As a budget-conscious individual, you may be looking for ways to save on oral healthcare. Either dental insurance or a dental discount plan could help you do that. But which option is better? They both have their pros and cons. This blog post provides some information that you should keep in mind as you are weighing your choices. After reading it, you should be well on your way to making a wise decision for your family.
Dental Insurance
You can purchase dental insurance on your own or through an employer. There are a number of different types of plans, so it is important to pay attention to the little details when you are learning about your benefits. Many PPO dental insurance plans offer the following advantages:
- Preventive care is 100% covered.
- Restorative care is 50 – 80% covered.
- You can use your benefits at virtually all dental practices, regardless of whether they are in your network.
Dental insurance also often comes with some drawbacks:
- There may be an annual maximum (a limit that your insurer places on how much they will pay for approved services within a calendar year).
- There may be a waiting period before you can use your benefits for certain restorative services.
Dental Discount Plans
A dental discount plan may be offered by a third-party company, or it might be specific to a single practice. With a discount plan, you might get to enjoy the following perks:
- Preventive care is often included in the cost of the plan.
- Discount plans frequently cost less than traditional insurance.
- You can get a discount on virtually any services, including those that are not always covered by traditional insurance. For example, you might get to take advantage of reduced prices for cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and veneers.
- There are no waiting plans or annual maximums.
Some common disadvantages of dental discount plans include:
- You will likely pay more out of pocket for restorative services than you would with insurance.
- You can only use your plan at certain practices.
How Can You Decide?
Whether you should choose a dental discount plan or insurance depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. If your oral health is in good shape, a dental discount plan might be better. If you travel frequently or need some restorative care for your smile, you may get more value from traditional insurance. Whichever path you choose, you can look forward to receiving high-quality treatment at a reasonable price!
Meet the Practice
The team at the Center for Contemporary Dentistry is proud to provide comprehensive oral care for members of our community. We offer the Essential Dental discount plan, and we accept more than 200 different dental insurance plans. To learn how we may be able to help you save money on a healthy smile, contact our Belmont office at 603-556-7047.