What’s new with dental loss ratio

A number of states have enforced, enacted and introduced dental loss ratio legislation this year, with dentists in a handful of additional states advocating for the change.

Here are six updates on dental loss ratio, as reported by Becker’s so far in 2026:

1. Massachusetts became the first state to enforce dental loss ratio standards, requiring six dental insurance companies to return $8.4 million to consumers enrolled in their dental plan.
2. Mississippi enacted a dental loss ratio reporting law requiring insurers to disclose the percentage of premium dollars spent on patient care.
3. The New York State Dental Association advocated for the state to create a dental loss ratio for dental insurers.
4. The Idaho Legislature introduced a bill that would require dental healthcare service plans to report their dental loss ratios.
5. A coalition of dentists urged the Alabama Legislature to pass matching bills establishing a dental loss ratio in the state.
6. A West Virginia lawmaker introduced a bill that includes the establishment of a dental loss ratio in the state.

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