Good dental health, in addition to correcting dental problems, is essential for overall health. Many Americans find themselves without effective dental coverage to treat and maintain their dental needs. This is in part because companies are increasingly reducing or offering lower dental coverage at prices that many cannot afford. So what should people do? As a result, people have started looking for alternatives for their dental coverage needs, especially online. The number one question people ask themselves is, “What’s the difference between dental insurance and discount dental plans?”

There are clear differences between the way dental insurance plans work and discount dental plans. Typically, large groups and companies use dental insurance to cover dental care for their employees. Dental insurance is true insurance in which monthly premiums are paid for defined coverage. Dental insurance is not available to individuals and families, unless provided by your employer. Disadvantages of dental insurance include annual benefit maximums, deductibles, waiting periods for procedures, and limitations and exclusions. There are also claim forms to complete and submit. Often times, dental insurance doesn’t even cover the cost of preventive measures until deductibles are met. You can use any dentist, but monthly dental insurance premiums can be up to $ 30 per month for individuals and more than $ 100 per month for family plans.

Discount dental plans or “fee-for-service” plans, on the other hand, are available to everyone, regardless of whether you are covered by a group plan or not. Fee-for-service plans are designed to provide clients with dental networks at reduced rates or, better yet, pay a certain amount and only that amount for services rendered. Discount dental plans are affordable and are the most widely available dental programs for individuals and families. These discount plans work differently from dental insurance plans, but provide consumers with real and substantial savings on most dental procedures. Discount dental plans are membership-based programs that generally provide coverage annually.

Consumers pay a membership fee in exchange for guaranteed discounts on most dental services, such as dental exams, routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, crowns, and braces. Typically, these plans save the consumer 10 to 60 percent off most standard out-of-pocket costs when visiting a participating network provider. Most discount dental plans provide a “rate schedule” with the discounted rates listed in the membership materials to ensure that consumers receive the promised savings.

While there are several differences between traditional dental insurance plans and discount dental plans, they can also be used together in certain situations to maximize savings. Gulf Breeze Insurance Inc. offers both plans, but prefers to discount the service plan fee for the basic fact that our clients like to save money and most need dental coverage now with no waiting period or stipulations on the money they spend. The fact that you know exactly what you are getting and saving is enough to make these plans better than any other. Many dentists will even tell you when you pay how much you just saved.