Are Dental Savings Plans Worth It?

Poor dental health affects not only your self-image but also your overall well-being. Oral diseases and conditions like gum disease, cavities and tooth loss can be disabling and cost consumers billions of dollars each year.

To make matters worse, 77 million adults in the United States have no dental insurance, limiting their ability to access the dental care they need, even in emergencies. Shockingly, the number of adults without dental insurance is three times that of adults without health insurance.

If you’re a senior or self-employed person and you don’t have dental insurance, you might be among the many people asking, “Are dental savings plans worth it?”

The answer to that question depends on your circumstances, but this article can give you the information you need to decide whether a dental savings plan is the right choice.

What Is a Dental Savings (Discount) Plan?

A dental savings plan is an arrangement that allows you to pay a discounted fee for dental services within a network. You sign up with a plan provider (often the same organization that provides standard dental insurance policies), pay an annual fee and receive a card to get discounted services.

Dental savings plans and dental discount plans are the same thing — the terms can be used interchangeably. However, it’s important to remember that a dental savings or discount plan isn’t the same as a dental insurance plan.

A dental insurance plan pays for all or part of the dental services you receive, comes with caps and limits and doesn’t cover all procedures. With a dental savings plan, the full price of a dental service is discounted, making it more affordable. 

10 Reasons Dental Savings Plans Are Worth It

Whether you have no dental insurance or are concerned about paying for dental services beyond your policy’s limits, here are 10 reasons dental savings plans can be a great investment.

1. Affordable Alternative to Dental Insurance

Dental savings plans aren’t dental insurance. That said, you might find a dental savings plan to be an affordable alternative to dental insurance if your goal is to lower the cost of expensive dental procedures, such as crowns, braces, bridges, dentures or implants or if you can’t afford insurance but want to keep up your oral hygiene.

Dental insurance can run from $350 for an individual to $550 for a family each year, with an average deductible of $50. Plans are typically billed monthly. By contrast, you might pay a third or half of that amount annually with no deductible for a dental savings plan.

2. Quick Online Enrollment Process

Enrolling in a dental savings plan is fast and easy. You can compare plans online, choose the one that best fits your needs and sign up online. You’ll receive a card to show to your dentist, and discounts will usually be available within 72 hours. 

3. Simplified Payment Process

There’s nothing complicated about paying for the services you receive with a dental savings plan — no need to worry about deductibles or copays.

You can check the fee schedule for the plan you joined to find out what you’ll pay for a particular service, and you pay the dentist directly at the time of service.

4. No Coverage Caps

Because dental savings plans aren’t insurance, there are no coverage caps or maximum spending limits. The dental services you receive are discounted as part of your membership in the plan.

Having no coverage caps or spending limits allows you to get expensive procedures faster and with fewer visits instead of waiting until the next coverage year, as some insurance policies dictate.

5. Access to Emergency Dental Care 

Because dental savings plans don’t impose wait requirements, you can get dental emergencies handled right away, whether at the dentist’s office or a hospital. It’s a good idea to check your coverage and choose a plan that covers anxiety-relief measures like nitrous oxide or sedation if you think you might need them during treatment.

6. Coverage for Preexisting Conditions

Unlike dental insurance, you can still qualify for dental savings plans if you have a preexisting condition. With traditional insurance, you might receive coverage for some dental services, but insurers may exclude paying for certain preexisting conditions.

If you have damaged or missing teeth, a dental savings plan may be the most affordable way to access dental services.

7. Save on Cosmetic Procedures

Most dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, dental bonding and veneers. Because you’ll have to pay out of your pocket for these procedures anyway, a dental savings plan can give you a discount on the treatments you need.

8. Best Option for Seniors and Self-Employed Individuals

If you’re a senior, you know Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care or emergency procedures. To access these services, you have to pay for dental insurance, just like someone who’s self-employed and doesn’t have the benefit of an employer’s dental plans.

Dental savings plans cost less than dental insurance, so they can be a good option if you’re self-employed or a senior and have maintained fairly good oral hygiene.

9. Discounted Healthcare Services

Some dental savings plans also come packaged with savings for vision, eyewear and hearing care. Many of these programs offer discounts ranging from 20% to 40% on eyewear and 35% to 70% on hearing care.

It’s important to assess your needs before comparing dental savings plans. You’ll also want to do your homework to make sure you’re getting coverage that suits your needs.

10. No Paperwork or Claims to Deal With

With a dental savings plan, your discounts are immediate — unlike dental insurance, there’s no paperwork or claim forms to file. When you have service done, you pay at the dental office, and that’s the end of the process.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Plan

The list of pros for enrolling in a dental savings plan is long. Among other things, it can make dental care less expensive, fill the gaps in limited dental insurance plans, prevent you from having to wait to receive treatment and help you avoid deductibles, copays, caps and limits.

Even so, there are a few possible downsides worth considering before you commit to a dental savings plan. Here are three things to think about:

• Dental savings plans don’t cover 100% of any dental service.
• These plans limit service providers by network.
• Dentist-specific plans may not transfer.

Despite these caveats, dental savings plans are still a great option for those who can’t afford or want to avoid going the traditional insurance route.

Find the Best Dental Savings Plans From Benzinga's Top Providers 

Enrolling in a dental savings plan is quick and easy. Use Benzinga’s handy comparison table to choose a plan that meets your needs from among several top providers:

A Dental Savings Plan May Be Right for You

Oral hygiene plays a key role in your quality of life. The health of your teeth and gums can impact how you feel, how you see yourself and how you perform in other aspects of life.

Hopefully, the information presented here will help you answer the question, “Are dental savings plans worth it?”

Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to dental insurance. They’re easy to enroll in, simple to use and free of caps, and they provide convenient access in emergencies. All in all, they can be a great help to seniors and self-employed people.

If dental insurance isn’t an option, a dental savings plan might be the next best thing.

Frequently Asked Questions