Do you need dental insurance to go to the dentist?
Many times, people without dental insurance avoid going to the dentist because they assume they won’t be able to afford it. Yet, when you visit the dentist, you’re seeing a professional who can diagnose and treat oral health conditions. If you don’t get them treated, you might end up needing more drastic and expensive procedures.
As such, you can end up saving yourself money by visiting your dentist in a regular fashion. Below, we’ll go into some of the reasons you should visit the dentist even if you don’t have dental insurance. We’ll also discuss some payment alternatives to help you save money.
Keep reading to learn more and start looking after your oral health!
Do You Need Dental Insurance? Is It Beneficial?
In short, you don’t need dental insurance to visit the dentist.
Most dentists accept insurance plans. Dental insurance often makes affording certain procedures easier for people. Those who have dental insurance often save hundreds of dollars on individual treatments.
However, some of these savings get offset by the fact that insurance holders need to pay premiums. When you have insurance, you’ll pay a monthly fee in order to keep it. Most of the time, these premiums end up costing individuals hundreds per year. Families may pay more in premiums than individuals.
Unless you need extensive work, your regular dental check-ups might cost less than this. As such, some people choose to forego getting dental insurance and prefer to pay for the costs out-of-pocket.
So, you should consider your own finances and dental care needs before deciding whether you should get insurance.
What to Consider When You Look for Dental Insurance
If you decide to get dental insurance, you need to consider several different factors.
First, you need to take a look at the cost of the premium. If you can’t afford to pay the premium, you might get behind on the payments or lose the insurance. If you don’t want to pay a premium on a monthly basis, look for insurance plans that allow you to pay the annual amount all at once.
Next, you should research what the dental insurance plan covers. Many dental insurance plans only provide minimum coverage. So, you might not get as much out of your insurance as you want to.
At a minimum, you want to make sure any dental insurance plan covers two cleanings a year. It should also cover most of the basic dental procedures, such as crowns and fillings.
Finally, consider whether you want a PPO or HMO plan. If you choose an HMO plan, you’ll need to select a dentist and stick with them. The dentist can then refer you to specialists if needed.
A PPO allows you more flexibility. You can go to any dentist who accepts your insurance plan. You also don’t need a referral to get coverage. Yet, PPOs are often more expensive than HMOs.
How to Afford Dental Care with No Insurance
Answering the question, “Do you need dental insurance?” can help you determine the next steps to take toward more affordable dental care.
Even if you decide against getting dental insurance, there are many ways to save money on dental care. First, whenever your dentist recommends a procedure, you should ask how much it will cost you. If it’s too expensive, ask the dentist about your alternative options.
If you don’t have any alternative options, you have a choice to make. You can either look for a dentist who provides the service for cheaper or get on a payment plan.
To find a dentist who offers less expensive services, call around. Ask to speak to the billing department of the dentist’s office. Record what each financial officer tells you and compare the prices. Then, schedule an appointment with the dentist who offers procedures at the cheapest price.
What Is a Payment Plan?
Dentists want to make their services available to a wider variety of people. In doing so, many recognize that they need to make their services more affordable for those who can’t afford to pay all at once.
Some dentists institute payment plans to solve this problem. When you get on a payment plan, your overall owed amount doesn’t decrease. Instead, you agree to pay a certain amount of money every month. Doing so allows you to save up and makes the payments more manageable.
Under most payment plans, you keep paying until the amount you owe is paid off.
If you need a procedure done, discuss payment plan options with your dentist. Most dentists will work with your budget to determine how much you’ll pay each month. So, you should have an idea of how much you can afford to spend each month on your dental procedures.
Are You Ready to Get Your Dental Procedures Done?
When answering the question “Do you need dental insurance?” you should consider your options in a careful manner.
If you decide to get a dental insurance plan, you need to look into how many dentists in your area accept that policy. If you don’t, you might accidentally limit your options.
Before you decide on a dentist, you need to look at their reviews. That way, you can figure out how well dentists have treated their other patients.
Want the best dental care available in the Brentwood area? Take a look at our services today, or schedule an appointment to get started!