Per patient, the family's initial "out of pocket" amount
The individual deductible amount must be paid by each applicable family member (up to the insurance plan's limitations of applicable family members) before the patient's insurance carrier will begin paying for a patient's covered procedures
The deductible amount varies from one plan to another
The American Dental Association defines "family deductible": A deductible that is satisfied by combined expenses of all covered family members. For example, a program with $25 deductible may limit its application to a maximum of three deductibles, or $75 for the family, regardless of the number of family members. (2011-2012 CDT Current Dental Terminology: The ADA Practical Guide to Dental Procedure Codes)