Save Money on Health Care: Discount Dental Plans

by Alden Smith

Investing in a discount dental plan only makes good sense for consumers and their families. Although many employers offer dental coverage, the cost of that coverage may far outweigh the benefit to the policy holder. It must be remembered that discount dental plans are not insurance, but rather an alternative, ofttimes with better benefits than the regular indemnity plan, such as provided through a PPO or HMO.

Good dental hygiene is important to the health of the individual. Not taking care of your teeth can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even abscesses, which poison the body with infection. An impacted molar can cause loss of work. The American Dental Association states on their website that most dental work in a group is highly predictable, and that most issues with dental needs can be prevented through proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, avoidance of sweets, and regular checkups.

This is good news for consumers, and can help them seek the dental plan that works the best for them. Unless something unfortunate happens, such as an accident, one can go a lifetime with out dental disease. Keeping dental costs down only makes good sense.

A regular dental plan, whether through a PPO or HMO, can include, but is not limited to, the following:

Penalties and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Ofttimes a long waiting period for a major dental procedure.
A long, drawn out claims process, with multiple submissions of forms.
Many limitations, including deductibles and an annual spend down.
Many times no coverage through the plan for cosmetic surgery.
Unavailable to consumers and their families unless provided by an employer.

The advantages of a discount dental plan are a bit different. They may include:

No annual limits to services. The consumer enjoys services year round.
When purchased, they are activated with no waiting period, often within 1-3 business days.
There are no health restrictions, or penalties for pre-existing conditions.
Eliminates the hassle of tedious paperwork.
The better plans include cosmetic services and similar discounts on specialties, such as orthodontics.
Affordable access to the network of care providers.
May be purchased by anyone and is easily accessible by any group, whether an individual or an individual employer.

It is easy to see that a dental discount plan is worth looking into for consumers, especially if they do not have access to normal insurance groups, such as through an employer. If a person is self-employed, for example, the discount dental plan would be ideal. It is wise to remember that the oral surgeon is also a small business owner, and is generally interested in ways to increase both sales, services and the bottom line.

Searching for a reputable dental discount plan has never been easier now that so many households have Internet access. One only needs to search for "discount dental plan" to find many listings of plans available by zip code in their area. As with medical discount plans, you must do your own due diligence to insure that the plan you select is on the up and up. For example, you should check for:

A contact telephone number and/or website to contact the administrators of the plan.
A list of providers in the area, so that you can call the oral surgeon and be given more information if needed, and to discuss any limitations to the plan.
Is there any type of refund policy if you find that you are dissatisfied with services rendered?

When you need services through an oral surgeon, and have opted for a discount dental plan, it is wise to check with the providers on your subscriber list to question cost of services. You must remember that even oral surgeons in a given area can be widely different in cost of services. If you can get a better deal for services, it is only good sense to do so. This can be determined by a simple phone call to the dentists in your area.

A drawback to discount dental plans is that your current dentist may not be on the list of providers you would receive upon purchasing the plan. This would mean starting a new relationship with another dentist that is a subscriber. This may not be a choice for some families.

Another drawback may be that the discount dental plan may be "bundled" with other services you have no need for. It is always the best policy to read any and all fine print, and if you still have questions, contact the plan administrator for clarification.

A discount dental plan may not be for everyone, but it certainly is a good alternative. Remember that it is very hard to determine actual savings until year's end. Unforeseen emergencies and accidents can change what may be a good savings plan for those seeking dental coverage.