Dental insurance alternatives: save money with discount dental plans!

Good and quality dental care is very important for all individuals and families. Do you not agree? Well, we’ll see what you will say when you wake up at night bombarded by a severe pain originating from a carious tooth. Even if you have excellent oral hygiene habits, you need the professional dental treatment to keep your smile healthy. 

Unfortunately, the prices of quality dental care are rather high and their costs continue to spiral upward each year. Just having a simple exam and hygiene cleaning can put a strain on your bank account. And when you get more expensive dental procedures like root canals, orthodontics, dentures and crowns, you will have to pay up to several thousands of dollars.

In order to minimize the costs of dental care, it makes sense to have some form of dental insurance. It is typically provided to individuals and families by their employers. He or she pays the premium to have their employees oral care covered. For an individual, a premium is about $35 per month. Coverage for a family can cost over $100 per month. 

However, in today’s uncertain economic environment many employers are cutting back the benefits they provide. They can either minimize your coverage or just cancel it. The lack of dental insurance often results in going to the dentist less and risking dental health. That’s why many people start browsing online resources to find any affordable alternatives to dental insurance. 

The most common solution to get the dental care for less cost is a discount dental plan. So if you are one of the nearly 46-million Americans who don’t have dental insurance, or if you don't have enough coverage to keep your teeth healthy, then it is necessary to pay attention to this program. 
A discount dental plan is designed for people who want to reduce their oral care bills. Dental treatment is a big part of being healthy. It has been discovered that poor oral care can lead to serious health problems in the body, for example depressions and diabetes. 

A discount dental plan offers a wonderful opportunity to start a regimen of regular dental visits to prevent numerous health problems and costly treatment in the future. 

A discount dental plan vs. dental insurance

There is often confusion between dental insurance plans and dental discount programs. It is necessary to understand that they are two different things. You should learn the difference between them because each one has its advantages and disadvantages.  

Discount dental plans, also called low cost dental plans, are not actually insurance. It is a complex program designed to reduce dental care costs by offering lower prices for hygiene visits, exams, fillings, cleanings, orthodontics, root canals, crowns and other dental procedures. Members simply show their dental discount plan ID card, and receive bills with a lowered price. The savings can vary from 10 to 60 %. 

For example, a root canal typically costs $900. But with your discount dental plan you can get a root canal for just $400 at a participating dentist. The pre-arranged discount rates are often displayed prior to purchasing a discount dental plan. So you have an opportunity to compare the typical savings of each procedure under various programs. 

Discount dental plans are very cost-effective. You can find programs that charge $5-$10 per month per an individual covered or $15-$20 per month for all household members. If you have kids, you are responsible for their health! 

Discount dental plans are much more flexible than dental insurances. You can visit your dentist as often as you like without worrying whether the visit will be covered. You can have a particular procedure performed as often as you like. If you need to see a specialist, go ahead and make an appointment! 

With a discount dental insurance, you don’t need to fill out numerous forms. And you can get oral treatment in spite of pre-existing health conditions or age limitations. On the contrary, dental insurance may limit the number and sorts of dental procedures which are covered and limit the amount of services you can receive within a year.

Dental insurances are often subject to deductibles and co-pays. It’s not unusual to find out that you have to pay for the procedures out of your own pocket, fill out and submit a claim form, and then wait for a reimbursement for 1–6 months. 

You should also check your dental insurance policy for yearly caps on the amount you will be reimbursed for different services, so that you can schedule your dental visits according to them. Dental insurance typically has an annual maximum of $750-$2000 for dental procedures, depending on the policy.

On the other hand, dental insurance is considered as a part of the risk management. It helps to cover any risks that may lead to your personal financial collapse. A toothache is one of such risks. A dental discount program offers just a reduction of dental treatment costs, but if the price of the procedures is very high, it won’t mean much. 

For example, facial injuries that involve damages to teeth and jaws can be very costly even with a 50% discount. But dental insurance covers such unpredictable costs. It will pay a part of your dentist's bill (if your dental service is considered as a covered expense, if you have paid your deductible, and if the amount is less than coverage maximum).

Such dental procedures as dental surgery, dentures, implants and orthodontic work are not likely to be included in dental insurance. On the contrary, a typical discount plan will get you a reduced bill for nearly any dental service. So if you think that you or your family member will need major dental work in the future, consider a discount dental plan which will offer these procedures at a significant reduction to their regular costs.

Another important concern is that having a discount dental plan you need to pay your dentist at time of service. Due to the deepening recession, slumping home values and unemployment many people can’t afford to pay for dental care right away. We live in the time of financial crisis and we need to admit that such situation is possible. 

How to find a suitable discount dental plan  

Thanks to the Internet, now we can find information online about virtually anything. As with any other type of financial choice, the key to a suitable discount dental plan is to shop around. Differences in the discount programs can be quite significant. Take your time to find out what is offered, gather necessary information, and then you will be able to choose the discount dental plan that fits your needs and budget. 

Before purchasing any discount dental plan, it is essential to do your homework. Make a list of dental procedures you think you will need in the future. Do the same for all other people who will be enrolled in the discount dental plan. If you want to choose your own dentist, don't buy a discount dental plan that doesn't give you an opportunity to choose.
The following sites will help you find more information about dental treatment, discount dental plans and dental insurance:
•    National Association of Dental Plans
•    Dental Plans
•    American Dental Association
•    Academy of General Dentistry

Another way to search for a suitable discount dental plan is by asking around for references. Chances are that your friends, relatives or co-workers may have a discount dental plan. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Due to the present-day economic facts, we need to think about the most affordable types of insurance that will let us save money and get necessary protection. Getting quality and dental care is easier with a discount dental plan. It is a good choice due to its low monthly payments and the pre-determined price of dental procedures.