Two drawbacks of traditional dental insurance are (1) relatively high monthly premiums and (2) long waiting periods before major dental procedures are covered. However, affordable and worthwhile alternatives to costly dental insurances do exist.
These alternatives are known as discount dental plans, or simply dental plans for short. There are a growing number of choices available, but you have to be careful before you commit. The fact is that many dental plans are simply too new and inexperienced to offer the important features that most people require. They haven’t been around long enough to have developed a large network of participating dentists for you to use, nor have they been able to negotiate the level of savings that you need or want.
Stay away from the pretenders and get the best dental discounts available. Here are some suggestions:
Opt for a seasoned dental plan. Some plans have only been in business for a few years. They haven’t had the opportunity to amass the large network of dental professionals needed to serve their customers. At the same time, they haven’t developed a large enough customer base to attract a large number of participating dentists. It really is a Catch 22 and the only solution is time. On the other hand, a few dental plans have been in business for over 30 years, adding both plan customers and plan dentists every year.
More participating dentists means more choice for dental plan customers. Plus having more dentists creates more competition, which allows an older, more experienced dental plan to negotiate better discounts on behalf of its customers.
Investigate to find out the normal price of the dental work you may need. It helps to know before you select a dental plan. That way, you have a good starting point to judge the scope of your savings. With dental insurance, you may be able to get coverage, but it usually comes at a higher price and typically doesn’t cover major, existing dental conditions for at least a year. The alternative is an experienced and affordable dental plan, where you pay a very small premium for very big dental discounts immediately.
Does the dental plan work with large companies? It is not just individuals and families who are looking for affordable alternatives to dental insurance. Today, many large corporations offer dental plans to their employees as a workplace benefit. Some large healthcare companies partner with experienced dental plans in order to market a more comprehensive package of healthcare benefits to the general public. It is a positive sign if the dental plan you are considering for yourself is also one that large companies have selected to offer to their valued employees, or one that large companies have selected to add to their own business mix.
Don’t wait for affordable dental care. Unlike traditional dental insurance, there are no delays with most dental plans. Some will send you a temporary ID card by e-mail a few minutes after you join online. This is especially useful if you are experiencing pain and want to see a dentist right away.
Affordable and worthwhile alternatives to costly dental insurance are there for you if you take the time to look for them. If you want worthwhile dental savings, follow the path above. Just because you break a tooth doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.
