on HealthCare.gov (Choose Health Delaware) lists dental plans along with health plans. Dental coverage for children is part of marketplace health coverage, and adults can usually add a stand-alone dental plan. Check whether the plan is a PPO or a DHMO, its annual maximum and its waiting periods before you buy.
Does Medicare cover dental care?+
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures or implants. Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include some dental benefits, often with a low annual maximum, so check the dental network and limits during the October 15 to December 7 enrollment period.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover dental implants?+
Some do, but coverage is often limited by a low annual maximum, waiting periods or a set dollar allowance. Ask the plan for its dental network type, the annual maximum and whether implants, crowns and dentures are covered before you switch.
What is a dental annual maximum?+
The annual maximum is the most a dental plan will pay in a plan year. Many plans cap benefits at around $1,000 to $2,000, and anything over that is paid by you. Unused benefits usually reset on January 1 and do not roll over.
What is a dental waiting period?+
A waiting period is the time you must be enrolled before certain treatments are covered. Many individual plans cover cleanings right away but make you wait 6 to 12 months for fillings, root canals, crowns or implants. Look for this before you enroll if you already need treatment.
Can I keep my dentist if I switch dental plans?+
With a PPO plan you can usually keep your dentist. With a DHMO or DMO you can only keep your dentist if that office is the one assigned under the plan. Call Wilmington Dental & Implants at 302-984-3300 with the plan name and we will check for you, free of charge.
Can I get dental insurance outside open enrollment?+
Employer and marketplace plans are mainly limited to open enrollment or a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage. Many stand-alone dental plans sold directly by insurers can be bought any time of year, but they often come with waiting periods.
Is dental insurance worth it for 2027?+
It is worth it when your employer pays part of the premium or you expect only routine care that stays under the annual maximum. If you would be paying the full premium yourself, compare it with the W Smile Club membership at Wilmington Dental & Implants: $579 a year for two cleanings, two exams, all X-rays and emergency visits, plus 30% off treatment, with no waiting periods or annual maximum.
What if I don't have dental insurance next year?+
You can still get regular care. The W Smile Club membership at Wilmington Dental & Implants replaces dental insurance with one yearly fee of $579. It covers your preventive visits and takes 30% off all other treatment. You can join any day of the year, with no open enrollment deadline.
Should I use my dental benefits before December 31?+
Yes, if you have benefits left. Most dental plans reset on January 1, and unused cleanings and annual maximum do not carry over. Booking a cleaning or finishing planned treatment before the end of the year uses money you have already paid for in premiums.
Related Treatments
Painless Teeth Cleanings in Wilmington, DE
Cleanings within 2 weeks, guaranteed. New patients welcome.
Learn more →Dental Implants in Wilmington, DE
Permanent tooth replacement with clear, written pricing.
Learn more →Emergency Dentist in Wilmington, DE
Toothache or broken tooth? Same-day emergency appointments.
Learn more →Dental Insurance Accepted
We accept most dental PPO plans, verify your benefits for free and file your claims. Medicaid not accepted.
Visit Us in Wilmington
Wilmington Dental & Implants
2300 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 6AB (6th floor)
Wilmington, DE 19806
Formerly Herbert T. Casalena, DDS, P.A. Near Trolley Square. Patient records remain on site.
| Monday – Friday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | Closed |
Most PPO plans accepted · Medicaid not accepted
Ready when you are.
Call our Wilmington office at 302-984-3300 or request a time online. Cleanings within 2 weeks, guaranteed. Same-day emergency appointments. Free insurance check.
