| DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS | | | | - Most plans activate right away, within 1 to 3 business |
| A dental discount plan may be an attractive and | | | | days, and have no waiting periods! |
| affordable alternative to dental insurance. Some people | | | | - No tiresome paperwork hassles, plan membership |
| who already have dental insurance find that they save | | | | card is presented for discounts on most dental |
| even more by adding a dental discount plan too. They | | | | services |
| are usually very affordable, do not have waiting | | | | - No health restrictions and no age restrictions. |
| periods, and often cover many procedures -- like | | | | - Select plans include discounts on dental specialties, |
| cosmetic and orthodontics -- that traditional dental | | | | including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics |
| insurance will not cover! | | | | - Consumers pay affordable membership fees for |
| DENTAL INSURANCE | | | | access to a network of providers offering discounts |
| Traditional dental insurance has some drawbacks. With | | | | on most dental procedures |
| expensive premiums, high deductibles, and low yearly | | | | - Available directly to individuals, families, businesses |
| maximums, it may be hard to see how a dental | | | | and groups Many families who have dental insurance |
| insurance plan saves much money at all. Many dental | | | | at work find that they have more flexibility, and save |
| insurance plans will offer generous coverage on | | | | more money by adding a dental discount plan! This is |
| routine care like checkups, cleanings, and simple x-rays. | | | | because the discount dental plan may cover services |
| However those services are usually fairly inexpensive | | | | that dental insurance does not cover. The dental |
| anyway. | | | | discount plans use a huge network of US dentists, and |
| When a family needs more coverage, they may find | | | | so some families find it easier to find a nearby dental |
| that their out of pocket costs surprise them. Complex | | | | provider too. |
| fillings and crowns usually still require large copayments, | | | | Dental plans make it easy to find dentists! They have |
| and many dental insurance companies do not even | | | | simple online searches, by zip code or dentist name. |
| cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or dentures at all! | | | | You can find out if your current dentist accepts the |
| Some of the problems with many Dental Insurance | | | | plan or find a new dentist in your area. |
| Plans include: | | | | Many families who do not have dental insurance at |
| - Limitations, deductibles and annual maximums | | | | work will put off routine dental care because they are |
| - Waiting periods for major dental procedures | | | | concerned about the cost. However, this is never a |
| - Tedious and time-consuming written claims process | | | | good idea. If a person neglects regular checkups and |
| - Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions | | | | cleanings, worse problems will develop in the future. |
| - Certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry, | | | | Many discount dental plans even offer free, or very |
| are rarely covered | | | | inexpensive, routine care like checkups, cleanings, and |
| - Consumers pay expensive monthly premiums for | | | | x-rays. |
| defined coverage | | | | Some dental plans also offer other medical discounts. |
| - Typically inaccessible to individuals and families unless | | | | They arrange special deals with vision care providers, |
| provided by their employer Some of the | | | | pharmacies, vitamin stores, and other outlets for health |
| characteristics of Discount Dental Plans include: | | | | needs. With dental plans costing a few dollars a month, |
| - No annual limits, members enjoy discounts on most | | | | most will do more than pay for themselves! |
| dental services all year long | | | | |