Dental Plan - Is It Worth the Cost?

Tip! Get your dog used to tooth cleaning. Using plain gauze or a piece of soft cloth wrapped around your finger, or a dental pad or sponge, dab on some dog toothpaste and gently wipe your dog’s teeth and gums using a circular motion.

If you are not already covered by a dental plan through your employer at little or no cost, you may be thinking about getting one to help you pay for dental care for you or your family. Dental care is getting more and more expensive and you wonder if a dental plan would help to offset some of those costs. There are dozens of plans available and all of them have different deductible options, dentist choices, and coverage alternatives. Which one, if any is right for you? A dental plan can save you a lot of money, or you can end up paying more out of pocket than you would if you had not had the plan. Here are some considerations to make before you choose a dental plan:

What are your out of pocket costs for the dental plan? Most dental insurance plans require a deductible of some sort. However, it is not uncommon on a dental plan that the deductible does not apply for preventative care-which means that preventative care is given for no out of pocket costs except for a co-pay if you have one. A deductible of $50 to $100 is common. Find out if the deductible is per person covered or per family.

Tip! Determine Personal Needs and Objectives - No one likes change, but you must ask yourself if certain components in a dental insurance plan are really a need or a want. You should determine what your objective is in obtaining dental insurance.

Most of the time, the amount of coverage on a dental plan depends on the type of procedure done. Here is an example of how coverage may work:

Preventative care (such as cleaning, fluoride, x-rays, and sealants):
No out of pocket costsBasic care (such as fillings and simple extractions):
Patient pays deductible. Patient pays 20% of all costs after that.

Major care (such as crowns, dentures, complex extractions):
Patient pays deductible. Patient pays 50% of all costs after that.

Many plans also limit the amount of money that they will pay out in a year per patient and per family. Usually it is around $1000 per individual and $2500 per family. If you have pre-existing conditions such as a missing tooth, most plans will not pay for a bridge or repairs.

Tip! Benefit Comparison - There are several questions that you should consider at what time purchasing a dental insurance plan. Here are a few samples to consider.

If you have a favorite dentist, see what plans they accept before you choose a plan.

Multiply the cost of any dental insurance plan by 12 and figure out the yearly cost and then think about what your dental needs will be to see if it will be worth it. Many plans also do not pay claims until after the first year of coverage.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Dental Health. For more information about choosing a dental plan visit fcdental.com