Why Dental Insurance Is Important: 3 Key Points

Why Dental Insurance Is Important

You probably know this feeling well: Another 6 months just pass by and before you know it, your bi-yearly dentist checkup is right around the corner. While most people understand the importance of maintaining good physical health and undergoing regular physical examinations, we rarely extend the same considerations to our teeth. And the truth is, good dental care is important for our overall physical health. And since dental health is so important, you might be wondering if dental insurance also proves beneficial for you.

The Importance of Dental Insurance

1. Pay For Expensive Dental Care

Dental care could mean twice a year visit for teeth checkup and cleaning or thousands of dollar bill in oral surgery.

Problems can arise unexpectedly— whether you take extra care to 30-second mouthwash gargle or floss every day or not. And the best way to prevent your wallet from suffering those extra costs is to have preventive coverage for your dentist visits. Most dental insurance plans can pay either all or a good fraction of the cost for dental procedures.

2. Maintain a Good Oral Health

Another way to prevent finding yourself paying thousands of dollars in dental care is to stay up-to-date and get regular visitations to your dental clinic for your mouth’s overall health.

Regular checkups and teeth cleanings, ensure that your oral health is being observed by a professional. And most dental insurance plans will cover regular checkups that will ultimately pay off in the long run.

3. Your Peace of Mind

Dental insurance, at the very least, is an insurance that will keep your smile protected. Should anything happen to your teeth at any given time, for instance, an accident that cause broken or loose teeth, your insurance will have your back.

Dental Insurance Types

A typical dental insurance plan falls into one of these 3 categories:

1. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)

With this, you are required to see a specific dental provider in the insurance network. HMO plans are the best if you do not anticipate the need of any major dental procedures and treatments in the future. Also, it is great if you have no preferences for your provider as long as the basic dental work is financially covered.

2. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

With PPO plans, you pay lower fees in order to see particular “preferred” or in-network providers. It uses a network of dentists who agreed to provide dental services for set fees. The number of dental services that are covered will depend on the plan.

In addition, the insurance network pays more than they might with HMO or indemnity plan. You are not required to see in-network providers, but you can save money if you do. This plan is best for those who do not need major dental procedures right away but wishes to be prepared for the future.

3. Fee-For-Service or Indemnity Plan

This dental insurance plan allows you to pick your dental provider and the plan pays a percentage of the provider’s fee. The deductible or amount you pay for dental procedures before the insurance coverage comes may be lower than other plans. In addition, the yearly maximum coverage limit can be higher.

Dental Insurance Coverage Types

1. Preventive

This includes routine cleanings and checkups for preventive dental care which are 100 percent covered. In addition, sealants, X-rays, and fluorides can also be deemed as basic or preventive dental procedures. This will depend upon the specific insurance carrier.

2. Restorative or Basic

This usually consists of simple extractions, dental fillings and periodontal works are 70 – 80 percent covered. Root canals, on the other hand, can be basic or major, however the majority of dental plants list this as basic coverage.

3. Major

This includes surgical extractions, dentures, bridges, implants, and crowns. Most dental insurance companies cover about 50 percent or less for major procedures.

Since dental insurance providers are different, it’s imperative that you clarify the dental procedures that fall under each category. It’s important since some insurance plans do not cover major procedures and others even have waiting periods for particular procedures.