Denise Lee Porter

There are many people out there who have little or no dental coverage. Most think their only option is insurance that is very costly, but there is another option, supplemental dental plans. First, I will explain what a supplemental dental plan is.

It is not insurance. It is a discount dental plan. You pay a monthly fee, usually starting at around $15 a month and going up, depending on the company or coverage you need. You will then get a discount when you go to get dental treatment. The amount of discount varies depending on the service and the company.

You can use these types of plans along with your insurance. You get a discount on the amount left over after what your insurance covers. For instance, if your child needs braces and you use your insurance, which leaves you with a $1500 bill, then you would use your supplemental dental plan to get a discount, usually between 40% and 80%, on that remaining $1500.

There are many advantages to supplemental dental plans. You see immediate savings with low monthly fees. Many companies also cover cosmetic dentistry, such as adult braces or teeth whitening. We all know how costly dental treatment can be, even with insurance. There is usually a set amount that insurance will cover.

In such hard times, many of us can’t afford the deductible or co-pay involved. But if we could get a discount on them, we’d be more able to pay them. There are usually hundreds to thousands of providers, especially in bigger cities, that are now accepting this kind of coverage. There are also no claim forms to fill out, no waiting lists, and these types of plans do not reject anyone because of their age or health.

There are many companies out there that offer this kind of coverage. They offer anything from the supplemental dental plan to medical and eye coverage. You can usually get individual or family packages, as well. I have found that some companies offer more savings and more providers then others. But the important thing is to do your research. Search for discount dental plans or supplemental dental plans.

Review the companies and check their credentials. Check the better business bureau to see if they are a member or if they have had numerous complaints. Talk with representatives, as well. Be sure to get all the information you can about the companies.

How much you will save, how many providers are in your area, what the monthly cost is, and what procedures they cover are all important questions to ask. Just be sure to have all the information before joining with a company so that you know exactly what you’re getting and feel comfortable spending the money on it.

To sum it up, supplemental dental coverage can help many of us out there when insurance just doesn’t cover enough. While it is not insurance, it can save people hundreds to thousands of dollars. The monthly fees are usually very affordable and you can actually see the amount of money you will save. But you must do your research and be well informed. If you find the right company, you will be very happy and satisfied with the results.