Choosing Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance comes in four main forms: family, group, individual, and small business. Often, your employer will pick a plan based on employee input. You can either accept that plan or head off on your own. Using your company’s insurance is often the cheapest way to go.

Dental Versus Health Insurance

Though there is some cost involved, overall dental insurance is far cheaper than health insurance. National averages are at $20 to $40 a month for decent coverage. Group rates are always least expensive, but the plans will be tailored to cover the group’s needs. Group rates give major discounts because the company offering the dental insurance will be gaining a number of customers in one shot. Your company will either ask employees what coverage they need or guess needs, so the coverage may not always cover all of your concerns.

Individual Dental Insurance

Individual plans are sold to single people or a single family and do not utilize group rates at all. Individual dental insurance plans are more expensive, but the coverage is easily tailored to suit your needs. If you have young children who need orthodontic care, you can add it. With a group rate plan, if you are the only employee who needs orthodontic coverage, odds are you will not be getting your wish. Most individual plans are sold to the self-employed, those who have lost their jobs, or people who work for companies who do not offer insurance benefits.

Family Dental Insurance

Family plans can be sold through either group or individual rates. With family dental insurance, everyone in your immediate family (spouse/significant other and children) receive dental insurance coverage. This can save a family a bundle of money on dental care. Family plans should cover routine dental care, x-rays, fillings, oral surgeries, and orthodontics.

Check your plan carefully, as some dental insurance plans will not cover oral surgeries if you also have health insurance. Likewise, some health insurance companies will not cover oral surgeries if you have dental insurance. This can be something to resolve before settling on a plan.

Small businesses can also provide dental insurance coverage for their employees. Many companies sell dental insurance for companies who have between two and fifty employees. Small business dental insurance is usually affordable and well suited to the employees.

All dental insurance plans are tax deductible, so it is cost effective for both employer and employee. With so much to gain, you should not miss your chance to protect your teeth and your health.