Dental Insurance 101
You brush your teeth twice a day, floss and rinse with mouthwash because that’s what you were told to do. But this routine is best for much more than fresh, minty breath. Did you know that oral hygiene is related to other aspects of your health? For example, a person with poor oral health has a higher risk of heart disease. Oh! It’s a good thing you’ve been brushing diligently. But you can do even more by taking advantage of what a dental insurance policy can offer.
A good dental plan provides coverage for a variety of dental treatments (coverage varies between policy options), such as:
- teeth cleaning routine
- Emergency dental care and procedures
- fillings and crowns
- Orthodontics
- accidental dental injuries
- Reconstructive or plastic surgery after injury or oral cancer
Dental insurance is very different from medical insurance for two main reasons:
- The low cost makes dental plans affordable for individuals, families and businesses that offer dental services as part of a benefits package.
- A dental plan encourages and often pays for routine checkups.
What does this mean for you? Unlike some types of insurance products, people with a dental plan begin to benefit immediately. It is a good rule of thumb to visit your dentist for a dental cleaning every six months. When these visits are covered and the pressure is out of your pocket, it’s easier to stick to a regular dental care schedule. Maintaining good oral health can be expensive on its own, but with a reasonable monthly premium you can keep those bills from sneaking up on you.
There are several dental policies available, including but not limited to:
- PPO plans: With this plan, clients are introduced to a group of dentists who provide dental care to patients within the group at a discounted rate.
- Direct Refund: Also known as Self-Insurance, this is an option of choice for businesses because it is likely to save them money in the event that employees do not take advantage of their benefits. With this plan, employees are invited to visit their preferred dentist for services. The patient pays the dentist and is then financed by his employer.
- Compensation programs: With this plan, you are free to choose your own dentist. A patient pays the dentist and then their insurance company pays a fixed portion of the total fees.
If you’re shopping for a dental policy, our agents can help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Visit us on our website today for a free Tampa dental insurance quote.