Affordable Dental Care Does Exist
Think that dental insurance has to be expensive? Think again. Here's how you can get affordable dental care.
Are you underestimating the worth of you and your family's oral health?
Good oral health is more than just a smile. Oral health affects your ability to speak, breathe, drink, and eat.
Unfortunately, some people let the fear of cost keep them from protecting their oral health. The good news is that affordable dental care is possible for you.
If you have been avoiding going to the dentist because you're afraid it will break the bank, this article will explain the best ways to find the most affordable dental insurance plans.
What to Consider When Selecting a Plan
The main things you want to consider when choosing a coverage plan to fit your needs are:
Your Future Dental Needs
Will you or a family member need major dental work or oral surgery in the near future? If not, you should be okay with a plan that covers preventative care like routine checkups and cleanings.
Your Preferred Dentist
If you have a particular dentist you'd prefer to get treatment form, check to be sure that the plan you are considering allows you to keep seeing that dentist.
Your Individual Budget
Some plans require you to pay premiums and co-pays over time while others require you to pay the full amounts when you seek treatments.
Dental Health Services in Canada
According to the Canadian Dental Association, 70% of the total cost of health care is covered by public insurance. Most Canadians are responsible for paying for their own dental care and typically do so by using:
- Employment provided dental coverage
- Private dental insurance (not employment-related coverage)
- Dental saving plan
Dental Insurance Plans Through Your Employer
There are many companies in Canada that offer dental insurance that can be added to your existing insurance plan. It's important to remember, though, that most health insurance plans do not include dental coverage.
As such, you will have to add your dental coverage plan to your currently existing plan.
Adding a dental plan onto your employer's health policy can usually be a lot more affordable than if you tried to find dental insurance alone. However, in some cases, not paying attention to the fine print in your employer's dental plan could cost you hundreds of dollars each month.
Next time your enrollment period begins, try to resist the urge to simply pick the same benefits that were in place last year. Paying attention to your options could save you money and give you more dental benefits.
Individual Dental Plans
If you find that your employer doesn't offer an affordable dental plan, don't worry! There are plenty of affordable dental care options in the open market.
Think of the open market like an online shopping center where you can search different insurance options and compare the benefits of each.
Using an insurance comparison platform is a quick way to weigh your options side by side in order to find affordable dental care that fits your budget.
Dental Savings Plan
A dental savings plan is an alternative to dental insurance that can help you maintain your oral health and wellness. When deciding whether or not a dental savings plan is the right choice for you, you should first consider you and your family's needs.
If you or one of your family members plans on having major dental procedures that could leave you with a high bill, a dental savings plan is likely to save you some money.
Most people with dental savings plans pay 10-60% less for dental treatments.
Additionally, many dentists offer dental savings plan members discounts on dental services such as teeth cleanings, regular checkups, and dentures. Sometimes it will even pay for services that insurance doesn't cover such as cosmetic dental work like implants, veneers, and teeth whitening treatments.
Understand Your Coverage Options
Dental insurance is like any other insurance, you pay a monthly cost to keep the insurance. And when you go in for a procedure, you only pay a portion of the price that you would have normally paid without insurance.
When choosing an insurance provider, it's important to make sure that the policy gives you good coverage.
The best way to know whether or not a plan gives you quality coverage for an affordable price is to compare different plans to ensure that it's right for you.
Do Your Own Research
With thousands of options for insurance, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting the right dental plan for you.
The only way to know for sure that you're getting the best bang for your buck is to research each plan in detail and consider all of the costs and benefits of each option.
Some questions you need to know the answers to before selecting a plan are:
- • What is my deductible?
- • Is there a dollar amount limit on my coverage?
- • What kind of dental procedures are covered with this plan? (For example, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, root canals, bridges, crowns, dentures, oral surgery, etc.)
- • Will I still be covered if I change jobs?
- • Am I covered for routine checkups, cleanings or x-rays?
- • Can I choose my own dentist? (Some plans restrict you to a list of preferred dentists)
Dental insurance doesn't have to be expensive, don't choose your dental plan until you shop around for the best dental insurance rates.
Affordable Dental Care Is Possible
If you're letting the fear of expensive dental insurance keep you from finding coverage, keep in mind that the cost of not taking care of your oral health could be greater.
Those without dental coverage are less likely to get routine dental care and seek out a dentist only when they have a major problem. Often times, that problem is expensive and could have been avoided with proper care.
Doing nothing now could mean you pay much more later on.
Dental care options can be hard to understand but don't let that confusion keep you from saving money!
Let us know your needs, and we will help you pick an affordable dental care plan that keeps you and your family's smiles healthy!
