Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Dental Discount Plans Versus Traditional Dental Plans

Sunday, February 9th

Dental Discount Plans Versus Traditional Dental Plans

Dental work is, without a doubt, expensive.

Routine preventative check-ups that include an exam and cleaning can cost over $100. Throw in a few x-rays and fillings if cavities are discovered, and patients can easily walk out of the dentist's office owing a couple hundred dollars.

If you are not one of the lucky people who have dental insurance included as part of a comprehensive healthcare package through your employer, you may want to consider purchasing one on your own. Dental plans, unlike individual healthcare plans, are very affordable and the annual premiums are more stable than those of their healthcare policy counterparts. A decent dental insurance plan can cost anywhere from $7 a month to $30 a month, depending on the kind of coverage individuals which to include in the plan.

When shopping around for dental insurance on your own, it is important to know that there are two kinds of plans: dental discount plans and traditional dental plans. Let's discuss both in detail to help you determine which plan is best for your needs.

Dental Discount Plans

It is important to note, right from the start of this discussion, that dental discount plans aren't actually dental insurance, per se. While dental insurance offers deductibles, co-pays or even set reimbursement for dental procedures, a dental discount plan does exactly what it sounds like it does - provides dental services as a discounted rate.

Dental discount plans allow patients to visit participating dental providers on the list, who have agreed to provide dental services at a discounted rate. These plans usually come with a monthly or annual charge to participate.

These kinds of plans eliminate costly billing procedures, paperwork, annual limits on coverage and deductibles or co-pays. There is no waiting period before being approved for coverage and no exclusions due to age or pre-existing dental conditions.

However, there are some downsides to this kind of plan. Patients who use them must visit a participating provider in order to take full advantage of their benefits. They also may find themselves paying more out-of-pocket for dental services than they would with a traditional dental insurance plan.

Traditional Dental Plans

Traditional dental plans include Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) or fee-for-service options.

Under a PPO, patients visit dentists who have agreed to accept payment at contracted rates from the insurer. PPOs generally include a deductible which must be met prior to services being covered. Once the deductible is met, services are covered at 80, 90 or 100 percent of the total cost.

A DHMO is very similar to its healthcare counterpart in that it requires patients to choose a "primary care dentist" and agree to use only that dental professional. If a procedure is required which that professional does not provide, the patient needs a referral from their dental insurance plan to seek help elsewhere. DHMOs do not have annual deductibles. Patients are expected to pay a co-pay at the time service is rendered.

Fee-for-service plans are the most popular and offer the most selection when it comes to receiving care. Like PPO plans, they generally contain an annual deductible be met before covering the cost of dental services. The percentage of each service covered depends on the type of service. Some dental procedures, such as crowns and bridges, may be covered at a lesser percentage than routine dental care.

The Best Dental Insurance Plans Compare Dental Insurance Plans Compare Dental Insurance Plan Reviews What are the best Dental Insurance Plans Best Dental Insurance Plan Reviews

Dental Insurance Plan FAQ

If you already have dental insurance through your employer, you won't need to get coverage separately. But, if you're like the millions of Americans who don't have access to dental coverage through their job, it's worth it to consider buying a dental plan privately. Oral health is very important in your overall health, and twice-yearly checkups are recommended for everyone. Having dental insurance can make routine visits and services like root canals and cavity fillings much less expensive.
That will depend on the plan you choose, but most cover routine well visits like cleanings and X-rays. You'll also typically have coverage for fillings, crowns and other issues with your teeth; how much you'll pay out of pocket is based on your specific plan limits for each procedure and your total annual limit.
Many dental insurance plans don't cover removal of wisdom teeth or orthodontic treatments. However, coverage with higher premiums may include those procedures; if you've got multiple children in the family who might need them, it's worth finding a plan that pays for some or all of it.
You might be surprised at how affordable it is. Many individuals and families can get good coverage for less than $20/month.
You've got a lot of options. First, determine if you need individual or family coverage. Next, decide how quickly you want your dental insurance to start: some let you begin your plan on the same day, while others may have a delay of a few days or more. Then, choose what level of coverage you need and select the dental insurance plan that fits your needs and your budget!
Possibly. Most dentists accept insurance, but not necessarily all providers and plans. If you have a dentist you love, ask him or her which plans they take (and even which ones they like working with the most!); you can choose your insurance based on keeping your dentist.
As you might guess, dental insurance is traditional coverage that usually includes 100% of the cost of two preventative visits each year, lowers the cost of dental procedures, and often has an annual maximum dollar amount of coverage per year. Discount dental plans usually are lower in cost but give you less coverage: you may only save 10% on the standard cost for a filling or routine X-rays, and you will probably be limited to a single dentist instead of a network.
Absolutely. Most of today's most popular providers of dental insurance make it easy to pick a plan and pay for it online. If you don't have a specific dentist or insurer in mind, you might want to try using a referral site that gives you quotes from multiple companies and lets you compare your options side-by-side.
See the Best Dental Insurance Plan
The Best Reviews of Dental Insurance Plans