Altus Dental

What Altus Dental does

Altus Dental Insurance Co., Inc. is a private dental and vision insurance carrier headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, operating primarily across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire. The company provides PPO-based dental insurance covering preventive (100%), basic restorative (80%), and major restorative (50%) services, plus orthodontics and periodontics, with one of the largest dental provider networks in Massachusetts at 11,000+ participating locations and nearly 420,000 nationwide through Connection Dental and DenteMax partnerships. Member-facing technology includes a web-based member portal, real-time dentist directory with specialty and language filters, teledentistry exam coverage, and the SmileMore oral wellness program that uses PreViser's clinical risk assessment to unlock additional preventive benefits for at-risk patients.

Altus Dental generates revenue primarily through recurring monthly premiums from employer groups, government contracts, unions, and individuals, with secondary subscription revenue from vision premiums underwritten via VSP partnership and transaction-fee revenue from the Chewsi dental savings program. The company distributes products through direct employer sales segmented by group size, an exclusive contract with the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission covering 100,000+ state members, partnership channels (AAA Northeast, Plumbers Union Local 12, Health New England, COBCU), the Massachusetts Health Connector marketplace as a Qualified Dental Plan provider, insurance brokers, and direct-to-consumer online enrollment. Vision coverage is offered through Altus Vision in partnership with VSP Vision Care.

Membership has grown to over 400,000 members, doubling in three years, anchored by the GIC contract and a portfolio of channel-exclusive partnerships. Product breadth spans core dental PPO, DMS (a low-cost DHMO alternative), individual plans (Altus Dental for 1), and value-added services (SmileMore, Chewsi, Teledentistry). Operations are supported by a lean 11-50 employee base typical of insurance carrier administrative models, with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership.

Name

Altus Dental

Legal name

Altus Dental Insurance Co., Inc.

Website

https://altusdental.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Altus Dental is a private dental and vision insurance carrier serving over 400,000 members in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New England through PPO dental plans, VSP-partnered vision coverage, and channel partnerships with the Massachusetts GIC, AAA Northeast, and labor unions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental and Vision Insurance

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Dental Insurance (FSAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dental PPO Plans (HLAEAIAA), Group Dental Plans (Employer-Sponsored) (HLAEAIAG), Stand-Alone Dental Plans (Individual/Family) (HLAEAIAF)

Keywords

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• PPO dental plans
• Employer dental benefits
• Dental wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Dental Insurance Premiums: Monthly and annual premiums collected from employer groups, individuals, unions, and government entities for dental coverage. Premium rates vary by plan type (individual, two-person, family), geographic region, and coverage level.
2. Vision Insurance Premiums: Additional premiums collected for vision coverage offered through Altus Vision partnership with VSP Vision Care. Rates are tiered by coverage level (individual, two-person, family).
3. Chewsi Dental Savings Program: Alternative to traditional insurance - Chewsi connects members with dentists offering discounts on services. No monthly fees or premiums; revenue derived from negotiated savings arrangements with participating dentists.
4. DMS (DHMO) Plan Administration: Low-cost Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) prepaid dental plan program with reduced out-of-pocket expenses through focus on prevention. Members select one primary in-network provider.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Altus Dental is a New England-based dental and vision insurance carrier that issues and administers PPO dental plans, a DHMO alternative (DMS), and vision coverage through VSP to employer groups, government entities, labor unions, membership organizations, and individuals. Plans cover preventive, basic restorative, major restorative, orthodontic, and periodontal services, with member access to one of the largest dental PPO networks in Massachusetts (11,000+ locations). Additional programs include the SmileMore oral wellness initiative (with PreViser), teledentistry exams, and the Chewsi dental savings program.

Product overview

Altus Dental is a dental and vision insurance provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of products through multiple channels. The core offering is dental PPO insurance with access to one of the largest networks in Massachusetts (11,000+ locations). Vision coverage (Altus Vision) is provided in partnership with VSP Vision Care. Additional products include SmileMore (PreViser-powered oral wellness), Chewsi (dental savings), DMS (DHMO alternative), and individual plans (Altus Dental for 1). Products are distributed through employer groups, government partnerships (GIC, HNE), membership organizations (AAA, Plumbers Union), and individual direct sales via the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Altus Vision™: Vision insurance plan offered in partnership with VSP Vision Care, providing coverage for eye exams, prescription glasses, frames, lenses, and contact lenses.
• AAA Dental Plan
• Altus Dental for 1
• DMS
• SmileMore
• Chewsi

Products and services

• Altus Dental PPO Insurance
• Altus Vision
• DMS (Dental Health Maintenance Organization)
• Altus Dental for 1 Individual dental insurance plan for Massachusetts residents without employer-sponsored coverage, available with a one-time $35 non-refundable enrollment fee plus monthly premium and a $2/month discount for bank account direct withdrawal.
• SmileMore Oral Wellness Program Web-based oral wellness program powered by PreViser clinical risk-assessment technology that scores members for caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. High-risk members (scores 3-5 on a 5-point scale) unlock additional preventive benefits including extra cleanings, fluoride treatments, and periodontal maintenance.
• Chewsi Dental Savings Program Non-insurance alternative that connects members with dentists offering discounts on any service at every visit, with no monthly fees, no service exclusions, and no limits. Revenue derives from negotiated savings arrangements with participating dentists.
• GIC Dental and Vision Plan Dental and vision benefits for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) active employees and retirees, including specialized Altus Vision coverage. Covers over 100,000 state members under exclusive contract.
• AAA Dental and Vision Plan Dental (Standard and Essential tiers) and Altus Vision insurance plans offered exclusively to AAA Northeast members living in Massachusetts, with vision coverage starting at $7.25/month for individuals.
• HNE Pediatric Dental Plan Pediatric dental Essential Health Benefits for members enrolled in Health New England medical plans, qualifying HNE for Qualified Health Plan (QHP) designation on the Massachusetts Health Connector marketplace.
• Plumbers Union Local 12 Dental Plan Affordable dental plan for Plumbers Union Local 12 members with monthly premiums of $58.89 (individual), $115.16 (two-person), and $225.87 (family), covering preventive, restorative, and major services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% overall member satisfaction rating based on 2025 Member Satisfaction Survey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Altus Dental holds an exclusive contract with the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission to provide dental and vision benefits to Commonwealth of Massachusetts state employees and retirees. This major contract covers over 100,000 state members and represents significant membership growth for the company.
• AAA NortheastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership to provide dental and vision insurance plans exclusively for AAA Northeast members living in Massachusetts. Altus Dental offers AAA-specific Standard and Essential dental plans, plus Altus Vision coverage starting at $7.25/month for individuals.
• Health New England (HNE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide pediatric dental benefits for HNE medical plan members. The partnership helps HNE receive 'Qualified Health Plan (QHP)' designation by incorporating pediatric dental Essential Health Benefits as part of medical plan offerings through Massachusetts Health Connector.
• Plumbers Union Local 12coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAffordable dental plan specifically designed for Plumbers Union Local 12 members with rates of $58.89/month individual, $115.16/month two-person, and $225.87/month family coverage.
• VSP Vision CarecoreTechnology or IntegrationAltus Vision plans underwritten by Altus Dental with claims processing, claims service, and provider network administration provided under contract by Vision Service Plan Insurance Company (VSP). VSP is the largest vision benefits company in the U.S., providing access to the largest network of eye doctors nationwide.
• ChewsiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing Chewsi dental savings program - an alternative to traditional insurance connecting members with dentists offering significant savings on any service with no monthly fees, no limits, and no exclusions.
• Connection Dental / DenteMax NetworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationNational network partnerships providing access to nearly 420,000 participating dental office locations across the United States for members traveling or living outside the primary New England service area.
• COBCU (Credit Union Business Council)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial partnership providing dental benefits to COBCU credit union members through a member benefits program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Humana Dental: National health and dental benefits carrier with strong employer-group dental business. Overlaps with Altus in the employer dental market but serves a national footprint.
• UnitedHealthcare Dental: Largest U.S. health insurer offering dental plans to employer groups nationwide. Indirect competitor through scale and integrated medical bundling rather than regional dental specialization.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Dental: Dominant Massachusetts health insurer offering stand-alone and bundled dental plans to employer groups. Competes with Altus for Massachusetts employer accounts via strong regional brand and integrated offerings.
• Cigna Dental Insurance: National health insurer with a substantial dental benefits business selling bundled and stand-alone dental plans to employers. Competes via broader portfolio scale rather than regional dental specialization.
• Aetna Dental: CVS Health-owned carrier offering dental PPO/DHMO plans typically bundled with medical benefits. Competes with Altus for employer accounts but emphasizes integrated medical-dental offerings.

Direct peers

• Dominion National: Mid-sized dental and vision insurance carrier offering group, individual, and ACA marketplace plans primarily on the U.S. East Coast. Operates in a similar regional-employer-dental niche to Altus.
• Spirit Dental & Vision: Direct-to-consumer dental and vision insurance carrier focused on individual and family plans without network restrictions. Competes with Altus Dental for 1 and other individual plans on Massachusetts Health Connector.
• Delta Dental of Massachusetts: Regional arm of the largest U.S. dental benefits carrier, offering dental PPO and DHMO plans to employers and individuals in Massachusetts. Most direct head-to-head competitor in Altus's core New England geography.
• Guardian Dental Insurance: National dental insurance carrier offering group and individual dental PPO plans to employers of all sizes. Competes with Altus for mid-market and large employer accounts in Massachusetts and the broader Northeast.
• MetLife Dental Insurance: Large national dental benefits carrier offering employer-sponsored PPO and DHMO plans. Direct competitor in the employer group dental market across the U.S., including Massachusetts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AltusDental
• Facebookfacebook.com/AltusDentalInsurance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/altusdental

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Altus Dental