--- title: "Delta Dental of Missouri: PPO vs Premier in Plain Words" description: "Delta Dental of Missouri has two dentist networks, PPO and Premier. See how they differ in plain words, using Delta Dental's own pages as of October 2026." url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/delta-dental-of-missouri-ppo-vs-premier-in-plain-words publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- # Delta Dental of Missouri: PPO vs Premier in Plain Words Delta Dental of Missouri plans use two dentist networks, PPO and Premier. Delta Dental says every PPO dentist is also in Premier, and that network dentists accept its contracted allowance. Your own plan sets the exact rules, so read your benefits and ask Delta Dental. This post does not say which plans our office accepts. Insurance and costPublished October 26, 20263 min read ## What is the difference between Delta Dental PPO and Premier? Both are networks of dentists that Delta Dental of Missouri uses. Its Products page says its plans “offer access to two networks of dentists,” Delta Dental Premier and Delta Dental PPO. On its networks page, Delta Dental says “all dentists who participate in the Delta Dental PPO network are also in the Delta Dental Premier network.” In plain words, Premier is the wider group and PPO is a smaller group inside it. This post explains the plans in general terms from Delta Dental’s own pages, as of October 2026. It does not say whether our office accepts any plan. Call the office to ask about yours. ## How do the two networks compare? Question Delta Dental PPO Delta Dental Premier Who is in it? Dentists who have joined the PPO network; all are also in Premier Dentists who have joined Premier, which includes all PPO dentists Fees Delta Dental’s page says PPO dentists accept negotiated lower fees Premier dentists accept a contracted allowance and do not bill the patient for amounts over it Claims Network dentists handle claims Network dentists handle claims Can I use a dentist outside both networks? Members will often have that freedom, says Delta Dental Check your plan Your own plan decides the details. A plan can pay different shares for a PPO dentist, a Premier dentist and a dentist outside the networks. ## What does it mean to be “in network”? An [in-network dentist](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/in-network-dentist) has an agreement with your plan. For Delta Dental, the networks page says dentists in either network “will handle all claims, accept Delta Dental’s allowance in full and abide by our clinical policies for patient care for covered benefits.” An [out-of-network dentist](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/out-of-network-dentist) has no such agreement, which can change what you pay. The Products page says Premier dentists “do not bill the patient for amounts over this allowance.” When a dentist outside the network bills more than the plan allows, the extra can fall to you. That is called [balance billing](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/balance-billing). Ask your plan how it treats that. ## What else changes what I pay? Network status is one piece. These items also matter, and they come from your plan, not from the network: - [Deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible): what you pay before the plan starts to pay. - [Annual maximum](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/annual-maximum): the most the plan pays in a year. - Waiting periods and frequency limits for some services. - The share the plan pays for preventive, basic and major care. Our guide to [dental insurance explained](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-insurance-explained) goes through these terms. The glossary entry on the [PPO dental plan](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/ppo-dental-plan) covers the plan type. ## What mistakes should I avoid? Plain mix-ups cost people money. Watch for these: - Assuming that “accepts my insurance” means “is in my network.” A dental office may file a claim for you without being in your network. Ask which one applies. - Assuming one plan name means one set of rules. The same carrier can sell many plans with different limits. - Forgetting the yearly cycle. Many plans reset on a set date, and a visit near the cutoff can fall into either year. - Skipping the estimate. A written estimate before treatment shows what the plan expects to pay and what you may owe. If your employer picked the plan, the benefits booklet is where to read the exact rules. Your human resources office can also explain which Delta Dental network your group uses. ## How do I check a dentist’s network status? Do not rely on a web page. Check three places: 1. Delta Dental’s own Find a Dentist tool, on the Delta Dental of Missouri site. 2. The dental office. Ask, “Are you in my plan’s network today, and which one?” 3. Your plan, by phone. Ask Delta Dental to confirm the dentist and the network. Networks change, so confirm before you book. Ask for a written estimate that shows what the plan is expected to pay and what you may owe. The office gives each patient its own estimate. Our office does not set what a plan pays. ## Next step Read about our [family dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/family-dentistry) page, or see our [insurance and financing page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/patients/insurance-and-financing) for what the office says about plans and payment. To ask about your plan, call (636) 273-5866 or [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between Delta Dental PPO and Premier? Delta Dental of Missouri says it offers two networks of dentists, Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier. It says all PPO dentists are also in Premier. Its page says PPO dentists accept negotiated lower fees, and Premier dentists accept a contracted allowance. ### Can I see a dentist outside the networks? Delta Dental says that with its PPO, members will often have the freedom to choose a network dentist, a Premier dentist or a non-network dentist. Costs can differ by network, so check your plan documents and ask Delta Dental before treatment. ### What does a network dentist agree to do? Delta Dental of Missouri says dentists who participate with either network will handle all claims, accept its allowance in full and follow its clinical policies for covered benefits. Ask Delta Dental what that means for your plan. ### Does Town Center Dental accept Delta Dental? This post explains the plans in general from Delta Dental's own pages. It does not say whether our office takes any plan. Call (636) 273-5866 and ask the office about your plan before you book. ### How do I find out what my plan pays? Call the number on your member card or read your benefits booklet. Ask about your deductible, yearly maximum, waiting periods and what share the plan pays for each type of care. Ask the dental office for a written estimate, too. ## Terms on this page - [Out-of-network dentist](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/out-of-network-dentist) - [In-network dentist](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/in-network-dentist) - [Dental insurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-insurance) - [Balance billing](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/balance-billing) - [PPO dental plan](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/ppo-dental-plan) - [Annual maximum](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/annual-maximum) - [Deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible) ## Sources 1. [Delta Dental of Missouri: Delta Dental Networks](https://www.deltadentalmo.com/Networks/deltadentalnetworks) 2. [Delta Dental of Missouri: Delta Dental Networks](https://www.deltadentalmo.com/Networks/deltadentalnetworks) 3. [Delta Dental of Missouri: Products, Networks](https://www.deltadentalmo.com/products/delta_dental_networks) 4. [Delta Dental of Missouri: Products, Networks](https://www.deltadentalmo.com/products/delta_dental_networks) Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care. ## Keep reading - [Dental Insurance Explained: Deductibles, Maximums and NetworksDental insurance usually has a monthly premium, a deductible you pay first, coinsurance or copays after that, and a yearly maximum the plan will pay. PPO plans give you more dentist choice than dental HMOs. Waiting periods, frequency limits and exclusions decide what is paid, so read the plan before treatment.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-insurance-explained) - [Your Child's First Dental Visit: When To Start, What To Expect, and When Teeth Come and GoThe ADA and the AAP say to schedule your child's first dental visit after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Most visits are short. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, talks about cleaning and habits, and plans future check-ups. Baby teeth start to come in around 6 months.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/childs-first-dental-visit) - [Dental Anxiety: 12 Ways to Make the Visit EasierDental anxiety is a common fear of dental visits. Cleveland Clinic says about 36% of people in the U.S. fear dental treatment. You can ease it by telling the team, agreeing on a stop signal, using relaxation, and asking about options such as nitrous oxide. Your dentist will talk with you about what fits.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-anxiety-guide) - [Dental Emergencies: What Counts, What To Do First, and Who To CallA dental emergency is a mouth problem that needs care right away, such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain that medicine does not ease, or a knocked-out tooth. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing. Otherwise, call your dentist. Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-emergency-guide) - [How to Choose a Dentist (and Check a Missouri License)Choose a dentist by weighing location, hours, plan network, communication, fees information and how the office handles emergencies, then meet the office before you commit. In Missouri, you can confirm any dentist's license on the state's licensee search, which the Division of Professional Registration says is primary source verification.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-choose-a-dentist) - [Sedation Dentistry: How Safe Is It, and Which Type Fits Your Visit?Sedation dentistry uses medicine to help you feel calm during dental care. Common types are nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation and general anesthesia. Missouri requires a state permit for dentists who give deeper levels. Town Center Dental describes its own sedation care on its sedation page. Your dentist will talk with you about what fits you.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/sedation-dentistry-guide) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)