Busting 5 Dental Insurance Myths

Cleanings, fillings, x-rays, oh my!

Navigating the world of dental insurance can be challenging.

A lot of people have misconceptions about what benefits it provides and what’s covered.

It’s important that you understand the ins and outs of dental coverage so that you can make the most informed decisions for you and your family.

Let’s take a look at the most common misperceptions about dental insurance.

1. It’s more of a benefit plan than an insurance plan.

It’s a subtle distinction, but dental plans don’t eliminate your loss the way other kinds of insurance do.

They only reduce your loss.

When you have dental insurance coverage, you’re getting a benefit as opposed to true insurance.

For example, though most plans will cover cleanings, exams, and x-rays, you’ll get a discount for other services.

When you consider the cost you would have to pay out-of-pocket for a cleaning or x-rays alone, it’s easy to see that the coverage is worth it.

2. Dental insurance will cover everything dental-related.

Your insurance will cover the services and procedures that are deemed a dental necessity, including preventive care.

With a single x-ray possibly costing between $100 and $200 – or possibly more  – out-of-pocket, the coverage you get from your dental policy is nothing to sneeze at.

The misunderstanding comes when you start talking about cosmetic issues.

Most dental insurance policies won’t cover things like veneers, tooth whitening, or bonding.

#3- You have to have insurance to see a dentist.

While it’s not true that you’re required to have dental insurance to see the dentist, you’ll definitely want it.

The health of your mouth affects the well-being of the rest of your body.

For most people, a lack of funds to pay for exams and cleanings on their own prohibits them from seeing the dentist regularly – if at all.

When you neglect your dental health, the rest of your body will suffer the consequences.

4. You’ll have to endure a long waiting period.

Most dental insurance policies will have a waiting period before you can take advantage of the full coverage.

But before you panic and throw the dental insurance baby out with the bathwater, you need to understand that this waiting period usually only applies to major procedures.

The period is usually only a couple months and then your full benefits will be available to you.

5. You don’t really need a dental insurance policy.

This is possibly the biggest misconception of all.

Let’s look at a quick recap of why your dental coverage is worth every penny:

• Preventive care is covered. This can save you money – big time. When you see your dentist regularly, minor issues can be caught before they become major issues that would cost a lot.
• Treatment will cost you less. When you need a procedure, a portion (and sometimes all) of the cost will be covered.
• You’re protecting your overall health. Did you know that the indicators or symptoms of more than 120 medical issues can be initially detected by an exam of the mouth? Poor oral health can also complicate diabetes, heart disease and even pregnancy.

Get the help you need

Now that you know the most common misconceptions about dental insurance and you understand the truth, it’s time to talk options.

Your best bet is to work with an expert who can find the policy that’s the right fit for you and your unique needs.

Which dental insurance misconceptions have you taken as fact?