Dental care is more and more expensive as time goes by, this is a reality. Most people might feel tempted to leave dental care aside and put it off, what do they need it for? Teeth are durable, who needs dental insurance or dental plans? They already have to bear with house insurance, car insurance, business equipment insurance, dental insurance can wait. But this is not how it should work. Actually, dental health insurance is not really that expensive, and people will benefit terribly from it.
What is the different between a dental health plan and dental insurance? Wait, are they not the same thing? No, they are not. They are two very different things, though many do not know that. And by not knowing, they are missing out on the great benefits these two financial products have to offer if combined.
Dental Insurance
This insurance product had been designed to cover the costs of dental care. It will partially or fully cover your dental care bills. By having dental insurance, you will eliminate the risk factor of a dental emergency arising and not having the money to pay for the dental procedure. Not only are these procedures extremely expensive, but also having to live with a cracked tooth or molar, for example, can be very painful.
It has been often said that regular dental insurance has many drawbacks. Deductibles are often high and maximum per year might be low, but it can save your neck in case of an emergency. Even if you have to make co-payments on the procedures, it will be better than having to pay them in full.
Other cons include the fact that dental insurance will often only cover routine check-ups, cleanings, x-rays and such, which is not very useful, as they might already be inexpensive. Most dental insurance companies will not cover cosmetic procedures or orthodontic procedures.
Dental Health Plan
Dental health plans or discount health plans are often thought of as an alternative to regular dental insurance. An annual fee is charged in exchange for discounted prices on quality dental care. These plans are activated on the very same day you apply for them, thus avoiding long waiting periods and hassles. Anyone can apply, an individual or a family group, there are no age limits, so even if you are 80 years old, you will be able to start getting discounts on your dental procedures. Consumers might get as much as 35% off of retail price on these procedures.
Another great advantage these plans have to offer, is that they include treatment for pre-existent conditions. Most dental insurance companies do not allow that.
Of course, not everything is bright and shiny. In case of a real accident, let us say a bicycle accident or car accident, your dental insurance would probably cover most of your medical bills. The best thing the dental plan would do for you in a situation of the sort is give you a discount on the procedures. These two financial products offer many advantages if used separately, but if you have the chance to combine them, you will be saving hundreds, and probably thousands os dollars on dental bills every year.
