Every person should practice good dental hygiene, and this includes regular visits to the dentist. In fact, most dental experts recommend that people receive professional cleanings between once and twice a year, with additional care as needed. Of course, finding a good dental plan is challenging these days. Many Americans view balancing affordability with quality care as a fairly impossible feat. The good news is that good dental plans for individuals, families and seniors do exist, but it's important to know where to look. While insurance laws and availability varies by state, there are various national programs and providers worth looking into. Here are some examples:

Individuals (single dental insurance seekers not looking to add someone to their coverage plan) have a lot of options, but they can be very pricey. However, Humana is one of the largest dental plan insurers in the country and currently offers new individual enrollees some great savings. According to Humana's website, individuals who can save between 20 and 60 percent (depending on their plan they select) on dental services from within their network. Some of the best savings can be found with Humana's Dental Value Coverage Plan, which full coverage for preventative services and set fees for additional exams and treatments. It's also worth mentioning that Humana offers an additional $35 discount to new enrollees who bundle their dental and vision plans. 

Families meanwhile have a lot of options for dental plans, but some of the best value ones can be found with Delta Dental. Though known for its higher levels of savings, Delta Dental is also the nation's largest provider of dental health benefits and has a large network with almost 200,000 dentists. Families have various coverage options through Delta Dental, two of which are Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA. With Delta Dental PPO, families can access an even wider network of dentists who accept lower fees for their services. Instead of set fees, patients pay set percentages of the cost based on the dentist's fees. Because of the cost flexibility available, this can lead to big savings. Meanwhile, the DeltaCare USA plan offers families another option. With this coverage, the plan is prepaid at a set cost and results in low-to-no copays for most dental visits. 

While a lot of seniors will benefit from the plans that individuals and families choose, many others will need a more comprehensive plan. While an increasing amount of providers are starting to offer such plans geared toward seniors, one of the current best selections is from Aetna. New enrollees can save between 15 and 50 percent, depending on the plan they select and the services they receive. There is also no annual spending limit for the Aetna Vital Savings plan (typically geared toward seniors who are eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid), which also offers coverage for seniors starting at less than $10 a month. With this plan, there are also no waiting periods or copays. 

That said, it is important to realize that the dental plans listed here should not be viewed as the only good options out there. Instead, many individuals, families and seniors will find that they serve as great starting points to even better plan options. Furthermore, dental insurance laws as well as the plans available to each person will vary by state and specific location. But there's no better time than the present to get going! Untreated dental problems can lead to serious health issues later on, so it's crucial to keep up with regular dental checkups and treatments. It all starts a good dental plan.