Not all dental plans are equal. Obviously not everyone will want the same dental coverage or care – whether dental insurance or a dental plan. However, there are marks of quality dental plans or insurance that benefit anyone. The following list includes 14 considerations when looking for some form of dental cost-relief. The following covers both dental insurance and discount dental plans – sort of pros and cons for each. If you’re not sure about the difference between the two, check out my article Dental Insurance vs Dental Plans – What’s the Difference?
Please note that coverage refers to insurance and discounts refers to dental plans.
14 considerations when shopping for dental care cost relief:
1. Large dentist network in your area:
Obviously in a city you’ll have more choice; however, good dental insurance plans have a large dentist network that offers you choices in your area.
2. Premium / membership Cost:
Quality dental insurance plans or discount dental plans aren’t necessarily the cheapest. Look at the terms, coverage (for insurance) or discounts (for dental plans). In fact, go through this list and find out what dental coverage criteria is most important to you. When comparing cost, be sure to look at the percentage of coverage, deductibles (avoid if you can), rates of the discounts with dental plans, and the number of routine procedures covered each year.
3. Coverage / discounts for preventative and reparative dental work:
Quality dental insurance and discount dental plans include provisions for routine dental work such as check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays (preventative work) and reparative work such as root canals, crowns, tooth extractions, cosmetic, etc.
4. Coverage / discounts no matter where you are in the USA:
If you’re on a trip and you need dental help immediately, quality dental insurance will cover you visiting a dentist (in the network) no matter where you are. Dental plans too should offer the discount pricing to dentists in your membership network throughout the USA.
5. Coverage / discounts for routine dental procedures:
Some dental insurance policies only cover the unexpected, non-routine dental procedures.
Quality dental plans include significant savings (if a plan) or pay a handsome percentage (if insurance) of the routine dental procedures such as checkups, fillings, and X-rays.
6. No deductible:
Quality dental insurance policies have low or no deductibles for the year (in my view – I don’t like deductibles). For example, a deductible may require you to pay $100 before the dental plan pays. What this means is if all you’re getting is a check-up for the year, you won’t bother collecting on your dental plan. One advantage to a discount dental plan over insurance is you don’t pay a deductible. You enjoy the discounted cost for dental work.
7. No administrative hassles:
Quality dental insurance will pay your dentist its portion rather than you paying the full cost and then submitting receipts and a claim form to the dental insurer for reimbursement. The convenience of you not having to claim for reimbursement cannot be overstated. I know because I’ve had both types of plans.
A quality discount dental plan will spare you any paperwork per dentist visit as well. All you should have to do is present your plan membership card when attending to your dentist.
8. Orthodontics included:
This will obviously increase your premiums significantly; however, if you have kids, orthodontic coverage is definitely dental coverage you want. With respect to dental plans – look to see if orthodontics discount pricing is included. This may be hard to find. You may not find it and may have to opt for insurance.
9. Cosmetic dentistry included:
If you think you’ll want teeth whitening or want a policy that will do cosmetic dental work if your mouth is damaged, then look carefully at the policy to see which procedures and in what circumstances cosmetic procedures are covered (and how much in percentage is covered). Some discount dental plans include cosmetic dental work as well. If this is a feature you wish to have, look for it expressly included.
10. No annual limits:
Quality dental insurance policies don’t have an annual cap on coverage. I value no caps because the point of insurance is peace of mind and strong financial management. If a huge dental bill comes in and you have to pay a big part of it, then what’s the point of that dental plan? That said, no cap means expensive premiums. Dental plans, on the other hand, can offer no cap on spending. You enjoy the discount prices no matter the amount of work you have done.
11. No pre-approvals for dental procedures needed:
You don’t want dental insurance that requires you get approved for procedures. This adds to the administrative hassle and puts all the decision-making power with the insurer. Dental plans don’t require pre-approvals. The discount is applied to the cost of whatever work you opt for.
12. Health restrictions:
Maybe now you don’t have health restrictions, but can you be denied renewal if you develop health issues? Quality dental insurance plans don’t have health restrictions. Health restrictions is typically not a consideration when applying for dental plans.
13. No referral to a dental specialist required
Sometimes your dental work requires a specialist. Quality dental insurance plans don’t require a referral from a regular dentist and/or family doctor to a dental specialist. With respect to dental plans, you’ll have to look at the plan with respect to specialist discounts.
14. No background checks:
I would avoid a dental insurance policy that requires a background check. I’m not big on insurance companies having an authorization on file permitting them to access my private information. Typically, discount dental plans do not do background checks.
Will you qualify:
When applying for dental insurance, see whether you’ll qualify. Some plans do background checks (I’d avoid these) and of course have other parameters, such as pre-existing and age restrictions that will get you denied. I’m not saying to skip every plan you may not qualify, but if you obviously don’t qualify, don’t waste your time.
If the cost, restrictions, or qualification for dental insurance is a concern to you – seriously consider a discount dental plan instead.
Obviously not all the dental plan criteria above will be important to you. Choose the criteria that are most important to you and then make your dental plan selection. Actually, why not apply to a few dental plans if they fit the bill and make your selection after you receive approvals.
