Is a Dental Savings Plan Right for You?

Dental insurance can be a great asset for making oral care more affordable. However, it is not your only option. Many people choose to sign up for a dental savings plan (also called a dental discount plan) instead. Just how do dental savings plans work, and how can you decide if this arrangement is right for you? This blog post provides some helpful information.

What Is a Dental Savings Plan?

A dental savings plan is not insurance. Rather, it is usually a private arrangement provided by a specific dental practice or dental group. In exchange for a yearly or monthly fee, you get to enjoy reduced fees on a range of services.

Every dental savings plan is unique. Some of the higher-priced ones completely cover the cost of preventive care, whereas others just make such services a bit more affordable. Outside of preventive care, you may get to enjoy reduced fees on virtually all other services, including those that are not usually covered by dental insurance. For example, things like teeth whitening and other cosmetic treatments may be included.

Should You Sign Up for a Dental Savings Plan?

Here are some indications that a dental savings plan might be right for you:

• You do not get insurance through your employer. Often, a savings plan is more affordable than paying for dental insurance on your own.
• Your teeth are fairly healthy. With a savings plan, you are likely to pay more out-of-pocket for restorative treatments, such as fillings and crowns, than you would with dental insurance coverage.
• You have a dentist whom you trust. Typically, you can only use a dental savings plan at a single practice. This tends to work well for individuals who do not travel a lot and who have a dentist that they strongly prefer over others.
• You need benefits right away. Dental insurance plans usually enforce a waiting period of 6 – 12 months before you can use your benefits for restorative services. In contrast, you can take full advantage of your dental savings plan from the moment you sign up for it.
• You want to fill gaps left by your insurance. You usually cannot use a dental savings plan and your insurance at the same time. However, you might choose to use them at different times in order to maximize your savings.

A dental savings plan can be a valuable provision! Talk to your favorite dentist to find out if they offer this kind of arrangement and what it involves.

Meet the Practice

At DeMartino Dental Group in Phillipsburg, we welcome dental insurance, and we offer a convenient in-house savings plan. We can also help you apply for a low-interest payment plan if you would like to pay for your treatment over time. We do not want you to be overly stressed about the monetary aspect of your care, so if you would like to learn more about out financial policies, reach out to our friendly team at 908-859-5260.