DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS
A dental discount plan might be a good alternative to dental insurance that is both appealing and affordable. Some people who already have dental insurance find that adding a dental discount plan helps them save even more. They are usually very cheap, don't have waiting periods, and cover many procedures that traditional dental insurance doesn't, like cosmetic and orthodontic work.
DENTAL INSURANCE
There are some problems with traditional dental insurance. With high premiums, high deductibles, and low yearly maximums, it may be hard to see how a dental insurance plan saves any money at all. A lot of dental insurance plans cover routine care like checkups, cleanings, and simple x-rays in a big way. Even so, these services are usually not too expensive.
When a family needs more coverage, they may be surprised by how much they have to pay out of pocket. Complex fillings and crowns often still require large copayments, and many dental insurance companies do not cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or dentures at all!
Some problems with many dental insurance plans are the following:
There are limits, deductibles, and annual caps.
How long you have to wait for major dental work
The written claims process is tedious and takes a lot of time.
Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions
Some types of dentistry, like cosmetic dentistry, are rarely covered.
People pay expensive monthly premiums for coverage that is clear.
Most people and families can't get them unless their employer gives them to them.
Discount Dental Plans have some of the following traits:
Members get discounts on most dental services all year long, with no limits on how much they can save.
Most plans start working right away, within 1 to 3 business days, and there are no waiting periods!
There's no tedious paperwork, and you just show your membership card to get discounts on most dental services.
There are no age or health restrictions.
Some plans offer discounts on dental specialties like orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.
People pay low membership fees to join a network of dentists who offer discounts on most of their services.
Individuals, families, businesses, and groups can get it directly.
Many families who have dental insurance through their jobs find that adding a dental discount plan gives them more freedom and saves them more money. This is because the discount dental plan may cover services that dental insurance does not. The dental discount plans work with a huge network of dentists in the US. This makes it easier for some families to find a dentist who is close by.
When you have a dental plan, it's easy to find a dentist. They make it easy to search online by dentist name or zip code. You can ask your current dentist if he or she accepts the plan, or you can look for a new dentist in your area.
Many families who don't have dental insurance at work put off regular dental care because they are worried about the cost. But you should never do this. If someone doesn't get regular checkups and cleanings, they will have worse problems in the future. Many discount dental plans even cover checkups, cleanings, and x-rays for free or for a very low price.
Some dental plans also give discounts on other types of health care. They set up deals with eye care providers, pharmacies, vitamin stores, and other places that people need for their health. Since most dental plans only cost a few dollars a month, most of them will pay for themselves and then some.
