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Should I Consider Dental Insurance?

Posted on 6/15/2024 by Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS

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Nearly 80 percent of Americans have dental insurance in one form or another. Some people have private dental insurance, while others have dental benefits through Medicare or Medicaid. About 20 percent of adults have to pay for dental services out of pocket if they want to visit a dentist. If you are thinking about dental insurance, here is a description of its positives and negatives.

The Good News About Dental Insurance

There are benefits to having dental insurance. First, many dental insurance policies pay 100 percent of your regular dental cleanings and checkups, which means you will not have out-of-pocket expenses. Also, you will get a discount on other dental procedures, such as crowns, fillings, deep dental cleaning, teeth whitening, or bonding. Depending on your insurance policy, you may have to pay between 20 and 75 percent of these costs yourself.

Your dental insurance may also give you discounts for services from orthodontists, prosthodontists, and periodontists, so if you have tooth issues, you might want to consider dental insurance. Some dental insurance companies have family plans, so you can cover your entire family, while other policies will only cover you.

Negatives of Dental Insurance

Some people may not benefit from dental insurance. If your teeth are very healthy and the only time you visit our dentist is to have your teeth cleaned and examined twice yearly, your dental insurance may not be worth the cost. You would be better off paying cash for dental services. Also, check all of the fine print in your dental policy because your policy may not cover the services you want.

Are There Options?

If you are not sure about whether or not you need dental insurance, you may want to consider some options. For example, ask our dentist about our cash discount policy. You may also want to consider getting a special card that you can use for dental visits and care. Some employers offer these benefits as part of their employee packages. There are also dental credit cards you can apply for. Not sure which dental insurance idea is right for you? Why not make an appointment with our office to take a look at our payment policies and financing?

What Our Patients Are Saying About Us Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS logo icon

Exceptionally Friendly!!

"You are put at ease the minute you walk into their new office on Broad Rd. Beautiful and calming surroundings. The staff couldn't be more helpful and are extremely friendly. Dr. Pliszczak is exactly what you want in a Dentist. Always concerned with your comfort, I never feel rushed, and I enjoy here friendly manner. And because of all of their meticulously thorough work, My teeth are as healthy as can be!!! Thank you Dr. Pliszczak, Jade and Nancy" ~Roamy F.