Between waiting periods, coverage maximums, and outright exclusions, there are many things that can fall between the cracks in dental insurance plans. So much, in fact, that many people are giving up dental insurance entirely. Fortunately, there are discount dental plans available and other ways to access affordable dental care for everyone, even without insurance.
California-based Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, for example, has not participated in dental insurance networks for more than two decades.
“Dental insurance is a misnomer … at best, it’s reimbursement,” Tina Ebrahimian tells Health. Ebrahimian manages the office where her husband has practiced dentistry for over 40 years.
“If your employer is paying it, great,” says Ebrahimian. However, for anyone paying their own premiums, she recommends reading the fine print carefully. “In the end, what you get reimbursed has a lot to do with the bottom line,” Ebrahimian adds, noting that amalgam fillings, which his practice stopped using decades ago, remain the standard in many dental insurance plans.
Dental insurance plans generally limit benefits to between $ 1,500 and $ 2,000. They tend not to cover adult orthodontics or implants that may be needed to replace teeth that have cracked (under the pressure of the pandemic, perhaps?). But none of this means you have to pay full price.
In-house payment plans and discounts
Dentists know exactly how expensive dental work can be and how little insurance can cover, so look for dentists who offer self-pay discounts or interest-free internal payment plans.
Dori Zinn, a Florida-based writer, and president of Blossomers Media, said she and her husband unsuccessfully searched for a dental insurance plan that meets the needs of her family, but ultimately decided against it. “We have our own small business and while there are some options for the self-employed, we haven’t found dental plans that provide us with much value,” Zinn said.
Instead, the family opted for a local dental practice that created its own uninsured discount program. “While relatively inexpensive, dental insurance doesn’t cover much,” she said.
Dental discount & membership plans
If you are looking for an alternative that is not tied to a specific dental office, consider a dental discount or membership plan. These plans charge an annual fee, usually around $ 100, instead of monthly premiums like traditional insurance plans. They offer discounts on dental services as long as you select a participating provider. Reliable options include the Aetna Access Discount Dental Card, Humana’s Savings Plus Dental Plan, and Cigna’s Dental Savings Program. DentalPlans also has a comprehensive list of options for you to examine.
These types of plans won’t keep you waiting for care, but they also don’t reimburse dentists after the fact, as dental insurance does. Patients with dental discounts and membership plans should be prepared to pay for services when they receive them.
Community clinics, dental schools & more
Not having a dental discount or membership plan does not yet mean you have to pay full price. Several communities and dental schools in the US offer free and discounted dental care, including community dental clinics that offer a sliding fee scale. West Virginia, for example, is home to mobile dental clinics in rural areas where dental care can be in short supply.
In the Midwest, the University of Illinois Chicago School of Dentistry offers discounts on services ranging from routine annual exams to expensive implants that are rarely covered by insurance plans. All procedures are supervised by members of the faculty. Similar services are offered by the Ohio State College of Dentistry, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and the University of Minnesota College of Dentistry.
And while they’re not a dental discount or membership plan, Wally Health aims to bridge the gap between dental visits, for about $ 10 a month. Wally provides remote access to a team of hygienists and regular deliveries of toothpaste and mouthwash.
“We consider ourselves complementary to seeing a dentist in person,” said Chelsea Patel of Wally. “It’s about making sure you do everything you can between visits.”
To find affordable services in your area, you can check the American Dental Association’s state resource list, as well as the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) database of local dental schools and other accredited dental programs.