The Inside Scoop on Dental Insurance

Insurance vs. Discount Cards

For instance, if you need to have a filling and you do not have dental insurance, then a discount plan might be able to save you a little money. You can enroll with the discount dental program for an annual fee of around $50 (or look for a 30 day money back guarantee) and then save each time you visit a participating dentist. If the dentist accepts the discount plan (and always make sure in advance that they do) then if for instance fillings cost $100, you might have to pay $70 to the dentist instead.

With dental insurance, the scenario is a little different. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company and then you are provided with a list of what is included and at what rate. Most dental insurance companies offer free routine check ups twice a year. If yours doesn’t, shop around because many do. If however, the dentist notices something that needs to be checked out further, he may order x-rays and deep cleaning or fillings and root canals. If that is the case, refer to your insurance booklet and see what percentage is covered by the dental insurance company. For instance, they could say that cleanings are free, covered at 100 percent, fillings covered at 80 per cent and extractions at 50 per cent.

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