Get Dental Insurance for You and Your Loved Ones

Dental care continues to increase in costs, especially in the United States. Between 1996 and 2016, the average cost of dental care increased by 59%. In 2016, the average person spent $313.37 on dental care, while geriatric patients spent approximately $451.02.

Other nations, such as Canada, have programs to reduce these costs. Starting in 2022, the Universal Dental Care Canada Program made universal dental care available in phases. What began as universal health insurance quickly expanded to dental services, with children under 12 already receiving Canada Dental Benefit eligibility. While all services may not be “free,” eligible covered services include the following:

• Diagnostic and preventative services
• Restorative, endodontic, and periodontal services
• Prosthodontic and orthodontic services
• Surgery and adjunctive services

Without universal dental care, people must rely on private dental insurance plans for peace of mind and protection against high-expense dental emergencies. The average dental insurance plan in the U.S. costs $20 to $50 a month for standalone plans, equating to up to $600 annually.

Expenses rise beyond these averages with non-covered treatments and emergency scenarios. For example, if you lose a tooth, a single dental implant can cost over $2,000. If your child needs braces, you can expect to pay up to $5,000.

Without dental insurance, routine visits and unexpected costs can quickly deplete your savings. One in five low-income U.S. adults cannot receive the dental services they need due to the cost of care, resulting in poor dental health.

Insurdinary wants to help you and your family find the dental coverage you need that aligns with your budget so you can prioritize your oral health.

The United States dental care system, as an example, is complex and for-profit, unlike other nations with universal health and dental coverage policies. Rather than the government guiding and funding the model, dozens of individual insurance companies compete to provide coverage. You pay a monthly premium to your insurance company, and in exchange, they cover part or all of your dental cleanings, checkups, and restorative procedures like crowns, fillings, and more.

Because of this competitive model, the cost of dental insurance continually rises while the services and outcomes remain the same. Only 70% of Americans under 65 have dental insurance, with approximately 77 million citizens compromising their oral health without coverage. By comparison in Canada, a reported 64.6% of people have all or part of their dental needs covered.

You have a few dental insurance options to choose from, depending on eligibility:

• Employer-sponsored dental insurance
• Private dental insurance (Fee-for-service plans, PPOs, DHMOs)
• Referral or discount plans
• Exclusive provider organizations (EPOs)

Many people combine their dental and health insurance plans from a single provider for savings and convenience. You may also stack dental plans if you wish to have multiple layers of coverage. With dental insurance stacking, you will have a secondary plan that kicks in if your primary plan does not cover the services you require.