Is Dental Insurance Worth Getting?

Dental insurance is more affordable than coverage for other health care practitioners, but since checkups and other procedures may be needed less often than doctors' visits, some people wonder if it's necessary. However, the cost of untreated and undiagnosed conditions can rise into the thousands of dollars, and new research suggests that periodontal disease could be linked to other inflammatory conditions.

What's Covered?

• Most dental insurance plans focus on two checkups per year, which are recommended for people and which include a dentist's review of oral health issues, as well as a cleaning. Depending on what people can afford, coverage may also extend to some kinds of surgical procedures, including extractions, or braces and retainers fitted by orthodontic professionals. The differences in price are often reflected in the out-of-pocket costs borne by patients for deductibles and monthly premiums.

Costs

• Dental insurance costs a fraction of other health insurance options, roughly one-tenth of comparable medical coverage in terms of co-insurance and deductible costs. Depending on the plan that one purchases, a year of dental insurance may cost less than a monthly health plan premium. Factors that can influence the rate include the amount that consumers are willing to pay for twice yearly checkups, as well as deductibles on dental and orthodontic procedures.

Alternatives

• While some people with limited incomes choose to forgo dental care, those who are interested in oral hygiene and services can still get dental and orthodontic work done. Many clinics and some dentists' offices offer free or reduced checkups and procedures for those who cannot afford them on their own. Patients may also be able to negotiate lower rates with their dentists if they demonstrate need or are able to pay upfront for procedures and visits.

Oral Healthcare

• The common image of a dentist drilling out a cavity is one element of care that dental insurance can help make more affordable. Others include abscesses that can form and require root canals as well as gum disease that can sometimes be painful or lead to other oral issues. Finally, a dentist may be the first point of contact for people worried about wisdom teeth extractions and alignment problems that could be improved by orthodontists.

Effects on Body

• Recent research suggests that professional oral care can impact your overall health. Scientists have found links between periodontal disease, which can cause inflammation at the cellular level, and other inflammatory conditions. Those include chronic conditions that can prove costly over time, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease that may be exacerbated by obesity. Going to a dentist for a checkup may allow patients to find out if they are susceptible to chronic diseases before going to other health care professionals.