A dental discount plan may be an attractive and affordable alternative to dental insurance. Some people who already have dental insurance find that they save even more by adding a dental discount plan too. They are usually very affordable, do not have waiting periods, and often cover many procedures -- like cosmetic and orthodontics -- that traditional dental insurance will not cover!
DENTAL INSURANCE
Traditional dental insurance has some drawbacks. With expensive premiums, high deductibles, and low yearly maximums, it may be hard to see how a dental insurance plan saves much money at all. Many dental insurance plans will offer generous coverage on routine care like checkups, cleanings, and simple x-rays. However those services are usually fairly inexpensive anyway.
When a family needs more coverage, they may find that their out of pocket costs surprise them. Complex fillings and crowns usually still require large copayments, and many dental insurance companies do not even cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or dentures at all!
Some of the problems with many Dental Insurance Plans include:
Limitations, deductibles and annual maximums
Waiting periods for major dental procedures
Tedious and time-consuming written claims process
Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions
Certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry, are rarely covered
Consumers pay expensive monthly premiums for defined coverage
Typically inaccessible to individuals and families unless provided by their employer
Some of the characteristics of Discount Dental Plans include:
No annual limits, members enjoy discounts on most dental services all year long
Most plans activate right away, within 1 to 3 business days, and have no waiting periods!
No tiresome paperwork hassles, plan membership card is presented for discounts on most dental services
No health restrictions and no age restrictions.
Select plans include discounts on dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics
Consumers pay affordable membership fees for access to a network of providers offering discounts on most dental procedures
Available directly to individuals, families, businesses and groups
Many families who have dental insurance at work find that they have more flexibility, and save more money by adding a dental discount plan! This is because the discount dental plan may cover services that dental insurance does not cover. The dental discount plans use a huge network of US dentists, and so some families find it easier to find a nearby dental provider too.
Dental plans make it easy to find dentists! They have simple online searches, by zip code or dentist name. You can find out if your current dentist accepts the plan or find a new dentist in your area.
Many families who do not have dental insurance at work will put off routine dental care because they are concerned about the cost. However, this is never a good idea. If a person neglects regular checkups and cleanings, worse problems will develop in the future. Many discount dental plans even offer free, or very inexpensive, routine care like checkups, cleanings, and x-rays.
Some dental plans also offer other medical discounts. They arrange special deals with vision care providers, pharmacies, vitamin stores, and other outlets for health needs. With dental plans costing a few dollars a month, most will do more than pay for themselves!
Some people are provided with dental insurance from their job, but for many, dental expenses are left to be paid out of pocket. This can present a challenge for some people. Paying full price for dental expenses can be overwhelming, especially if major work needs to be completed. Braces, dental implants, and major work such as root canals can become very expensive. Thankfully, there is another option to traditional dental insurance. Discount dental plans are becoming more and more popular among singles, families, the self-employed, and the middle-aged.
There are many situations where discount dental plans are the ideal choice. Perhaps you have an emergency situation and need immediate care. Or, the high cost of dental insurance does not make it worth it for you in the long run. There are some who don't find it worth $50-$200 per month for dental insurance. You may pay only $100-$200 per year for regular cleanings if your teeth are in good shape, and you only need to spend more occasionally when extra dental work is needed.
Self-employed and small business owners may also find dental insurance hard to swallow. Adding more paperwork and payments becomes more of a hassle than a benefit. An employer can offer a Dental Discount Card to employees, and avoid many hassles and paperwork. Some employerw will even buy the card for the employees as a job perk!
Dental discount programs can be a great solution for many situations. Often, there is no or very little paperwork involved, discounts can begin immediately, and there are no co-pays, premiums, or annual limits. Many times, financing for larger purchases can be worked out with the dentist, or an independent finance company. Many people are turning to discount dental plans instead of traditional dental insurance becaus of ease of use and flexibility. Unemployed, Self-Employed, and People with jobs not offering Benefits are all great candidates for dental discount plans.
Both Marilyn Katz & Angela Sullivan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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