Dental care is an integral part of your health care. Dental treatments and procedures are expensive but that does not mean they are out of your reach. Now you don’t have to worry about big dental bills or expensive dental treatments. Dental savings plans can help you save on dental expenses such as:
These are easy and affordable plans designed for your dental care. Review what’s available to you today!
What Are Dental Savings Plans?
Dental savings plans also known as dental discount plans are affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional dental insurance. It is like having a club membership card and getting a members-only discount. With this dental savings plan, you can save from 10% to 60% on dental care.
Dental care is expensive and sometimes your insurance will not cover the cost of your dental procedures. During such conditions, having a dental savings plan, understanding your dental needs and costs can be a smart move to save on your budget.
Our Dental Care Cost Estimator and Savings Calculator can help you to calculate procedure costs and savings.
Dental Savings Plans vs Dental Insurance Plans
Dental insurance is generally offered by an insurance company. In this, you need to pay a monthly premium to get the benefits of reduced treatment costs and affordable copays. These plans have annual deductibles and coverage limits.
On the other hand, dental savings plans are offered by consumer groups that cover a wide network of dentists providing dental services at a reduced rate. In this dental discount plan, you pay a one-time enrollment fee or a monthly fee. There is no paperwork in these plans, hence there is reduced administration, meaning lower costs.
| Features | Dental Savings Plans | Dental Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual spending limits | Do not have a spending limit and can be used as much as needed | Limited annual spending |
| Plan activation | Done quickly, typically within 72 hours | Takes time, there will be a 6 to 12 months waiting period |
| Paperwork for claims | Not needed | Needed |
| Cosmetic dental treatments | Covered | Not Covered |
| Pre-existing dental treatment | Covered | Not Covered |
How do dental savings plans work?
With a dental savings plan, you get a discount of 10% to 60% on services by dentists within the plan’s network. You will pay a yearly fee of $100 to $300 without any deductibles, maximums or any waiting periods. In particular, these dental plans can be helpful during expensive dental procedures.
You can check the plan’s fee schedule which includes a list of dental treatments, typical costs, and the available discounted rates to see how much you will save on specific procedures. After joining a plan, you gain access to a network of thousands of participating dentists who have agreed to offer reduced rates to plan members. You pay the discounted rate directly to the dentist when you receive dental care.
Who might need a dental savings plan?
Even if you have insurance coverage it might fall short for some expensive dental procedures. In such conditions, a dental savings plan can provide a 50% to 60% discount on the cost. A dental savings plan can be a great option for senior citizens who don’t have insurance coverage.
When you have a large family, a dental discount plan can cover the whole family and everyone can get the benefits. Dental savings plans are good options as they don’t have deductibles, annual spending limits or waiting periods for restorative care as the cost difference becomes even more apparent.
What All Does A Dental Savings Plan Cover?
Check specific plan details to be sure, but the majority of dental savings plans offer discounts on:
- Preventive care such as checkups, cleanings and bitewing x-rays.
- Restorative care to treat dental problems, and replace damaged or missing teeth.
- Dental specialists including endodontics (root canals), orthodontics (braces), pediatrics (dental care for children) and prosthodontics (dentures, bridges and dental implants.)
- Cosmetic treatments such as tooth whitening and overlays.
- Additional discounts: many plans include savings on prescription medications, vision and hearing care, and other healthcare services.
How do I know what dental savings plan is right for me?
Decide what’s most important to you:
- Do you want a plan that your current dentist accepts, or one widely accepted by dentists near you?
- Do you need the best savings possible on specific types of dental care (such as braces or dental implants)?
- Do you have good dental health and just want the best overall dental discounts in your location?
When you’ve identified your needs, review the plan description and fee schedules. You may want to use a dedicated dental savings plan search tool to quickly sort through your options.
Conclusion
Dental savings plans allow you to save a lot of money on most of your dental care services. Depending on your overall dental health and financial condition you can choose the best dental savings plan. Make your smile beautiful and affordable by choosing the right dental savings plan for you.
Terminology
Annual maximum/annual savings cap: The amount of coverage dental insurance offers annually, typically $1,000-$1,500.
Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost of a dental service that you pay out-of-pocket.
Copay: A flat fee you pay for a dental service covered by insurance.
Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
In-network: Dentists who offer negotiated low rates to people with a particular insurance policy.
Participating providers: Dentists who accept a specific dental savings plan.
Pre-existing conditions: Any dental problems that you had before getting dental insurance.
“Missing tooth clause”: A term used by dental insurance companies, indicating the policy doesn’t cover treatment to restore teeth missing prior to purchasing the policy.
Waiting period: The length of time that must pass before major dental procedures are covered by dental insurance.