Are you eager to save money on professional oral healthcare? You might be thinking about purchasing a dental insurance policy or a dental discount plan. But which should you choose? Either option could help you enjoy a healthy smile at a reasonable price, but they do have some distinct differences. This blog post compares the pros and cons of each so you can make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance plans can vary greatly, but in general, they offer the following benefits:
- Preventive care is covered 100%.
- Restorative care may be 50 – 80% covered.
- If you have a PPO plan, you can use your benefits at virtually any dental practice.
Of course, dental insurance also comes with a few drawbacks, including:
- There may be an annual limit on how much your insurance company is willing to pay out for approved services. Usually, the limit is around $1,000 – $2,000.
- Cosmetic services and some advanced procedures are unlikely to be covered.
- There may be a waiting period of 6 – 12 months before you can receive coverage for restorative services.
Dental Discount Plans
Just like insurance, dental discount plans can have widely varying details. Here is an overview of the advantages you might enjoy with one:
- Usually, preventive care is included at no additional cost.
- You can enjoy a discount on virtually all other services, including those that are not typically covered by insurance.
- There are no waiting periods or annual maximums.
Dental discount plans also have a few disadvantages:
- You will likely have to pay more out of pocket for restorative services than you would with traditional insurance.
- You may be able to use the discount plan at a very limited number of practices.
How Can You Decide?
There is no right or wrong answer when deciding between dental insurance and a dental discount plan. If your teeth are healthy, and you expect to need little more than basic preventive care, a discount plan may be the more economical option. If you travel frequently or need some restorative procedures, insurance might be better for you.
Compare the details of any insurance policies and discount plans that are available to you. Hopefully, you will be able to make a confident decision about which one best suits your needs, preferences, and budget.
Meet the Practice
The highly skilled team of dentists and specialists at Gillis Dental provide top-quality care to the Needham community. We accept more than 200 dental insurance plans, and we offer the Essential Dental discount plan. If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help you save money on a healthy smile, contact our office at 781-202-6357.