5 Reason To Choose A Dental Plan Over Dental Insurance

When it comes to choosing dental coverage there are many options out there. Finding the one that is best for you can be confusing and frustrating. As insurance companies are now starting to jump on the dental train, finding quality dental coverage requires more and more research. Here's a tip, Do not rule out dental plans. Dental plans have been providing affordable quality dental coverage longer than most of the major insurance companies that have recently started selling it as a stand-alone policy.

Here are 5 reasons that you should choose a dental plan over dental insurance.

1. More Consistent Coverage: Unlike dental insurance, a dental plan does not require a preauthorization to get dental work done. So you do not have to worry about a claim being denied.

2.  No Deductible or Coverage Caps: With a dental plan, you do not have to worry about meeting a deductible before your coverage kicks in. Also, a dental plan does not have a coverage cap. So you do not have to worry about only being covered for a certain dollar amount per year.

3. No Waiting Periods: If you need a root canal today because you are in pain, insurance will cover it if it is past their "waiting period". With a dental plan, you do not have to worry about it. There is no waiting period so you can get the work you need done when need to have it done.

4. Immediate Coverage: With a dental plan, you get the coverage you are paying for right away. In some cases, you can even sign up while you are in the dental office and be covered for that visit. You do not have to pay for it now and get the coverage later.

5. Pre-existing Conditions Covered: This is important for those of you who have had dental work done in the past. With a dental plan, if you have any pre-existing conditions, they are covered as well.

If you would like to know what dental coverage is out there and what the differences are between them you can check them out on our website by clicking here.

Original post by Clay III on October 14, 2015

All About Dental Sealants

What is a dental sealant?

A dental sealant is a thin, white, plastic coating used on the surfaces of your teeth (molars specifically) to help prevent tooth decay.  The procedure is painless and only takes a few minutes.  

How do they work?

Just how it sounds!  The sealant is applied to the molar surface which allows a light, but powerful protective coating to seal in the tiny cracks and crevices that could potentially trap food and bacteria, which could lead to tooth decay and other long-term problems.

When should I consider getting  them?

Most dentists suggest applying sealants as an extra measure in preventive care early on as your adult teeth grow in.  Because most tooth decay in teens and children are found in this area, the earlier you get them, the better.

Do all teeth need sealants?

No, just molars.  Molars are far more vulnerable to tooth decay because they are designed for chewing.  The rest of your teeth are shaped and designed for their specific purpose and sealants just simply aren’t needed.

How long do they last?

The average life of a sealant is anywhere between 5-10 years.  Over time, they can wear down or chip, at which point, they should be reapplied.

Does this mean I won’t get cavities at all?

Definitely not.   While they do offer a strong layer of protection, they are not designed to replace your daily dental maintenance.  They protect, they do not prevent.  Maintaining healthy dental habits will better allow the sealant to do what it is supposed to.

Does my regular dentist do them?

Yes, a general dentist should be able to do it, or the hygienist.  A specialist is not necessary.

Are they covered by insurance?

Because it is considered a preventive procedure, most insurances and dental plans cover sealants at 100%.  Obviously this will vary, so be sure to check with your provider beforehand. 

How To Manage Dental Costs If You're Uninsured

For most people, a toothache that turns into an expensive procedure like a crown or implant can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. Even routine check-ups with x-rays and a cleaning can add up to hundreds of dollars. It has been estimated that over one third of Americans have not visited a dentist in the last 12 months.

Given the nature of insurance companies and the cost of premiums vs. the actual procedures covered, relief from dental bills is not likely to come soon. That leaves it up to consumers to find smart ways to reduce their dental care costs without sacrificing their oral health. So, we did some research on ways to cut back on dental related costs. 

• Consider a good dental plan.  Better than insurance, some dental plans offer discounted fees with low premiums and no limit or "cap", no waiting periods on procedures, no exclusions and immediate coverage. 

• Try having your dental care done at a Dental School Clinic.  Teaching facilities have amazingly skilled dentists and in most cases the cost is cheaper than a private practice facility. Not to mention they use the most state of the art equipment so that your experience is more comfortable.

• Space out your treatments.  If you have extensive work to be done, most dentists will work according to a treatment plan, and a "pay as you go" strategy can go a long way toward helping the patient so those out of pocket expenses don't have to break the bank all at once! 

• Disclosure-No Surprise Fees!   Make sure to always, ALWAYS get the cost for the treatment plan or procedure before you agree to have it done, or sign anything.  Many patients agree to procedures while they are in the chair and don't fully understand that there may be an additional cost...an exorbitant additional cost.  Keep yourself from sticker shock by asking first and discuss other options if you cannot afford the procedure.  

• Prevention, Prevention, Prevention!  The key to saving on dental costs (just like having your car worked on) is to fix small problems before they become big ones.  Have your teeth cleaned twice a year and don't skip that oral exam. 

Here is a parting thought for those of you in the market for dental coverage.  PLEASE check the benefits carefully when considering dental insurance.  The premiums will always be more than the pay out...coverage is always limited and there will almost always be a waiting period for expensive procedures. They want to make sure they have your premiums firmly in hand before the payouts begin. It's the truth....do your homework carefully! A good dental plan is more effective at saving you money than an insurance company will ever be. 

Keep Smiling! 

Are Fruit And Veggie Purees Bad For Kids Teeth?

Squeezable fruit and veggie puree pouches are a convenient, easy and portable snack for kids that have became popular over the last few years that do not require refrigeration.

 Although these puree pouches provide the perfect amount of nutrients, vitamins,  minerals and are perfect for parents with hectic lives, they could be causing damage to your children's  teeth.

Paul Casamassimo, the oral health research and policy director at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says "the constant exposure of sugar on the teeth is detrimental". 

When you eat or drink foods that contain sugar, the bacteria in plaque produces's acid and the acid eats away at the tooth enamel which will eventually create cavities and because of the consistency of the puree pouches it may be particularly tough on the teeth if its allowed to sit there for long periods of time. 

So, if you allow your children to eat these pouches please make sure to have them rinse their mouth after eating them!

What Will A Repeal Of ObamaCare Mean For Dental Coverage?

As we go through a leadership transition here in the United States there is some unknowns that we are facing as citizens. This is not a politcal blog, so where I stand on the election or where you stand is not at all relevant at this point. Just wanted to throw that out there to avoid any political based comments etc. One of the things that are unknown is the status of Obamacare. At this point there is already steps being taken to repeal the law. Which leads me to question of what will happen to dental coverage.

If you have dental insurance some big changes may coming your way. Dental coverage for your children will no longer be required to be covered by insurance companies which in return gives them the power to reduce coverage benefits or increase your premium. Similar to what they do adults even now and like they have done long before Obamacare was even a thought. Even under the Obamacare plan dental insurance has been sub-par. In reality, you have been paying more out in premiums that they will every pay out in claims. That won't change one bit and may even get worse.

If you have a dental plan, you will have no changes what so ever. The same low annual premiums and coverage that you are receiving now will not change at all. 

All more the reason to ditch you current dental insurance and join a dental plan!

Need more of a comparison between Dental Insurance & Dental Plans? Check out our comparison zone.

Tips To Understanding Your 2017 Dental Benefits

For those of you who get dental benefits at work the time is quickly approaching to renew those benefits. Which means there will most likely be changes to benefits package that is offered. I am sure that most of you do not read through the 150 page packet that you will be mailed so knowing what benefits you have and don't have will be a big surprise when you are at the dental office. Even if you did read all 150 pages, they are not very comprehensive and what information is there is not put into language that we understand.

Here are some tips to help you understand all of that insurance jargon.

1. Figure out how much are paying per month and per year. Chances are good that this is taken out of each paycheck. It may not seem like much when you break it down that way but when you look at the big picture, then you will know truly how much it is costing you.

2. Check for exclusion. Something is going to be excluded that is a given. It is important to know this information when you go to the dentist. If you need a procedure done you want to know if it is covered BEFORE you get it done.

3. Check for coverage percentages on procedures. Find out how much is covered on your cleanings, fillings, crown, root canals, extractions etc etc. They coverage will vary especially if you have not had this insurance for long.

4. Find out what your coverage cap is. If your company is offering dental insurance, then you will have a coverage cap. Usually anywhere from 1000-2000 dollars per year. You will want to know this because that amount can be easily depleted in just a couple visits. If you exceed that, then you are responsible for everything else out of pocket.

If you know these 4 things, then you will have information that you need to get a basic overview and understanding of what your coverage provides. That gives you the tools you need to compare and research to find out if that coverage is worth your investment, or if you would rather obtain coverage outside of your work. You can opt out of the dental coverage that they offer.

Don't forget to compare it a dental plan as well. Plans (like ours) offer low year rates, no exclusions, 50% off all dental work and no coverage cap.

You can compare your insurance to our plan by visiting our comparison zone.

Why Dental Plans Are Underrated Yet Over Deliver!

I am sure everyone has been in the situation where they are telling their friend about a new food that they tried and had their friend turn their nose up at it and say gross. If so, then you most likely responded with "Don't knock it until you tried it". The funny thing is, I have used that statement many time about dental plans. I have posted multiple blogs about dental plans versus insurance and proved many times how much a dental plan will save you, the patient, a lot of money all around. Yet, I still find that dental plans in general are underrated and in some cases deemed "sub par".

To that I say "Don't knock it until you have tried it". I am not really sure what is so special about the word insurance and why it is put on such a high pedestal over the word plan. Can anyone explain that to me? Why does "dental insurance" appeal more to people so much? Dental Insurance is an industry designed to rip you off. It is in the business of doing just that. What is so special about paying a lot of money for their conditional subpar coverage? What is so special about paying for something that you can't fully use from the get go?

Imagine for a moment that you bought a car. You pay this huge down payment, you are making monthly payments and are told that you can't pick it up for a month, then you can only drive it 100 miles per month for the first 3 months, then 500 for the next 3 months, then 750 for the next 3 months and so on. Once you have the car for 2 years, you can drive unlimited miles. Sound nuts right? You would look at the dealership and tell them that they are crazy and that there is no way that you are going to buy that car. I am sure of it.

Well, it is the same concept with dental insurance. You make a hefty down payment to start the coverage, pay an unreasonable monthly payment for something you are limited to use for while. In general, you may have to wait 1-3 months for it to even go "in effect ". Once it goes into effect, you are only going to get limited coverage for the first 6 months. After that, they will let you have a little more coverage. About 6 months later, they will cover some more things. By then, your coverage is may be up for renewal and they will most likely increase your rates before covering even more. On top of that, they get to choose what they will cover and what they don't. How does this not sound as crazy as the crazy car dealer? It does to me, yet people are flocking to it like new food was just put in the bird feader.

I have said it many times before and will say it again. Dental Insurance Companies are in the business of COLLECTING PREMIUMS not paying claims. Thus.. they are in the business of taking as much of your money as they can incase you do use the insurance and sit back and hope you don't use it. If you do use it, they limit you on how much you can use it, and increase your rates the next year. Bottom line: THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF RIPPING YOU OFF! They don't care about your teeth, they care about your money!

That's why Dental Plans exist. That's how they over deliver. You pay a low yearly membership rate and you get to use it in full right away. You can go to the dentist anytime you want. You don't have to worry if something is covered or not because you have the peace of mind that it is covered. Dental Plans are in the business of SAVING YOU MONEY not taking your money. You get to buy the car in full and drive it all you want, plain and simple.

The biggest reason why Dental Plans Are underrated is that insurance companies have enough of your money to spend millions in advertising. Most dental plans don't because they are not collecting thousands of dollars a year from each person in premiums. Insurance companies come at the consumer with inticing offers that make them line up to get ripped off. $20 per month for up to 80% dental coverage sounds much better than $99 per year for 50% coverage, but in reality it isn't better. Furthermore, they claim that they have the best dentists around and that dental plans have subpar dentists. Well, I can assure that the dentist that take Savon are the same dentists that take all of the major insurance companies. So they are lying to you and ripping you off. I can also guarantee you that we spend more time and work harder to vette our dentist to make sure that they meet high standards required to see our members. Lastly, we visit them constantly to make sure that those standards are being met. Show me a insurance company that cares enough to do that.

So when it comes to your dental coverage and dental health you have 3 choices, 1. Pay for it our of own pocket, (which is really expensive. 2. Get ripped off by the dental insurance company 3. Make the smart decision of joining a dental plan and take the money you save to buy that new car.

In closing, I say this... when it comes to a dental plan.. "Don't knock it until you have tried it"

Why won’t my dental insurance pay for my veneers?”

Dental insurance will only pay a portion of the dental bill if the insurance company feels that it is within their policy terms to pay it. One must read their policy limits very carefully to determine what, and how much, their dental insurance will pay.

It has been my experience, after 30+ years in the dental field, that I would rather have a patient that is on a comprehensive dental plan then a patient with dental insurance.

What has been your experience with your dental insurance and cosmetic dentistry?