Dental Discount Plans vs Dental Insurance Word Count: 527 Summary: DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS A dental discount plan may be an attractive and affordable alternative to dental insurance. Some people who already have dental insurance find that they save even more by adding a dental discount plan too. They are usually very affordable, do not have waiting periods, and often cover many procedures -- like cosmetic and orthodontics -- that traditional dental insurance will not cover! DENTAL INSURANCE Traditional dental insurance has some drawba... Keywords: discount dental plans, discount orthodontics, dental plans Article Body: DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS A dental discount plan may be an attractive and affordable alternative to dental insurance. Some people who already have dental insurance find that they save even more by adding a dental discount plan too. They are usually very affordable, do not have waiting periods, and often cover many procedures -- like cosmetic and orthodontics -- that traditional dental insurance will not cover! DENTAL INSURANCE Traditional dental insurance has some drawbacks. With expensive premiums, high deductibles, and low yearly maximums, it may be hard to see how a dental insurance plan saves much money at all. Many dental insurance plans will offer generous coverage on routine care like checkups, cleanings, and simple x-rays. However those services are usually fairly inexpensive anyway. When a family needs more coverage, they may find that their out of pocket costs surprise them. Complex fillings and crowns usually still require large copayments, and many dental insurance companies do not even cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or dentures at all! Some of the problems with many Dental Insurance Plans include: Limitations, deductibles and annual maximums Waiting periods for major dental procedures Tedious and time-consuming written claims process Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions Certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry, are rarely covered Consumers pay expensive monthly premiums for defined coverage Typically inaccessible to individuals and families unless provided by their employer Some of the characteristics of Discount Dental Plans include: No annual limits, members enjoy discounts on most dental services all year long Most plans activate right away, within 1 to 3 business days, and have no waiting periods! No tiresome paperwork hassles, plan membership card is presented for discounts on most dental services No health restrictions and no age restrictions. Select plans include discounts on dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics Consumers pay affordable membership fees for access to a network of providers offering discounts on most dental procedures Available directly to individuals, families, businesses and groups Many families who have dental insurance at work find that they have more flexibility, and save more money by adding a dental discount plan! This is because the discount dental plan may cover services that dental insurance does not cover. The dental discount plans use a huge network of US dentists, and so some families find it easier to find a nearby dental provider too. Dental plans make it easy to find dentists! They have simple online searches, by zip code or dentist name. You can find out if your current dentist accepts the plan or find a new dentist in your area. Many families who do not have dental insurance at work will put off routine dental care because they are concerned about the cost. However, this is never a good idea. If a person neglects regular checkups and cleanings, worse problems will develop in the future. Many discount dental plans even offer free, or very inexpensive, routine care like checkups, cleanings, and x-rays. Some dental plans also offer other medical discounts. They arrange special deals with vision care providers, pharmacies, vitamin stores, and other outlets for health needs. With dental plans costing a few dollars a month, most will do more than pay for themselves!