While health insurance is considered necessary, most people have more choice when it comes to dental coverage. Most dental emergencies, such as replacing teeth that have been knocked out in an accident, are covered under a standard health policy. Other things, like fillings and crowns, can be paid for by dental coverage. Issues with the teeth are nowhere near as expensive as things that go wrong with the rest of the body. This makes dental insurance less vital, but it’s still important.
Consider what kind of dentist you want, how much you can afford to pay, and what level of coverage you need. If you already go to a dentist, you might want a policy that allows you to continue seeing them. If you have health insurance, check to see if you can add dental coverage to your current policy. This can save you money.
Dental insurance covers cleanings, x-rays, and checkups. This benefit alone can save you hundreds a year, depending on what your dentist charges for these services. Dental coverage also pays for crowns, fillings, root canals and such. These policies usually don’t cover things like braces, whitening, or veneers. For that, you’ll need cosmetic coverage.
Most policies come with a waiting period. This protects the companies from people who wait to sign up until a problem arises. If people could get covered immediately, the company would be spending a lot more. Generally a waiting period can range from 3 months to a year.
Dental coverage isn’t financially sensible for everyone. It really depends on the amount of coverage you need, the premium you’ll pay, annual maximums, and other factors. If you usually need only basic work, and not more expensive treatments, you may spend less if you pay for the treatments yourself. For more expensive treatments, most policies only cover fifty percent, leaving you to pay the balance. For these people, they’d be better off just setting aside some money to pay for their own dental work.
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