Maintaining your oral health is a crucial part of your overall well-being. A simple toothache can turn into a major problem if left untreated. According to the American Dental Association, there is a very important reason to consider purchasing an individual dental insurance plan: The sooner a dental issue is treated, the less expensive that treatment will be. While most medical needs and treatments are unpredictable, thus requiring insurance to cover the high costs, dental needs and treatments are not. Most often, dental needs are preventable or treatable if detected on time. This means, regular check-ups and routine treatments are necessary in order to maintain proper oral health—and save you time and money in the long run. However, even the cost of regular dental care can be pricey. That is why many people are turning to individual dental plans in an effort to save money.
The first thing to note when searching for a dental plan is that they are not considered insurance plans. Most companies refer to dental plans as “referral plans” or “buyers’ clubs.” This is because you pay a monthly fee to a third party in order to gain access to a list of dentists who have agreed to provide lower fees on various services. An individual dental plan provides lower fees on both preventive and restorative treatments, such as regular check-ups, cleaning, filing, crowns, and root canals. Depending on the plan, you may also receive lower fees on oral surgery, dentures, and much more.