How Dental Plans Work

How Do Dental Plans Work?

A dental plan can pretty much be described as an insurance policy for your pearly whites, a.k.a teeth. Dental plans cover preventive, restorative, maintenance, and even cosmetic procedures. Dental plans can be purchased individually or be offered as part of an employee’s benefits by his employer. The rates of dental plans differ by state and insurance company. However, each individual state regulates the rate of dental plans. About 90% of those who have dental insurance often get them from their employers.

All dental plans have a monthly fee that needs to be paid on time called a premium. The premium is basically what allows you to continue being a member of the plan so you can take full advantage of its benefits. The rates of these premiums vary depending on the type of plan you go with. In addition to paying for the premium, you might also have to pay for your plan’s deductibles. Paying for a deductible means that the plan holder has to shoulder a certain amount of the dental procedure and the remaining balance gets covered by the plan.

Some certain dental procedures may not be included in the coverage depending on the type of plan you choose. Dental plans have two kinds of coverage-basic and optional. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Basic Coverage

The basic coverage on most dental plans includes the price for check-ups, x-rays, having your teeth cleaned, and a plethora of other dental treatments. Most plans also include the filling in of cavities as part of their basic coverage. You might also find a great number of dental plans that cover the costs of office visits or reduce the amount that you have to pay whenever you need to have a check-up done. The monthly rate of the premium is what will determine the amount of coverage offered and the deductible that is associated with your plan.

Optional Coverage

Optional coverage serves as “add-ons” to your basic coverage and can be included in your plan for an additional fee. The procedures included in this secondary package are more complex. Examples of these complex procedures are root canals, instalment of braces, dental implants, and oral surgery. Plans that have optional coverage items will naturally incur a higher monthly premium fee, but the good news is that it may be able to offer you a reduced amount on your deductibles and even give you some awesome discounts for office visits as well.

Functions of a Dental Plan

If you want to ensure that your teeth and gums maintain an optimum level of health, then you will need to purchase a dental plan. Dental plans are an absolute necessity for making sure that both your gums and teeth are at full health. So basically, getting a dental plan will give you full control of your overall health. Studies have shown that poor oral hygiene has been linked to a number of heart ailments and other diseases, so making sure that your oral health is properly maintained can help you avoid such ailments in the future.