Dental Plans for Students

Dental plans for students are not the same as dental insurance; they are actually special plans that offer heavy discounts for treating preexisting conditions from day one of signing with the dental plan provider. There are many student dental plans available throughout the country. Colleges and universities usually design their own dental plans or provide information to their students on how to find the best providers.

Benefits of Student Dental Plans

• Signing up for a dental plan instead of insurance can yield several rewards: There may be no deductibles or co-pays; X-rays and exams may be free of charge; the plans may cover cosmetic services; and there may be no annual maximum or minimum coverage. While researching your options, you may discover how to find a referral to see a specialist who provides a 25 percent discount or who can help you save 60 percent of the total cost of dental care.

How to Find the Best Providers

• Many colleges offer dental plans for enrolled students. Colleges also invite various dental insurance providers to their campuses to provide their students with easy access to such plans. One such example is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which provides dental insurance plan coverage after you complete appointment papers. The University has collaborated with Delta Dental of Illinois for the provision of tailor-made student dental plans. New York University's College of Dentistry also offers dental plans. As the college has a teaching institution in this field, it is easy to work out a simple and highly cost-effective plan. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) facilitates a graduate student dental plan through a local provider, Delta Dental of Massachusetts.

When to Enroll

• Enrollment in a dental plan is almost always a voluntary option for students, and coverage begins immediately upon enrollment. Often, there is a cut-off time of enrollment which corresponds to the first day of the semester. It is important to consult your college's wellness center or check carefully in your college/university handbook about such offers.

Variations of Dental Plans Available

• Carefully research all student dental plans before making a decision. There are many types out there, each providing different and attractive benefits. For example, American Dental Plus offers a special for roommates who sign up for a combined policy under their student dental plans.

  Each college designs its plans to reap the maximum benefit for its students. For example, New York University's students are offered diagnostic care such as twice-yearly oral examinations and X-rays; restorative treatment; preventive care; and highly discounted fees (20 percent off on services that are not included in the plan and 10 percent off on orthodontic treatment). The yearly membership fee is $225.

  In comparison, MIT students can pay Delta Dental $302 annually and receive free diagnostic and preventive services. For restorative services the coverage is 70 percent of the fee, and for prosthodontic services (dentures, crowns) it is 40 percent.

  All figures are as of May 2011.