Taking care of your oral health is important, but so is managing your budget. In order to accomplish both, you might be thinking about buying a dental insurance policy or a dental discount plan. But which option is better? Both have their pros and cons. Read this blog post to discover an overview of each; hopefully, it will help you decide which provision is a better fit for your family.
Dental Insurance
There are a few different types of dental insurance, and each policy comes with its own unique set of stipulations. Therefore, you will need to closely examine the details of any plan that is available to you. In the meantime, here is an overview of some of the benefits that often come with PPO dental insurance:
- Preventive care is 100% covered. This means you may be able to enjoy cleanings, exams, and other basic services for nothing out of pocket.
- Restorative care is 50 – 80% covered. The level of coverage depends on whether a procedure is considered to be minor or major.
- You can visit any dentist. A PPO dental plan can allow you to visit any dental practice, regardless of whether they are in your insurance company’s network.
Dental insurance also has a few drawbacks:
- There may be a waiting period before you can receive coverage for certain restorative services.
- Cosmetic services and some advanced procedures are rarely covered.
- You may have an annual deductible, which places a limit on how much your insurance company will pay within a calendar year.
Dental Discount Plans
Just like insurance, dental discount plans can vary greatly in their details, so you should be sure to take a close look at whatever plan is available to you. Most discount arrangements offer these perks:
- No additional charge for preventive care. You should be able to keep up with cleanings and exams for nothing out of pocket.
- Fewer limitations. Dental discount plans do not have annual maximums, deductibles, or waiting periods.
- Broad coverage. Usually, dental discount plans are applicable to all (or almost all) services, including ones that are not often covered by insurance.
Dental discount plans also have a few disadvantages:
- You can only use your benefits at specific practices.
- The discount you receive may be quite a bit less than what you would enjoy with regular insurance.
Making Your Choice
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between dental insurance and dental discount plans. Carefully consider the policies and plans that are open to you so you can settle on the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
Meet the Practice
Willow Run Dental Association provides top-quality general oral health services to our community. We offer the Essential Dental discount plan, and we accept more than 200 different insurance policies. If you are curious about our pricing or about how we can help you save money on a healthy smile, contact our Auburn office at 207-352-2825. We look forward to speaking with you!