Dental insurance is essential for all families to have. Having good oral hygiene can prevent a lot of issues in the future. When you have a family, you want to be the role model and take your children to the dentist for their cleanings and checkups. You may want to consider this pediatric dentist in Quantico, VA for your kids dental treatment.This will create good habits for when they’re adults.
However, dental care does come at a price if you don’t have insurance. If your job doesn’t provide dental insurance, it can seem overwhelming as to which dental plans are best.
We understand this, so we’ve put together our best tips for choosing the perfect dental insurance plan for you and your family.
Consider What is Most Important
Our teeth are similar to our parent’s, and your children’s will be like yours, it’s genetics. When thinking about a plan that will work for you and your family, you should consider what aspects of coverage are most important to you based on family history.
It’s likely that if you or your spouse had braces, at least one of your children will need them. If your parents had a problem with teeth falling out and need dentures, you might need dentures in the future as well.
Besides the basics, like cleanings, X-rays, and exams, you need to take an honest look at your family history. You can narrow down the plans that will work for you based on what you might need in the future.
Think about What You Can Afford
The more things that are covered under a dental plan, the more expensive it’s going to be. However, if you’re not included, and you or a family member needs something, it can be a lot of out of pocket expenses.
Some plans have copays or will only cover parts of the procedures. Thinking about all of these things is essential when you look at your finances.
Dental plans that cover braces will cost you more as soon as your child is born. If your plan doesn’t cover them though and your child does need them, it could cost as much as $7,000 out of pocket. This is for one set, not to mention if more than one child needs them.
You have to think in 10 to 15 years from when they’re born, are you going to be able to afford these expenses, or is paying a little bit each month for coverage better in the long run.
Ask Your Dentist Which Plans they Work With
Some people have been going to the same dentist since they were children, and you likely want to continue going there. Dentists work in a similar way that doctors do; some insurance plans are accepted, and others don’t.
Ask your dentist which plans are acceptable for their services. You can narrow down which companies you want to look more into if you’re going to stay with the same dentist. They could tell you which one works best based on your history of dental care.
Bundle when Possible
There are health insurance companies that will cover many things under one plan. This means that you’ll have standard health coverage for your primary care doctor and your dental, vision, skin, and other health care covered by the same company.
Bundling all of your health insurance together will make it easier for you to manage. You only have to remember one bill each month, and everything is covered. When there is a problem, you know exactly who to contact.
You can save money by bundling your dental insurance with your primary health insurance because companies want to make more money. Adding extra coverage will give more money to your insurance company, and it will likely be cheaper than starting with a brand new company for each.
Shop Around
Looking at multiple insurance plans will help you understand which one is best for you. You can look at price versus what is offered to you and your family. Some companies will work with you more and offer you better deals.
You can get free quotes online or speak to someone in person. Remember to keep in mind the essential coverages you want in a plan. You can even make a checklist or table so you can visually see what each company has to offer before making a decision.
Ask a Friend or Co-worker What They Have
Sometimes asking a friend or co-worker is the best way to go for advice. They’ll tell you the truth about their dental plan without trying to sell you anything. Your colleagues will have a similar salary, so you don’t have to worry about their recommendations being too expensive.
If your friends live by you, it will be even better because if you go on the same plan as for them, you’ll know that a dentist is nearby and in-network.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a dental insurance plan can be a little stressful when there are so many options. You want what’s best for you and your children with the ideal coverage.
Something to consider when deciding a dental plan is what coverage is essential based on family history and how much you want to pay. Other things are if your current dentist is in the network, ask about bundling with your health insurance, look around for the best deal, and ask a friend about their plan.