Dental care can be expensive and time-consuming, let us show you how to save money on dental care.
The dental industry is regulated differently than most other medical care and exists in a different marketplace than other forms of health care. It is largely “pay for service” meaning most people do not have insurance coverage. Those who do frequently find out their coverage really doesn’t cover much of the cost.
Dental Insurance
Most people underuse their dental insurance every year. Those twice-a-year cleanings would be cheaper if you just paid cash. But how does dental insurance help in a catastrophic case? Most dental insurance has low caps on total coverage. You may pay $300 on average for a dental coverage policy, but most insurance has a cap of $1000 to $2000 of what it will cover. Dental insurance usually has a small percentage they pay of your bill, still leaving you with a significant portion to pay.
Many plans also have deductibles you will have to pay out of pocket before insurance even kicks in. All of this means you are not seeing much actual coverage. As with other forms of private insurance, there may be limits to where you can use it. If no dentists in your area accept that insurance it becomes worthless.
Don’t forget to check your regular health insurance, many plans include some dental coverage, including for things like dental cleanings but bury this information in the plan documents.
Dental problems can quickly spiral into incredibly expensive urgent problems. Find out how to save money and avoid dental scams in our Save On Dental Care guide.
Prevention
Keeping the dentist away is the best way to save money on dental care. Keeping your teeth as clean as possible, avoiding acidic foods, and not smoking may be a more cost-effective hedge against dental bills than your insurance. Find out more about dental prevention and how to keep your teeth in good shape here.
Don’t Get Scammed By A Dentist
Scams abound in this lightly regulated industry. From unethical small providers to big chains that have made emptying people’s wallets their business model, there is much to worry about. Find out about common dental scams and how to avoid them here.