3 Areas to Make Sure Dental Plans Cover

Dental health is an integral part of overall well-being. While many people skip regular checkups and hope that brushing and flossing will be enough, visiting the dentist every six months can help prevent and mitigate major health issues in the future. Those who believe gong to the dentist is a nonessential expense are often surprised to learn how affordable some dental plans are. Furthermore, regular dental visits can actually help patients save money by avoiding the need for major dental work to correct problems that have developed over time. Several companies offer dental savings programs and plans. For consumers, knowing which components are must-haves can be difficult. The following three categories are areas every patient’s dental plan should cover.

Preventive Visits
Every dental plan should allow patients two free or very affordable checkups. Checkups include cleaning, an evaluation of the patient’s oral health, a fluoride treatment, and basic x-rays. There may be an extra charge for x-rays that are more complicated or that require the use of special machinery. Preventative visits are an important foundation for an dental plan as the dentist will utilize these visits to advise patients on maintaining their oral health and make recommendations or order more extensive dental work to correct any issues. Patients may use their six month checkups as an opportunity to notify the dentist of any symptoms they have observed or to ask questions about cosmetic dentistry and other treatments they may be interested in learning about.

Restorative Dentistry
Most people will require a restorative dental procedure at some point in their life. Restorative dentistry includes procedures that are intended to correct the aesthetics and preserve the health of a damaged tooth. Fillings, root canals, and crowns are a few examples of restorative procedures. Despite being very routine and common, restoration dentistry can cost several hundred and even thousands of dollars when fees are paid out of pocket. Therefore, everyone should enroll in a plan or discount program that significantly reduces the cost of restorative procedures and makes them affordable. Patients should not that some restorative procedures have different price points within a given procedure. For example, patients may choose amalgam or tooth-colored fillings. Some people may have concerns about the metallic composition of amalgam fillings; therefore, they prefer composite fillings that also more closely match the color of their tooth enamel. Composite fillings also tend to be more expensive than traditional amalgam; therefore, the patients may find themselves paying slightly more, though the procedure will still be discounted.

Oral Surgery
When oral surgery is necessary, the patient is typically in a lot of pain or has a serious oral health condition. Most people who require surgery do not want to delay their procedure as a result of not being able to afford it. Due to the serious nature and required skill level of oral surgery, patients typically pay higher fees for surgical procedures. In addition to the actual procedure, patients are also often required to have a sedative or intravenous anesthesia, which makes the total cost higher. Having a discount plan or insurance that covers oral surgery can make things more affordable should the necessity for such a procedure arise.

When choosing a plan or program to make dental care affordable, consumers should carefully examine the list of providers who accept the plan. Those who have a preferred dental care provider should contact the office and inquire whether they accent the plan the patient is considering purchasing. Individuals and families who do not have a preferred dentist should research the list of providers for their desired plan, evaluate patient reviews, and choose a dentist who is conveniently located and provides the services the patient will need. Having a designated dentist is not only vital to maintaining dental health, but it is also important to have a designated care provider to call in the event that a dental emergency arises.