Family Dental Health: Questions Answered

By Natasha Gayle

If you’re looking for a way to take care of or improve your family’s dental health, a big question you may have is: Does family dental health insurance really save me money?

It can be helpful and beneficial to many people. It provides savings on your trips to the dental office and Standard Indemnity Plans tend to cover your basic preventative work for free. However, monthly premiums are high. You’ll want to weigh the pros and cons for your situation.

Indemnity and PPO Plans have long waiting periods, but if you are simply preparing for root canals, crowns or braces a year or two in advance, then it could be helpful to you. However, even with a waiting period, the savings may not be as dramatic as you think. Checking out a discount plan is a helpful next step.

So, What is a Discount Plan and How Could it Save Me More on My Family Dental Health than Dental Insurance?

Family dental health plans are more commonly referred to as dental discount plans. Discount plans charge a low monthly fee to become a member and membership gains you access to discounted prices at the dentist. No deductibles. No claims. No maximums. They provide incredible savings and, in many cases, cut a person’s bill in half. Some discount plans average savings of $1200 annually!

When purchasing a PPO or Indemnity plan, one will have a hard time finding the actual savings that plan will provide; whereas discount plans will typically publish their fee schedule for you to see before you buy the plan. Insurance companies will generally have the same savings as dental plans but you’ll be stuck paying quadruple the monthly fee a family dental health plan would cost you!

So, Why Does Anyone Buy Insurance Instead of a Discount Plan?

There are two main reasons people go with dental insurance. One: They want to go to a specific dentist, or, two: because their employer provides it for them. If a family’s preferred dentist doesn’t accept a dental plan, then it may make more sense to go with a family dental health insurance plan.

Also, if you have a policy through your job that covers oral heath, you will want to take advantage of the benefit. However, if it is up to you to take care of your family’s health, a little research will reveal if a discount plan is truly better for your situation.

Most people are looking to save as much money as possible, and usually discount plans do just that. The freedom that discount plans provide is truly unmatched when you compare the real savings to you.

Dental Insurance breaks down when you begin looking at the actual numbers and not just the mesmerizing lure of “free cleanings”. The monthly cost of Insurance is astronomical—something that you typically only use 2-3 times a year at most.

Do some research of your own! Your circumstances will determine what’s best for you, but, in my opinion, a family with dental health needs will find the best solution in a discount dental plan.