A Comparison Between Dental Savings Plans And Dental Insurance

Dental insurance does not always provide the most affordable dental care. Many people don’t know that insurance plans require you to get all of your dental work done through select providers. Plus, if you don’t use your plan, the company will make money, so you won’t save anything if their fees are high. In comparison, a dental savings plan can cost less than some insurance plans, and usually doesn’t have limits, exclusions, or waiting periods. Here’s how dental insurance plans and dental savings plans compare.

Dental Savings Plans

Usually offered on an individual basis

Can cost as little as $99 for one person per year

Can use on an as-needed basis during the course of the year with no annual limits

Can be used immediately for dental services

You can start saving money on dental treatments right away

Dental Insurance

Typically offered through employers

Can cost as much as $60 for one person per month

Usually has yearly limits, ranging between $1,000 and $1,500, which means once you hit this limit, you’ll need to pay for subsequent visits to the dentist

You are required to wait for anywhere between 6 and 12 months for major dental work to be covered

Typically has a deductible that you will need to pay before the insurance provider’s coverage kicks in

Membership Costs

Some dental insurance plans require an enrollment fee that you will need to pay at the start, in addition to the monthly premium. The premium you’ll have to pay will vary based on the type of coverage you want and how liable you are to require dental care. If you have a pre-existing dental condition or a history of getting a lot of dental work, your insurance provider can charge you a lot. In comparison, dental savings plans do not collect premiums from members. Instead, members have to pay a steady annual or monthly rate, regardless of how much dental work they’ve had in the past or if they have any pre-existing conditions. Savings plans are more affordable because they don’t reimburse the dentist or the patient, instead, they just provide significant discounts to patients.