If you find that you are employed by an employer who offers dental benefits, then you are in a good position. You should take advantage of the dental benefits, because they are the best you will find. Many employers have dental benefits plus health benefits, making a nice package for their employees. If you have this option take it! Here's why! Employers are able to get the best dental benefits plans, because they are able to offer the insurance company higher premiums. This is because the employee pays a portion of the premium, and the rest is paid by the employer. When you multiply this by several employees, and with large corporations we are talking several thousand employees, the insurance company will be receiving high premiums each month.
Some of us are born with perfect pearly whites. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. I blame genetics - dental woes run in my family. I care for my teeth like precious jewels. I brush and floss twice daily without fail, and visit the dentist regularly for cleanings. But still I find myself suffering from painful toothaches, and end up back in the dentist chair undergoing uncomfortable procedures.
All this dental work can be quite expensive. But dental coverage helps with those costs considerably. And it is even helpful for those lucky people with nice, healthy teeth.
Most people get their dental coverage through work. There are various types of dental plans, similar to those offered for medical health expenses - indemnity, HMO, and PPO plans. If your employer offers dental coverage, ask Human Resources to find out what types of dental plans you can choose from.
Plans typically cover a maximum of $1,000-$1,500 of dental services per year.
This is more than enough for people who only need a couple of cleanings and maybe a filling or two. If you have a lot of dental work to get done, this may not be enough - but it is certainly better than nothing. Also, even if you exceed the annual maximum, the rates charged by your dentist may be lower under the plan than if you did not have coverage at all.
If you have access to dental insurance, it's a good idea to elect coverage - you never know what your dental needs will be, and coverage can save you thousands of dollars. But if you cannot get dental coverage through work, don't despair - there are other options available to you.
If your employer does not offer dental coverage, you might be able to buy an individual dental insurance policy. However, there is no guarantee that the insurance company will offer you a policy - if you have made a large number of claims in the past, you can be denied. Furthermore, the premiums charged can be expensive.
A number of companies offer dental discount plans. For a monthly or annual fee, you get access to a network of dentists who will work for discounted rates. There are no guarantees that your dentist will provide services for the discounted rate for the entire term of your plan membership. Before joining a dental discount plan, check with your dentist to make sure he or she is a member. In fact, you may want to talk with your dentist about other financing arrangements. Many dentists are willing to work with your financial constraints even if you do not sign up for a discount plan - some offer their own financing arrangements and/or are willing to help you find a way to pay for your treatment.
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