Dental

The County of Alameda (County) provides eligible employees a choice of the following dental plans:

  • DeltaCare USA DHMO Plan
  • Delta Dental PPO Plan
  • Delta Dental PPO Supplemental Plan

The Employee Benefit Handbook and your Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Salary Ordinance, describes the dental benefits offered to you and if applicable, the annual benefit maximum.

About the DeltaCare USA Plan

When you enroll in the DeltaCare USA plan, you select a DeltaCare USA network dentist to provide and coordinate your dental care. With DeltaCare USA, you must visit your selected primary care dentist to receive benefits. If you need specialty care, your primary care dentist can obtain a referral on your behalf. Services provided by primary care dentists are covered at low or no copayments and are not subject to a deductible.

Note that you can change your DeltaCare USA dentist at any time. Simply contact DeltaCare USA customer service.   Changes made before the 15th of the month are effective on the first of the following month. Refer to the dental plan benefit summary for details about the benefits covered under each plan option.

You can also contact Delta Dental at the numbers listed on the Contact Information page of this site for benefit plan details.

About the Delta Dental PPO Plan

Besides the Premier network, the Delta Dental PPO plan gives members access to a second network, the Delta Dental PPO network.  This special network of dentists agreed to deeper discounted fees, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs.  Additionally, basic services such as fillings are covered at 85% when visiting a Delta Dental PPO dentist.  However, as a PPO plan, you also have the option of visiting any dentist you choose.

Adult and child orthodontia is a covered benefit under the Delta Dental PPO Plan.  Delta Dental PPO will pay 50% of orthodontia costs up to a $2500 lifetime maximum per covered individual.  Delta Dental PPO also provides items such as Mouth Guards.  And, if your dentist is part of the Delta Dental PPO network, you may also enjoy higher cost savings.

About the Delta Dental PPO Supplemental Plan

The Delta Dental PPO Supplemental Plan is a valuable resource to employees.  The spousal and young adult dependent dental plan is designed to supplement the benefits provided under the County-sponsored Delta Dental PPO Plan by up to 25%.

To participate, both the employee and the spouse/domestic partner or employee and young adult dependents, must be employed by the County, one employee selects self +1 or family coverage, and the spouse/ domestic partner selects the supplemental plan with self +1 or family coverage. The Delta Dental PPO Supplemental Plan then adds an additional 25% coinsurance on your Delta Dental PPO Plan for benefits provided to the spouse/domestic partner as the spouse/domestic partner incurs eligible dental expenses throughout the year.

Plan Highlights Sheets

For details on each dental plan please refer to the benefit summaries listed below:

Please note that the above information and documents only provide a brief summary of the plans. You should carefully review each plan’s Evidence of Coverage Booklet for more details.

The Delta Dental plans require services to be preapproved and/or obtained from specific providers who contract with the plan. Contact Delta Dental directly if you have questions regarding the benefits covered.

Note: You can change your DeltaCare USA dentist at any time. Contact DeltaCare USA customer service before the 15th of the month; changes are effective on the first of the following month. You can also contact Delta Dental at the numbers listed on the Contact Information page of this site for benefit plan details.

Refer to the following rate sheets for the costs that are effective as of February 1, 2024 (PDF, 410kb)