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If you are trying to maintain your oral health, opting for dental insurance is practically a necessity. Decent dental plans ensure you get the dental care you need at the right time, at a more affordable price.
Below, Insurdinary’s experts share the main reasons everyone should consider opting for dental insurance plans, including some surprising benefits beyond better oral health.
Dental coverage works like most other forms of insurance—you pay a monthly premium, and, in return, the insurance company provides a set amount to cover dental work. However, despite the simplicity of this arrangement, dental insurance plans vary considerably.
For example, basic plans might cover 100% of the cost of preventative dental care, such as dental exams. However, these low-level plans may not cover restorative or reconstructive dentistry, like fillings, crowns, or veneers. Other plans cover the entire range, including appointments and surgery, but have a caveat that you must use in-network dental providers.
In the United States, most dental plans will require policyholders to choose a primary care dentist who is "in-network." Typically, any basic plan will cover routine cleaning and inspections every six months. You’ll also have a waiting period after which you can access your benefits.
Like any coverage, dental plans will have a few non-negotiable costs, such as:
Aside from the basic costs, you can also divide your options into these four major types of dental plans, which differ in terms of deductibles, copayments, benefits, and coverage limits:
PPO dental plans have a network of dentists that accept reimbursement. When you choose an in-network dentist, the insurance company covers a portion of the reduced cost. That means you’ll have lower out-of-pocket costs overall.
Most PPO plans specify a copayment, indicating what you must cover out of pocket. You’ll also have to pay a deductible on most dental services before the insurance kicks in and takes care of the remainder of the cost. By far, PPO plans are the most common kind of dental insurance option, accounting for about 85% of private dental insurance plans.
The second type of plan is a DHMO plan, which focuses on lower-cost coverage. These plans typically only cover routine and preventative dental care.
The lower coverage means that DHMO plans are usually cheaper than standard PPO plans. Dentist networks are usually smaller than those in PPO plans.
Discount dental plans allow you a discounted fee from a network of carefully selected dental providers. It differs from other dental plans in that there isn’t paperwork for copayments, deductibles, or reimbursement. Instead, you directly pay the dentist at the discounted rate for each of their services.
Think of a discount dental plan as a VIP membership. You can pay an annual membership fee and, in exchange, receive a lower rate for any dental treatment you require. Since discount networks are typically small, these types of plans are cheaper than PPO plans.
The last option for dental coverage would be a managed fee plan. These managed fee plans are very similar to PPO plans in that you pay a monthly premium and can choose an in-network dentist. The plans also have copayments and deductibles.
The main difference is the network size since managed fee plans have larger networks than most PPO plans. This extended network means out-of-pocket costs for dental care are often a little higher.
Insurance coverage for dental treatment is great for your oral health and wallet. Below are six reasons to consider buying yourself and your family some dental insurance.
Above all, reliable insurance makes it easier for you to protect your oral health. Research shows that people with dental insurance see the dentist more regularly and have better oral health outcomes compared to those without this coverage. More specifically, those with dental coverage will see a dentist every 12 months and are less likely to experience tooth decay and other dental problems.
The peace of mind that comes with insurance takes the stress out of scheduling and paying for routine dental care. In turn, these more regular cleanings remove tartar and plaque buildup—two of the most common causes of oral disease and tooth decay. So, dental coverage streamlines the process of getting dental care.
Aren’t you more likely to schedule an appointment if you’re already paying for the benefit? It is easy to see why individuals with dental insurance have better oral health outcomes.
Another major reason to consider dental insurance is that it can save you money on dental care in the long term. If you need a crown that costs $800 and your dental copayment is 50% of the cost of services, you’ll only have to pay $400 for your dental implant. That’s half what you would have paid without the insurance.
Insurance also saves you money through incentivizing preventative dental care. According to a report by PBS, every dollar spent on preventative dental care can save up to fifty times that on more expensive procedures in the future. So, a plan that covers 100% of routine preventative care may save you quite a lot of money by preventing expensive dental work (or at least delaying it).
People don’t often identify dental issues on their own. With you attending regular appointments covered by insurance, your dentist will be more likely to identify any dental problems you have and fix them before they escalate. During a routine appointment, your dentist will usually look for symptoms of various dental diseases, such as:
The earlier you catch a dental issue, the easier (and cheaper) it is to treat.
Filling cavities and fixing crowns make up a small percentage of what dentists do. Should it surprise you that the majority of dental appointments are for preventative dental care? Think teeth cleanings, inspections, and treatments.
In fact, experts recommend scheduling a dental checkup once every six months to keep the teeth in good condition. This is one reason so many insurance plans focus primarily on encouraging you to take up preventative dental care. From the perspective of any dental insurance company, routine dental care makes financial sense because it prevents expensive procedures.
When you’re looking for individual dental coverage or family dental insurance options, find a plan that covers routine preventative care. Most traditional dental insurance plans suffice.
Oral health shares an important connection with overall health. Dental issues can cause serious systemic issues in the body, mostly because poor oral health allows bacteria in the mouth to enter your bloodstream.
More specifically, poor dental health links to a wide range of issues, including:
One study published in the Scientific Reports journal found that periodontal disease and gum disease increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adults by nearly 49% over a 15-year follow-up period.
Research also shows that children who get regular dental care miss school less and are less likely to have school performance issues. While it could be that these children have more responsible or more affluent parents, it’s still worth pondering how great oral health might connect to a healthier, happier life.
Lastly, the right dental insurance package could be key in giving you the higher quality of life you want. Many people are self-conscious about their teeth, and without insurance, they may not have the money or time to address these issues.
Dental problems like discolored, misshaped, or cracked teeth can affect self-confidence and can make it harder to socialize and navigate daily life. Dental pain makes it harder to eat and can negatively affect concentration while you’re at work. So, regular dental care is pivotal in helping you live your life to the fullest.
With a great smile that’s healthy and well-cared-for, you can be confident in your own skin, and that’s invaluable for a lot of people.
The most common questions we receive about dental coverage appear below.
Insurdinary can help you find the right coverage for your needs. Request a quote today, or contact us with your questions!