About Supplemental Dental Insurance

Few people can afford to go to the dentist these days. The price tags attached to common dental procedures are well out of range of the working-class individual unless he has a dental plan. Even then, most group policies only cover a fraction of the total cost. Nowadays, individuals not only need a primary dental insurance but a secondary, or supplemental, policy as well.

History

• Supplemental dental insurance is not anything new, although the way it operates has changed significantly. Early supplemental policies provided nothing more than backup to the primary insurance company. The supplemental policies of today are flexible and made available to almost anyone. Some can be tapped into through organizations like chambers of commerce, unions and businesses groups. Others are open to individuals or families.

Types

• There are different types of supplemental dental insurance plans. Dental Health Maintenance Plans let people obtain the services they need through a group of dentists that have agreed to provide the care at a pre-established amount. Since this type of plan is for preventative care and maintenance, dentists may receive bonuses for keeping patients healthy.
  Dental Discount Plans provide a way to obtain dental care at a reduced cost. Discount amounts vary from plan to plan and from service to service. This type of plan is helpful to those who have no dental plan or an inferior one. Since there is an established discount amount for each service, the patient knows the cost he will incur going in to the procedure.
  The Preferred Provider Network Plan is usually made available through businesses or organizations to which the individual is connected, although these groups pay no part of the plan. The full cost is born by the patient. With PPNs, patients choose from a group of dentists within an established network. The plan agrees to pay an established dental fee, based upon the service provided. Any additional costs must also be borne by the insured.
  Scheduled dental plans pay the remaining portion of dental fees that a primary plan does not cover. Such plans run on a calendar year and are limited to an established sum of money within that time frame. Additional fees incurred beyond that automatically become the responsibility of the patient.

Misconceptions

• Many people assume supplemental dental plans are very expensive. While that can be true in some cases, it is not always the case. There are different types of supplemental plans, some of which are easily affordable. Because supplemental plans are varied, there is one that will fit into almost any budget.

Benefits

• The obvious benefit of supplemental dental insurance is that it provides individuals with dental coverage that they might not otherwise have. While supplemental insurance seldom offers a full range of dental services, it usually reaches beyond standard dental care. Considering that many dental services run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars, that often means the difference between obtaining dental care or having to let it pass.

Potential

• The greatest potential this type of insurance provides is an overall healthier individual. Physicians are still learning how poor dental care can have a negative influence on the whole body. The bacteria spawned by poor dental care can spread throughout the bloodstream to have serious long-term effects on various organs of the body, including the heart.