Do You Need Dental Insurance? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Did you know that 32% of Canadians don’t have dental insurance?

You may be shocked to learn that dental treatment is not included by their health insurance policies, becoming rare. Considering the direct link between your overall health, heart health, and oral care, that’s a terrifying statistic to see. So, now comes the time to consider whether you need dental insurance or not.

You’ll want to keep the advantages and disadvantages of dental insurance in mind before making a purchase. Keep on reading to learn all about dental plans and estimate whether dental insurance is worth it for your needs or not.

The Average Cost of Dental Insurance

Depending on where you live, the cost of the service will be different. Without dental insurance, the costs can be so high, to the point where some people will pull their own teeth out.

The patient is responsible for 25 percent of a dentist’s charge in some instances. In addition, the yearly limit may exclude costly dental procedures from coverage.

The yearly benefit or coverage cap is a standard feature of most policies. Between $1,000 and $2,000 is a good starting point. Dental insurance, unlike medical insurance, does not cover expenditures once your deductible has been met, unlike medical insurance. It would help if you covered any extra expenses.

The Building Blocks of a Dental Insurance: Do You Need Dental Insurance?

Preventive treatment, such as regular dental checkups, cleanings, and X-rays, is wholly covered under most dental insurance plans. Cleanings are recommended by dentists twice a year.

Seventy-five to eighty percent of the cost of routine operations, including fillings, extractions, and periodontal therapy, is covered by insurance. Dentures, bridges, and implants are all covered to a 50 percent extent under this plan (or less).

There are various ways in which plans might change from person to person. Depending on the extent of the root canal, it might be a minor procedure or a major one.

Cosmetic treatment will be covered by fewer insurance policies (like teeth whitening). You may be able to get supplemental coverage if your insurance doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment. This is usually a one-time expense.

Putting Emphasis on Preventative Treatment

Dentists emphasize preventative treatment or care before anything goes wrong in their dental programs.

Even if you have healthy teeth and a solid oral hygiene routine, preventive treatment may save you money in the long term. If you had no dental insurance in your early twenties, your dentist would discover many cavities at your first dental appointment.

You’ll find that regular dental cleanings will save you a lot of time in a dentist’s chair, as well as a lot of cavities.

Would Dental Insurance Decrease the Expense of Bi-Annual Cleanings?

Currently, you could probably afford a dental plan that costs between $300 and $700 per year. Yet, it’s also possible that you could have paid out of your own cash the $370 that covers two dental checkups, including cleanings and X-rays.

You could have easily spent more money without dental insurance.

There is no doubt that dental insurance may be an excellent motivator to see the dentist regularly, even if it does not reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. There are many ways to save money in the long run, but one of the most effective is to get regular dental cleanings and checkups.

What Are Your Options for Dental Insurance?

You’ll find many different options on the market. Yet, you can group most of them into two main categories for simplicity’s sake.

But, keep in mind that you can always set up a plan with your current dentist’s office. This rule applies to the Dental Team as well.

For now, let’s explore the two types one at a time.

Indemnity and Fee-For-Service

Choosing a dentist is up to you with this plan, which reimburses you for a portion of the cost.

These plans allow you to choose from the largest possible selection of service providers. Some plans may have reduced pre-existing condition deductibles (the amount you must pay before your insurance kicks in). The yearly maximum coverage limit may be increased.

Premiums (the amount you pay each month) are often more significant than those for other plans. You must pay all service fees in advance.

If you have a particular dentist in mind or expect to require expensive operations in the future, this plan is for you.

Preferential Provider Organizations (PPO)

If you have a PPO, you may save money by going to “preferred” or in-network providers.

The insurer network will pay out more money under a PPO plan than an indemnity or HMO plan. In-network providers aren’t essential, although they are less expensive that way.

However, they do come with their drawbacks. Using a provider outside of the network will result in higher costs. PPO plans often include a yearly maximum reimbursement amount.

A waiting time or exclusion from coverage may apply to some treatments. This is a good option for those who don’t anticipate the need for substantial dental treatment shortly but want to be prepared should it arise.

However, you don’t want to shell out a lot of money to have a wide range of options when it comes to dental services.

Dental Plans and Dental Coverage: Simplified

When it comes to covering dental health needs, you’ll find that the entire system can be rather complex and vague.

We hope that our guide has shed some light on whether you need dental insurance and how it works when it comes to dental insurance plans. But, if you’re still feeling shaky on the details, you can check out our health and medical sections for all the other explainers you could possibly need.