An Introduction to Individual Dental Plans

There are millions of Americans without health insurance. In fact it is seen as an increasing problem throughout the country because today’s employers are under heavier financial strains than ever before and are continually reducing or entirely eliminating employee benefits of all kinds.

In addition to a limited amount of health insurance, many people are also facing absolutely no access to affordable dental care as well. This too is because a lack of coverage from their insurance company or employers.

While many insurance companies make a dental insurance plan available, a thorough review of them demonstrates that they are costly, full of limitations and restrictions, and not usually worth the time to fill out all of the paperwork.

This is the primary reason so many people are taking memberships in individual dental plans. They are available around the country, ask for very reasonable fees, and provide a guaranteed discount on almost any kind of dental procedure imaginable.

Many consumers wonder if these plans can replace their current dental insurance plan, and the answer involves a little effort on the part of the consumer. Not all insurance policies come at the same rate and extend the same out of pocket prices, so it behooves the consumer to do a side by side comparison of the following:

• Total monthly/annual premium
• Total discounted costs on procedures
• Any waiting periods, maximum amounts or pre-existing condition limits
• Pre-approval and claim form requirements

This is usually an illuminating exercise as it traditionally shows that both the family and individual dental plans are superior in every way to traditional dental insurance coverage.

Here’s an example:

Person A has an individual dental plan that costs $100 each year. They get two cleanings that cost them a total of $90 per year. Total out of pocket: $190.

Person B has coverage from an individual dental insurance plan and pays $750 each year for the coverage. They too get two cleanings each year which cost them a total of $75 per year. Total out of pocket: $840.

Clearly anyone interested in getting basic care would opt for the family and individual dental plans, but what about those who require some expanded services? Another illustration would still demonstrate the superiority of the low cost dental plans:

Person A has an individual dental plan that costs $100 each year. They get two cleanings that cost them a total of $90 per year, and they also require a full porcelain filling that costs them an additional $115. Total out of pocket: $305.

Person B has coverage from an individual dental insurance plan and pays $750 each year for the coverage. They too get two cleanings each year which cost them a total of $75 per year, and also get that same porcelain filling at a cost of $105. Total out of pocket: $945.

If discount dental plans are so superior, many might ask, why don’t many employers extend such memberships to their employees? This would be like asking an employer to provide a membership to a warehouse store a national organization like AAA. Discount dental plans are networks of cooperating dental professionals who lock in prices for members of the plans. This is something far outside the realm of traditional insurance companies, and the very reason why the pricing for such a product is so remarkably reasonable.