The amount you pay for covered dental care services before your plan begins to pay for benefits. In most cases, you must pay the deductible amount each calendar or plan year. A dental plan covering several family members may have both an individual and family deductible. The family deductible is the overall limit on what a family will pay before the dental plan pays benefits. Your policy outlines the services to which the deductible applies. Many PPO plans do not apply the deductible to diagnostic and preventive services such as cleanings and exams.