Individual Health Dental Plan - Dental Insurance or Dental Discount Plans - Which is "Really" Best?

By Joe Stewart

So this is the deal...You need to see a dentist, but you're not sure whether you should be searching for dental insurance or a good dental discount plan. Also, would it be better to buy an individual health dental plan or one of the many family dental plans available? Let's take a look at some of these options and then you can make an educated decision on which dental plan would be best for you.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance used to be the only option that you had and many people don't realize that there are other options available, other than dental insurance, now that can potentially give them a broader range of benefits and save them much more money on most dental procedures. However, if you've had a dental insurance policy in place for more than two to five years, then you should see some decent coverage on most major procedures.

Most dental insurance policies have what is known as a "waiting period" before you can be seen for any type of pre-existing condition. Most of these waiting periods are 6-12 months in duration. Even after the waiting period most policies won't cover certain procedures and if they do choose to cover them then they'll do it at a low savings rate, such as 10%.

Let me give you an example of how a dental insurance plan would not be a good buy.

Let's say that you have a toothache and, after visiting a dentist, discover that you must have a root canal performed on one of your teeth. Unless your insurance policy has been in effect for six to twelve months then you'll have to pay 100% of this procedure out of pocket. Many plans will pay up to half once the waiting period has ended.

Most dental insurance policies are not cheap either. If you are still undecided about whether you should buy a family dental plan or if you'd be better off buying an individual health dental plan then consider that dental insurance for an entire family can cost as much as $100.00 a month U.S. and, for most families, that's just not in their budget. It's no wonder that seven out of ten people in the United States have no type of dental coverage at all. They simply cannot afford it.

Dental Discount Plans

Dental discount plans are networks of dentists that have agreed to take a substantially reduced rate for dental procedures if the member agrees to pay cash at the time of the visit. This is a great deal for some people, if they're prepared for the visit. In other words, if you'll be needing a root canal, as in the example above, then you would save as much as 50-60% off of the cost, which could be as much as $400-$500.00. However, you would need to have the rest of the money "cash in hand" when you visit the dentist.

By using a dental discount plan you don't pay large monthly premiums. Most are under $20.00 per month, but, as stated above, you must have the cash in hand when you go to the dentist in order to pay for your visit.

Are dental discount plans a great deal or is dental insurance the way to go? That will depend on your finances and which plan you choose.

Do Dental Discount Plans Really Save You Money or is Dental Insurance The Way To Go? Find Out The REAL Truth by Visiting Discount-Dental.net or by clicking on Individual Health Dental Plan. Joe Stewart is a former Life And Health Insurance Agent that now works for himself by providing solid, expert information to consumers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Stewart

Texas Dental Insurance Information

By Glenn Lamb

As a Texas dental insurance agent I often have people ask if this is insurance worth getting. My answer is that it is an excellent value for someone that will make good use of it.

Most dentists will tell you that the most important things for dental health are frequent brushing and flossing plus regular checkups and cleaning. In most cases two visits a year are the suggested minimum. Unfortunately some people neglect the routine visits and will only go to the dentist when extreme pain drives them there! By then there is often a serious problem that will be expensive. There is some research that poor dental health can lead to other health issues. The “wait for pain for dental visits” is really not a good plan!

For those that are willing to do regular visits a dental plan is a great value. Plan savings for 2 semi-annual check-ups with x-rays and cleaning will normally more than cover the monthly plan costs. (It is also easier to pay a small monthly payment than a larger lump sum for service.) When you need other things like fillings, extractions, gum treatments, and crowns, the savings will add up.

If you can get dental coverage from your employer, that is usually the best value. If your employer doesn’t offer dental insurance there are several good plans available. The cost for an individual is usually around $20, depending on the coverage provided. One good choice is the Unicare plan. Texas residents can get a quote and sign up at my Texas Unicare insurance site. (Authorized independent agent) You can also call my Houston office at 281-537-2700 for more information.

Lamb Insurance Agency, (Farmers Insurance) Dental, Health, Auto, Home, Life, and Business Insurance for Texas - http://houston-auto-insurance.com or http://houston-homeowners-insurance.com

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Dental Insurance; Am I Covered?

By Lance Winslow

Most people do require major dental work sometime in their life. It seems that with the human species living longer that indeed the teeth cannot hold out that long. If your teeth start going at age 55 or 60 then obviously you will need to do something about this as those of us that live in the United States the life expectancy now is pushing the upper 80's and mid-90's on average. In the next generation you can expect this number to increase again.

Some believe that those being born today may in fact live forever due to the rapid advances of science and if that is true everyone will have artificial teeth someday. So it makes sense to have dental insurance, as most medical coverages do have some dental, but if you need major dental work, you better check on that. As most folks are not covered and the dental work costs are substantial these days.

It might make sense to get with an insurance expert and ask them about dental insurance and work hard to understand what is covered and what is not. As you get older you may find your risk increasing sharply for the need to have major dental work even if you have brushed your teeth every day of your life and flossed too. Some of it is genetics and some is just the luck of the draw, be wise and check it out.

I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Dental Discount Plans - Get The Dental Care You Need At the Price You Can Afford