Affordable Dental Insurance Alternatives

Two drawbacks of traditional dental insurance are (1) relatively high monthly premiums and (2) long waiting periods before major dental procedures are covered.

However, affordable and worthwhile alternatives to costly dental insurances do exist.

First introduced in the 1970’s, discount dental plans have emerged as viable alternatives. There are a growing number of choices available, but you have to be careful before you commit. The fact is that many dental plans are simply too new and inexperienced to offer the important features that most people require. They haven't been around long enough to have developed a large network of plan dentists, nor have they been able to negotiate the level of savings that you need or want.

Stay away from the pretenders and get the best dental discounts available. Here are some suggestions:

Opt for a seasoned dental plan. Many plans are relatively new. They have not had time to assemble the large network of dentists needed to serve a large volume of customers. At the same time, they haven't signed up enough plan members to attract a large number of participating dentists. It really is a Catch 22 and the only solution is time. However, some dental plan companies have been in business for more than 30 years, adding both plan members and plan dentists every year.

A larger selection of plan dentists is good for dental plan customers. Plus having more dentists creates more competition, which allows an older, more experienced dental plan to negotiate better discounts on behalf of its customers.

Research the cost of basic dental procedures. It helps to know before you select a dental plan. That way, you have a good starting point to judge the scope of your savings. With dental insurance, you may be able to get coverage, but it usually comes at a higher price and typically doesn't cover major, existing dental conditions for at least a year. The alternative is an experienced and affordable dental plan, where you pay a very small premium for very big dental discounts immediately.

Check to see if the dental plan you are considering happens to work with high profile clients. It is not just individuals and families who are looking for affordable alternatives to dental insurance. Today, many large corporations offer dental plans to their employees as a workplace benefit. Some large healthcare companies partner with experienced dental plans in order to market a more comprehensive package of healthcare benefits to the general public. It is a positive sign if the dental plan you are considering for yourself is also one that large companies have selected to offer to their valued employees, or one that large companies have selected to add to their own business mix.

Get affordable dental work now. Unlike traditional dental insurance, there are no delays with most dental plans. Some will send you a temporary ID card by e-mail a few minutes after you join online. This is especially useful if you’re in pain and require dental care ASAP.

Quality dental insurance alternatives are available if you take the time to look for them. If you want worthwhile dental savings, heed the suggestions above. Just because you break a tooth doesn't mean you have to break the bank.