Dental Discount Plans

A bill that’s bigger than your monthly rent can be panic-inducing. Because of this, the cost of dental care can often be a barrier to essential dental treatment.

On the bright side, there are various ways to reduce the total cost of dental care—one of which is dental discount plans. Let’s explore how these plans function, when they’re most beneficial, and how to select one without being caught off guard.

What are Dental Discount Plans?

Dental discount plans, or dental savings plans, are affordable alternatives to dental insurance. They offer discounted rates for dental services provided by dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons within their network.

Rather than covering a percentage of costs like insurance, these plans offer negotiated price reductions for services such as cleanings, fillings, or even braces.

Dental discount plans are great for people who don’t have access to health insurance. They’re also great for people whose healthcare plans don’t cover dental care.

How Dental Discount Plans Work

When you enroll for a dental discount plan, you’ll need to pay an annual membership fee of around $100 to $200. The price for families can range from $150 to $330.

Once you’re enrolled, you’ll receive a discount card or digital pass that proves your membership. The membership card can take up to 72 hours to activate.

You can use this card with in-network dentists to save 10% to 60% on dental care. Instead of claiming expenses later or dealing with insurance forms, you pay the dentist directly at a reduced rate. 

Discount plans also don’t have waiting periods, annual maximums, and exclusions for pre-existing dental issues. This means you can use it immediately without having to worry about potential issues or dental problems.

What Do Dental Savings Plans Cover?

Dental savings plans cover preventative and restorative dental work. They also cover specialist care provided by endodontists, orthodontists, and prosthodontists.

Many cosmetic dentistry procedures and prescription drugs are covered as well. Sometimes, an additional fee is charged for prescription coverage.

Common dental treatments that discount programs cover include:

• Routine check-ups
• Oral examinations and cleanings 
• X-rays
• Pediatric dentistry
• Cavity fillings
• Dental crowns
• Dental bridges
• Tooth extractions
• Braces
• Root canal treatment (endodontic therapy)
• Dental implants
• Veneers
• Dentures
• Gum grafts
• Bone grafts

How Much Can You Save With a Dental Discount Plan?

• Preventive Care ⁠— Cleanings and X-rays might cost $50–$100 with a plan instead of $130 to $300.
• Restorative Work ⁠— A filling could be $80 to $120 compared to $200 or more. Crowns might run around $600 instead of $1,000.
• Major Procedures ⁠— Expect potential discounts of 20 to 50% on root canals, implants, or bridges.

How Are Dental Discount Plans Different from Dental Insurance?

Both dental discount plans and dental insurance require you to obtain treatment from a qualified doctor within their network. They both provide discounted care for all members and require renewal annually or monthly. 

However, you may have to pay a copayment or pay the full price upfront for insurance before getting a reimbursement from your insurance provider. With a discount plan, you’ll pay a flat rate directly to your doctor.

Other differences include:

• Procedures covered — Insurance plans cover significantly fewer types of treatments. They usually will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, but discount programs will. 
• Annual limits — Most insurance providers have annual coverage caps. This means they stop covering treatments after you spend a certain amount of money (between $1,000 and $2,000). Discount programs have no annual limits.
• Coverage cost — The average dental insurance premium is approximately $200 to $600 per year. Discount dental program membership fees average $100 to $150 annually.
• Paperwork — Unlike with insurance, you won’t need to file claims or paperwork with a dental discount plan. 

Can You Use Dental Discount Plans and Dental Insurance Together?

Many traditional dental insurance plans won’t cover more than $2,000 per year. For expensive procedures, like root canals, this can be used up quickly.

Dental discount plans can act as a supplemental savings plan when your dental insurance runs out. They can also provide coverage for people with Medicare or people whose medical plans cap their coverage.

Additionally, dental discount plans can help reduce the cost of procedures that your insurance considers elective or cosmetic. Find the perfect discount plan for individuals or families at DentalPlans.com.

Pros and Cons of Dental Discount Plans

The best part of a dental discount plan is that it doesn’t have claims, paperwork, waiting periods, or annual benefit caps. It’s also a good choice for reducing the cost of elective or cosmetic treatments.

However, it does have a few cons:

• Smaller dentist networks
• No coverage for out-of-network care
• The benefits hinge on how often you need dental work

How to Choose a Dental Discount Plan

Before you sign that dotted line or click the “enroll now” button, take a moment to scrutinize the details. Here are the areas where people most commonly face unwelcome surprises:

• Read the fine print — Read through your discount plan coverage, policies, and exclusions before agreeing to anything.
• Hidden fees — Some plans may not apply the lab fee of a procedure or offer a small discount. Additionally, your plan may raise its membership fees.
• Dentist network — Take a look at their network size. You don’t want to enroll in a plan that doesn’t have an in-network dentist in your area.
• Reviews — Look up online reviews or check state board records to ensure the dentist meets your standards.
• Licensing — Plans should be licensed or registered in your state. This ensures they follow consumer protection laws.
• Transparency — Choose a plan that's upfront about its services and discount rate. Reputable plans clearly state they’re not insurance and detail how they comply with relevant consumer protection guidelines.
• Cancellation Terms ⁠— Some plans penalize early cancellation heavily. Look for month-to-month or easy-out options if you’re unsure.
• Cost vs. Potential Savings ⁠— If the annual fee is $150 and you only use cleanings once a year, you might save, but not significantly. If you need multiple procedures, you could save hundreds.
• Insurance Coordination ⁠— Some discount plans allow you to combine their discounts with your insurance for uncovered services, while others prohibit it. Check the rules carefully.