Dental Insurance vs. Dental Discount Plans: What’s best for you?
I may earn a commission from the companies mentioned in this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
Taking care of your dental health is important, but it can also be expensive. That's where dental insurance and dental discount plans come in. Both can help you save money on dental care, but they work in different ways. Let's take a closer look at dental insurance and dental discount plans, and the pros and cons of each.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is a type of insurance that covers some or all of the cost of dental procedures. It typically works by paying a monthly premium, and then paying a percentage of the cost of dental procedures. The percentage varies depending on the plan, and some plans also have deductibles and annual maximums.
Pros:
Dental insurance can provide comprehensive coverage for a variety of dental procedures, including preventive care, fillings, and even major procedures like root canals.
Some plans allow you to choose your own dentist.
If you have dental insurance through your employer, your premiums may be subsidized, making it more affordable.
Cons:
Dental insurance can be expensive, especially if you're paying for it yourself.
Some plans have waiting periods before certain procedures are covered.
Many plans have annual maximums, which means you may have to pay out of pocket for procedures that exceed the limit.
Dental Discount Plans
Dental discount plans, on the other hand, provide discounts on dental procedures instead of covering the cost directly. These plans typically require you to pay an annual fee, and then provide discounts on dental procedures at participating providers.
Pros:
Dental discount plans can be more affordable than dental insurance, with annual fees as low as $80.
There are usually no waiting periods or annual maximums.
Many plans offer discounts on a wide range of dental procedures.
Cons:
Dental discount plans may not cover as many procedures as dental insurance.
You may be limited to using participating providers.
Discounts may not be as substantial as insurance coverage.
So, which option is best for you? It depends on your personal circumstances and dental needs. If you have ongoing dental issues or require major procedures, dental insurance may be the best option to provide comprehensive coverage. On the other hand, if you only need routine dental care and want to save money on procedures, a dental discount plan may be a more affordable option. It's important to research and compare plans carefully to determine which one is right for you.