A healthy smile is important, so you should invest in professional oral care for your family. There are a couple of different provisions that can help you save money while you are doing so. For example, you may choose to get a dental insurance policy or a dental discount plan. Is one option better than the other? This blog post aims to help you compare your choices.
Dental Insurance
Every dental insurance policy comes with its own unique details, so you will have to thoroughly examine any benefits plan that is available to you. In the meantime, here is an overview of some of the advantages you can enjoy with most standard PPO policies:
- Preventive care is usually 100% covered. This includes services like exams, cleanings, and X-rays.
- You may have to pay just 20 – 50% of the cost of restorative services, depending on whether a particular procedure is considered to be minor or major.
- You can use your policy at virtually any dental practice, regardless of whether or not they participate in the plan’s network.
Of course, dental insurance also has a few downsides:
- PPO policies tend to have an annual maximum, which puts a limit on how much the insurance company will pay out for approved services within a calendar year. Often, the limit is around $1000.
- You may need to wait 6 – 12 months after purchasing your policy before it will cover certain restorative services.
- Some popular services may not be covered, such as orthodontia, dental implants, and cosmetic procedures.
Dental Discount Plans
Just like insurance, dental discount plans can vary greatly in their details. Here is an overview of some of the benefits you might enjoy:
- Usually, preventive care requires no additional out-of-pocket payments.
- You can enjoy a significant discount on virtually all other services, including those that are not usually covered by traditional insurance.
- There are no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums.
A few downsides that you might encounter with dental discount plans include:
- The discounts you enjoy may not be as robust as the coverage you could get with insurance.
- You can only use your plan at certain practices (some discount plans are limited to a single practice).
Which Should You Choose?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between dental insurance and dental discount plans. It all depends on your needs and preferences. Take a close look at your options so you can make the best decision for your family.
Meet the Practice
The expert team at Torrington Dental Care provides top-quality oral health services at reasonable prices. We accept more than 200 different insurance policies, and we also offer the Essential Dental discount plan. If you are curious about how we can help you save money on a strong and healthy smile, reach out to us at 860-492-4346.