If you’ve ever wondered whether dental insurance is a good investment for you, you’re not alone. Dental benefits can be confusing, and it’s hard to determine what you need unless you consult with someone who knows everything involved in dental insurance benefits. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different benefits you could need in the course of a year, what you might want in dental benefits, and how much you can expect to pay for coverage.
Dental Care You May Need Covered by Your Dental Insurance
When it comes to dental benefits you want from your plan, there are several services that you could require in a year, such as preventative care, basic services, major services, orthodontic care, and periodontics.
- Preventative care: Services like routine cleanings, x-rays, and checkups.
- Basic services: fillings, simple extractions, and other minor dental procedures.
- Major services: crowns, root canals, and bridges (typically more expensive)
- Orthodontic care for people who require braces or other dental appliances
- Periodontics: treatment for gum disease
What Do You Need Most in Dental Insurance Benefits?
Choosing the right dental benefit depends on your individual needs. Some people may only require preventative care, while others may need coverage for basic and major services, orthodontic care or periodontics.
When deciding what you want in a dental benefit, it’s important to consider the cost. Dental insurance plans can range from $20 to $52 per month and, for a family, can range from $150 to $200 a month.
Dental insurance can act as a budgeting tool, enabling you to spread your dental costs out across the whole year. How much are you willing to spend in premium and coverage throughout the course of the year for the dental care that you may think you need or may end up needing?
It’s also important to consider waiting periods on most plans if you were not previously covered when you start looking for new dental insurance. The waiting period could be six months for basic services and 12 months for major services. This waiting period may cause some people to question whether dental insurance is the right benefit for them.
Choosing the Right Dental Insurance
If you’re unsure about what dental benefit is right for you, it’s essential to consult with an experienced professional. At MBhealth Insurance Agency, our agents help people choose the right dental benefit for their needs on a daily basis.
It’s also important to note that employees at companies may be provided dental insurance through an employer, and that’s a completely different animal. It’s also important to know that this type of coverage is usually deducted pre-tax, making it a valuable employee benefit. But if it isn’t, we can help you find a standalone policy.
Examples of Dental Insurance Benefits
To provide you with a few examples of dental benefits, let’s consider two scenarios. If you’ve never had dental issues in your life, a preventative-only plan may be the best option. As mentioned, these plans can run for as little as $20 to $25 a month and typically cover two cleanings and routine preventative care per year at 100 percent.
On the other hand, if you have a family of four and require eight routine cleanings per year, it may be worth investing in a plan that covers preventative, basic, and major services. While this type of coverage will cost more, it could be worth it if you anticipate needing extensive dental work in the future.
Finding Your Best Dental Plan
Dental insurance can be a great investment for your overall health care and budget, but it’s important to carefully consider your options and choose a plan that fits your individual needs. Working with an experienced insurance professional, like the agents at MBhealth Insurance Agency, can make the decision-making process much easier. We can help you understand the different benefits available, determine what coverage is best for you, and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your insurance plan. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (314) 544-5400 to learn more.