Are you looking for ways to save money on professional oral healthcare? Either dental insurance or a dental discount plan could help you do that. But which option is better? That really depends on your preferences and circumstances. This blog post provides a generalized comparison of each provision; hopefully, it will help you make a decision that you can feel confident about.

Dental Insurance

If you choose a PPO dental insurance plan, it is likely that you will get to enjoy the following benefits:

• Preventive care is usually 100% covered. This includes exams, X-rays, cleanings, and other basic services.
• Restorative care is often 50 – 80% covered. The level of coverage you receive will depend on whether you require a minor procedure or a major one.
• PPO insurance plans allow you to visit virtually any dentist, regardless of whether they are in your network.

A few potential downsides of traditional dental insurance include:

• There may be a waiting period of 6 – 12 months before restorative services are covered.
• Most plans enforce an annual maximum (a year limit on how much the insurance company will pay out for approved services).
• Some services, such as cosmetic care, are unlikely to be covered.

Dental Discount Plan

A typical dental discount plan comes with the following advantages:

• Preventive care is included for no additional fee.
• You can enjoy a discount on virtually all services, including those not covered by traditional insurance.
• There are no waiting periods or annual maximums.
• Often, a dental discount plan costs less than dental insurance.

Of course, dental discount plans do come with a few disadvantages:

• You may have to pay more out of pocket for restorative services than you would with traditional insurance.
• You can only use a dental discount plan at specific practices (some are limited to a single practice).

Which Should You Choose?

Both dental insurance and dental discount plans have their pros and cons. Often, dental insurance is great for people who travel a lot, as well as those who know they will need some restorative care. Dental discount plans are usually wonderful for individuals who want to maintain an already healthy smile. Carefully examine the details of any options that are available to you so you can make a decision based on your unique situation.

Meet the Practice

The experts at Abington Family Dental Care are proud to provide comprehensive general dentistry services to our community. We know that many of our patients are concerned about the rising cost of living, so we offer the Essential Dental discount plan, and we accept more than 200 different insurance plans. If you are curious about how we might be able to help you save money on a healthy smile, contact our office at 781-780-2658.