Dental Insurance, Is It Worth It? Should I Buy It On My Own?
To fully understand the answer to this question, we will have to unpack a few different things.
There’s a lot to cover to understand the whole, truthful, big picture here. If you hang with us, though, you’ll understand so much more and be confident enough to make the best decision for yourself and your family.
Here it goes!
The first piece to understand…
It is better to go to an honest dentist with NO dental insurance…
Than go to a dishonest dentist WITH dental insurance.
The most important thing you should do is take the time to find an honest dentist FIRST before you worry about the need for dental insurance.
Let’s explain more:
The dental insurance world is an EXTREMELY complicated world to navigate. Each company offers many different plans to choose from, and the terms of each plan are constantly changing and evolving.
The two most common plans to choose from are HMO and PPO. There are also DPO, DHMO, and Indemnity plans, but these seem to be far less common these days. We’ll focus mostly on the HMO and PPO plans here.
Most of the dental insurance plans that you would choose to purchase on your own because the monthly premium is lower, are the HMO plans. HMO plans make you select a dentist from their “list.”
PPO plans, however, allow you to choose from their “in-network” provider list, OR they ALSO allow you to decide to go to an “out-of-network” dentist of your choice. Many “out-of-network” offices still accept your dental insurance.
“In-network” PPO and HMO dentists choose to partner with the insurance companies because it helps drive more patients to their practice. HMO offices can collect monthly insurance payments from the insurance companies simply for holding you as their patient.
Dentists who DON’T choose to be “in-network,” usually have a steady flow of patients through trust and word of mouth. They don’t need to mess with the network process.
These offices still accept your dental insurance, but they often choose to accept only PPO plans, not HMO plans. PPO plans are less restrictive and allow the dentist to recommend the best treatments for their patients, regardless of what the insurance company prefers to pay for.
Please know…YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE!
Finding an honest dentist is much more critical than picking from “the list” that your insurance company gives you to choose from.
Which office sounds like the office you’d like to go to??
The answer should be pretty clear. It’s best if you can CHOOSE, for YOURSELF, what dentist to go to.
Ideally, you want to find an honest dentist who is “out-of-network,” or an honest dentist who accepts PPO insurance and is “in-network.”
Some dentists need to build their patient base up early on in their careers or decide on a case-by-case basis whether it’s worth being “in-network” with specific insurance companies. So, “in-network” is good too, but a good insurance plan allows you to go “out-of-network” as well. YOU have to hold the control of where you go or you will lose control of your mouth.
When you are forced to choose from an insurance company’s “list” of dentists, you are DESTINED to find the lying snakes who will make up cavities and take your money. That is the simplest way to put it.
This is not to say that there aren’t HMO dentists out there who still have a heart for their people. It’s just becoming harder and harder to find.
If you must go with HMO insurance, try to stick with the smaller, more personal offices and seek out second opinions if something just doesn’t seem right.
Follow our protocol for finding an honest dentist. See if you can find one that feels trustworthy. Even if you have to pay for another exam fee, seek second opinions at another office or two, until you find someone you trust. In the end, you’ll save so much more money than what those extra exam fees cost you.
Current government issued dental insurance, through the healthcare system, typically provides an HMO dental plan.
Teachers, City workers, Firefighters, Police Officers, Healthcare workers, and other large employers can offer the PPO plans to their employees because they get a discounted rate when they are purchasing a larger number of plans.
When you try to purchase a PPO plan on your OWN, however, it becomes expensive.
You are usually better off saving your money, finding an honest dentist, paying cash, and flossing.
Before you worry about insurance, the most important thing to do, is do your research and find that honest dentist. (click our link to learn how to do that).
Tell me more about these snakes…
Sadly. . . I observed early on, and continue to see today, that 70%-80% of dentists are lying snakes. No, that isn’t a proven number. That’s just what it honestly feels like, given what we see and hear consistently from patients.
We’ve even heard firsthand of offices asking dental professionals, at their job interviews, whether they are “patient-based” or “production-based.” Ummmmm….this is health care. Our job is to CARE about the PEOPLE!!
“PATIENT-BASED” should be EVERYONE’S answer. How and why did we lose this!?? How is that even a question?
Greed. “Follow the money” is always the answer.
When I first started working years ago, what I saw “in the real world” almost drove me out of the dental field altogether. Thankfully, I found my place working for two honest dental offices and have been blessed there for two decades.
How about a few more stories to show you some example situations…
How about the 26-year-old girl who had never had a cavity before in her life? She was told by a dishonest office that she had 14 cavities to fill and needed a deep cleaning.
She showed us her long, very professionally drawn up treatment plan. Thankfully, she came to us for a second opinion. She had ZERO cavities in her mouth! ZERO!!!!
She also only needed a good, THOROUGH cleaning that took a little over an hour to complete. Yes, we ran a little late into our next appointment, but it was not a “deep cleaning” that she needed.
The dishonest office would have charged her over $200, 4 different times, at 4 different appointments. We charged her $94, once. She easily had her teeth cleaned thoroughly and completely.
The dishonest office also wanted to fill 14 perfectly good teeth!!! FOURTEEN! They would have numbed her mouth, drilled on her, and taken her money!!!! All for what?…..Profit.
-Now, How about the girl who moved to Texas!?
Before she left, we told her, “You don’t have any dental problems. No cavities, no gum disease. Don’t let any dentist tell you differently.” Well, guess what? The first dentist she found told her that she had 5 cavities! She didn't fill them. She flew back to California, came to double-check with us while she was here, and guess what….no cavities.
There are stories after stories just like this….So please, please, search for honesty in dentistry FIRST. Please, please, please.
We understand that some people don’t have the means to pay cash at an honest office.
Some people must use the government-provided HMO dental insurance. We are hopeful that you can still possibly find the means to get a second opinion from an honest office. This way, you can prevent having any unnecessary work done. Consultation exams aren’t usually too terribly expensive. Typically around $50.
We are hopeful that there may be honest dental offices out there who are willing to give second opinions to people who are truly in a hard place financially.
We are hopeful that some offices will find it in their hearts to give people honest second opinions, even knowing that the patient may need to have their dental work done elsewhere to utilize their insurance. Good deeds do not go un-noticed.
At least the patient can return to an office that takes their insurance, but demand that only “this and this” be done, avoiding any unnecessary treatment. Hopefully that office complies and does decent dentistry.
Maybe the honest offices will even gain a patient or two as the grateful second opinion patient spreads the word.
Finding an honest dentist is the best insurance that you can give yourself and your family. Everyone needs one in their life. It’s worth every bit of effort that it takes to find them.
Some more clarification on the difference between PPO and HMO plans:
Typically, when we’re given a variety of plans to choose from, the majority of people choose the cheapest monthly plan…which offers them the WORST type of dental insurance. This usually leads them to the dishonest offices.
The HMO plan, which pays the least amount towards your dental bill, is the cheapest.
Sadly, HMO plans have created a sick culture within the dental field where patients are chronically lied to in the name of “production” and profits. Patients are intimidated and forced into signing dental treatment plans before they can even get their teeth cleaned.
One of SODA’s core values is that “production plans” should have NO PART in a dental office.
Dentistry is health care, and dentists have a responsibility to treat their patients with honesty and care. They sign an oath when they receive their dental license. They can, and SHOULD, have serious consequences if found to be practicing otherwise.
A patient either has a dental problem, or they don’t. Employees should never be paid bonuses according to “monthly numbers,” “production,” or frankly, “drumming up dental problems.”
Many patients have a SERIOUS fear of the dentist, and still, some offices do dental work on them that is unnecessary….
We call that torture.
You should care about your mouth just as much as your pocketbook…
Your teeth need to last until you’re 100 years old
If you focus on the insurance, instead of the honesty, a mess can get created in your mouth. A dishonest dentist will just benefit MORE from that mess in the future.
This means, more fun and exciting dental visits for you! What a generous thing you’d be doing for your dentist !! It’s no biggie to be drilled on for fun, I am sure!? :)
Please, please, please, you should care about this. You do NOT want to be DRILLED on unless there is a true reason. Once a tooth gets a filling, it is never the same.
You don’t want your teeth to be ruined just so that your dentist can max out your insurance each year and make their profit. Even if you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket, once a tooth has a filling or a crown it is never the same. It can get a cavity more easily once it’s messed with and can also crack more easily.
So, please DON’T FOCUS ON THE MONEY ALONE. Do what is right, best, and honestly true for you and your family.
Okay, so that was the moral part of the puzzle…
There’s a bit more to this insurance answer though…
And then we’ll get to the MATH breakdown…
It’s important to understand that with dental insurance, you are NOT insuring for catastrophic events like you are with your health insurance (car accidents, cancer, etc.)….Your medical insurance is likely to cover your teeth if, God forbid, something should happen like that.
Medical insurance covers everything ABOVE and beyond what your MAX out of pocket is… You have a MAX out of pocket with your medical insurance.
BUT….With dental insurance, it is the OPPOSITE.
The dental INSURANCE company gets the max out of pocket perk per year, and YOU are the one who is responsible for the rest.
Dental insurance plans typically ONLY cover $1500-$3000 per year, $5000 MAX (and this is extremely rare).
Around our neck of the woods, a single crown averages $1000, a root canal averages $1500, an implant averages $4000 total for the implant placement and crown… In other words, you’d pretty much get just ONE of the teeth fixed that you would break in a car accident, using your dental insurance.
While we’re on this topic, THIS is what is CRUCIAL to understand…
The average dental patient, who is going to an honest dentist, does NOT have extensive dental problems happen to them EVERY single year.
Sadly, you may believe that you do because you’ve been going to a dishonest dentist, or because you haven’t been regular with your cleanings and checkups.
It truly is very rare for regular visiting patients of ours, who do their brushing and flossing “homework” satisfactorily, to have large dental restorations done and max out their insurance every single year, on a regular basis.
Patients rarely, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, need massive amounts of dental work. If you see your honest dentist every 6 months, even 1x/year, as you should, you should not ALL of a SUDDEN get diagnosed, with “10 cavities, 3 root canals, 4 crowns, a deep cleaning with sub-gingival antibiotics, a bleaching regimen, and all new veneers across the front teeth,” purely out of nowhere!
If you have received a “treatment plan” that looks or sounds a bit like this, you should DEFINITELY seek out a second opinion immediately. Don’t sign your life away on that treatment plan until an honest dentist has confidently explained your problems to you and the opinions match across the board.
To tell you the truth, many people who have gone 10 years without seeing a dentist surprisingly aren’t usually in need of this amount of dental work even.
Typically, if a patient has gone 10 years without a toothache leading them to the dentist, it’s likely that they are resistant to decay. These patients will have more of a PERIODONTAL and dental cleaning treatment plan in their future, rather than a long list of fillings and crowns.
BUT, that’s a general rule. It’s impossible to diagnose you from cyberspace, of course. The key is to find that honest dentist who will tell you the truth about what has happened to your mouth during that absence.
Disaster can happen. Of course it can.
Sometimes a BIG underlying cause can come about in your life.
If you start taking a new medication(s) that causes severe dry mouth.
If you somehow decide to stop brushing your teeth and switch your diet to candy.
If you have undergone radiation treatments to your head or neck, damaging your salivary glands.
If you’ve gone down the path of using recreational drugs.
Things can happen.
Your honest dentist will help you get through these things and will suggest that you use extra fluoride, xylitol, and more.
Without situations like this, though, the average person should make it through dental life just fine…brushing twice a day (for two minutes), flossing one time a day, and rinsing with mouthwash after.
Also, go easy on your teeth. Avoid chewing ice, corn nuts, and other hard things. People who aren’t prone to cavities are still prone to cracking their teeth.
THAT is your best dental insurance my friends!!!!
GOOD ORAL hygiene and an honest dentist.
But what if I DO have horrible teeth?
So we know you’re still thinking. . . but what if a sudden change DOES happen?! “I’m not an average, normal person!?” I like the peace of mind that dental insurance gives me.
Let’s think this through some more…
There is a waiting period to use your dental insurance
Most insurance companies won’t let you purchase the insurance and then let you go have dental work done the very next week.
There is usually a 6 month-1 year waiting period before they will pay for any of your dental work. They want to collect your monthly premiums before they give you any money back.
So, you pay them monthly for a year before you can use the insurance. what if you saved that monthly money in a ‘dental account” instead? You’d have to figure out the math there.
Check to see if the plan you’re looking at has a waiting period.
There is a maximum yearly payout
After the 1 year grace period (paying monthly premiums) has passed, the insurance company still has that MAXIMUM amount they will pay out each year on your dental bill. This maximum amount is $1500-$2000-$3000-$5000 tops! ($5000 is rare)
So here you are, giving your premium $$ away every month, never to be seen again, to a dental insurance company that pockets it, and then puts a very LOW CAP on the amount of $$ they will give you each year on your dental bill anyways!? Hmmmm….
Let’s keep talking….
They only pay a certain percentage per procedure as well…
Next….they don’t even pay 100% of each procedure as you are reaching that yearly maximum of $1500-$5000!
Insurance companies have a “fee schedule” where they dictate an “allowable fee” for each dental procedure to the dentists. This helps keep price gouging under control, but so would natural price competition between honest offices.
These fees that the insurance companies allow, still do not usually coincide with the going fees that dentists in a given area regularly charge. They’re merely meant to keep insurance payouts down.
Once a treatment is completed it is billed out to the insurance company. The dentists are then paid accordingly (allowable fee schedule + percentage paid by insurance, per procedure).
“In-network” dentists are then required by the insurance companies to WRITE OFF the difference left after the insurance payment is received. The patients are not liable for the difference. The dentist is not paid any further money for the procedures performed.
Out of network dentists aren’t required to write off the difference and can choose to have the patients pay the difference. We’ll explain more about this below. It’s intriguing and enlightening to see how the insurance companies choose to pay “in-network” vs “out-of-network” dentists.
Writing off the difference sounds like a great thing for the patients when you first think about it. This is EXACTLY where things get sticky, though.
****Insurance companies pay LESS to the “in-network” dentists than they do to the “out of network dentists.”
We have seen this first hand, with the SAME patient, SAME insurance company. This patient moved to an “in-network dentist” from an “out-of-network dentist.” The “in-network” dentist received $50 for a dental cleaning, while the '“out-of-network” dentist received the full $94 fee. This wasn’t an isolated case. We continued to see it over and over again. It’s what they do.
Remember, the “in-network” dentist had to write off the rest. After paying their dental hygienist and cost of supplies etc., no profit is made. The “in-network” dentists are limited on profits. THIS is exactly where dishonesty begins to creep in.
The insurance companies can do this because there is a '“trade.” The "in-network” dentists “trade” lower payments to potentially receive a flow of patients from that infamous insurance “list” that their name appears on.
Well, what a situation this creates.
The “in-network” dentists still get paid LESS by the insurance companies. They still have reduced profits no matter how many patients they have. So, they have to find more ways to make money.
The more cavities they FIND and fix, the more profit they make. With profits STILL being limited by the insurance companies, the “motivation” to FIND more cavities becomes stronger.
Some of these offices have even been known to tell patients “you have this much left on your insurance for the year, so we can do this and this and this.”
They almost make it sound to the patient like they are helping them out. BUT, they are most likely finding things to do that are NOT truly there.
Remember, the average patient does NOT have a ton of work to do every single year.
Some patients don’t even get cavities at all and only have cleanings and x-rays done their entire lives. You do NOT want fillings where fillings are not due.
“Out-of-network” dentists aren’t limited in this way, though. They can make their profits purely based on their normal fees. Their fees are still regulated by their area’s normal going rate, so price gouging doesn’t occur. These offices are therefore more free to make a decent, honest living. They can tell the truth.
Being free keeps people honest.
That’s why it’s important to seek out your honest dentist. They exist. Good people exist. You should seek out honesty in every area of your life.
Yes, it’s possible that you may pay the difference in price at these honest offices, but you’ll end up with fewer dental appointments, fewer crowns and fillings, and fewer…..shots! Fewer means CHEAPER in the end. The dishonest offices will always find ways to take your money.
You’ll save your teeth.
The dishonest offices scare people into out-of-pocket cash procedures as well…Above and beyond what the insurance will pay for. It happens. It’s so, so sad.
When you have an honest dentist, many people make it through life with NO fillings or crowns because they never get lied to. That’s how you should be treated.
What do you need insurance for if you don’t get cavities? Your $94 cleaning and $65 x-rays (give or take)? A filling every few years or so? Something to think about, right?
More first-hand observations
Like we just said, we’ve had the unique opportunity to see first-hand, the differences in how insurance companies pay the “in-network” dentists vs “out-of-network” dentists.
Here are two more REAL LIFE examples for you:
-Another patient, with their particular insurance this time.
At their “out-of-network” dentist, the insurance company paid for 100% of their cleaning and 100% of their x-rays.
Same patient switched to an “in-network-dentist”….That SAME insurance company paid only $50 of the $94 cleaning fee again, and $35 of the $65 x-ray fee.
-Yet another patient, with their insurance:
They had a crown done with their “out-of-network” dentist. The insurance company paid $550 of the $1000 crown fee.
Patient changed to an “in-network” dentist and needed another crown the following year. The SAME insurance company paid $250 of the crown fee, required the patient to pay $250 out of pocket, and then required that the dentist write off the rest of the $500 balance.
Do you see how this would promote dishonesty in these “in-network” offices? The “out-of-network” dentist gets paid MORE, even WITHOUT the patient paying ANYTHING. That dentist is able to make a better profit and remain honest.
…Then there’s the HMO plans…They pay even less.
The difference in insurance payments truly doesn’t make much sense…to anyone but the insurance company.
Insurance companies don’t pay for cosmetic procedures
There are also cases where people just WANT to make their teeth look better, using dental restorations. Most of the time, insurance companies won’t pay for this, though, because it’s considered for “cosmetic purposes.”
This includes bleaching.
Now, for those who like math, read on from here.
For those who don’t like math, skip down to “Do this instead.”
The average PPO dental insurance plan will pay for:
1. Most or all of the cost of your dental cleanings, 2 times per year (every 6 months) - average cost is around $100 for each cleaning
2. A FEW dental insurance companies will allow you to have 4 cleanings per year (every 3 months), but it is rare.
Additional cleanings are needed when people build tartar very quickly, have extensive gum disease, or have proven to be extremely prone to cavities.
3. Most companies will pay for your “checkup bitewing x-rays” one time a year (sometimes every six months, but this is not generally recommended).
The average cost for checkup x-rays is around $65 in our area of California.
SODA has found that most patients maintain just fine having x-rays taken every 12-18 months. Those who aren't prone to cavities sometimes slide to two years. Those who ARE prone to cavities should have them taken once per year.
4. PPO Insurance will pay for a full mouth set of x-rays every 3-5 years. - average cost around here is about $100.
…..BUT, these aren’t even the things you’re worried about, right??!!!!
What about the REST of it?. . . the BIG things. . . the CROWNS, the ROOT CANALS, the BRIDGES, the EXTRACTIONS, the IMPLANTS, the “putting you to sleep,” kinda stuff. . .
They’ll pay 50%-80% of that stuff, but ONLY UP TO that MAX payout per year. . . and it adds up quickly.
Insurance companies don’t always pay for general anesthesia either. (putting you to sleep during wisdom teeth removal etc).
WATCH how fast it can add up:
5. Say that you need a root canal and a crown on one single tooth:
At the time of this writing, the root canal would be around $1500, where we are, and a crown would be around $1000. (teeth need crowns after you have a root canal done, because the tooth is now dead. They will become brittle, like a dead tree branch, and eventually break if there isn’t a strong crown holding it together).
So with both the root canal and crown, you are looking at a price of around $2500 for one tooth.
Remember, your dental insurance won’t pay for ALL of that, though. Most insurance companies pay about 50% of it.
So, your out of pocket expense could still be $1250, and your dental insurance would pay the other $1250! Remember that this is IN ADDITION to paying them that premium every single month.
The insurance company is also paying for your x-rays and cleanings remember, and any additional fillings you’ve had. These all contribute to your max insurance payout per year.
Can you see how fast your maximum dental payout could be reached? Especially when a lot of plans only pay around $3000 per year?
Can you also see that you’re still paying part of that bill too?
You’re paying part of the bill, PLUS monthly premiums, and risking going to a dishonest dentist if you don’t have a decent PPO insurance (which have HIGHER monthly premiums).
We’re sure this is starting to give you a confused feeling. We’ve given you a lot of information to unpack. So, let us bring you back to center again.
The rest of this article will narrow everything down for you again and lead you on the correct path to clarity.
To start, you’ll need to do some math, based on your dental history. How likely it is that each year you’ll have multiple dental issues happen?
Best advice we can give is to find an honest dentist first. They will help you with this.
The cost for x-rays, cleaning, and an exam out of pocket is about $200-$250. You can take your x-rays with you to as many offices as you need to from there until you find your honest office. Each additional second opinion office visit would run you around $60 or so. We say, get as many as it takes to find that honest dentist.
Maybe think about this instead….
What if you just saved those monthly premiums in an “emergency dental account instead”?
You’ll need to do some math and some personal dental history configuring here.
Add up your monthly premiums. Go over your past dental history with your honest dentist to determine if you’re truly prone to cavities and dental problems. Consider what your average “out-of-pocket expenses” have been, or might be, after insurance pays. Then weigh out the pros and cons. . .
What if you DID save those monthly premiums in a side account instead, for IF AND WHEN your dental problems may arise? (Of course, you’d have to be disciplined not to touch it). This would be similar to a “health savings account.”
In our experience, the average person needs a major dental restoration every 3-5 years or so, IF at all. Some have 1 or NONE in their lifetime! This stuff should not happen consistently, every single year, with average patients who take care of their teeth and go to an honest dentist.
Your best insurance is FLOSSING, brushing, mouthwash, and regular dental visits.
It would be smart to get a nightguard made if you clench and grind your teeth. This will protect them so that you don’t crack them.
Avoid dishonest offices, where year after year, dental work is done according to how much insurance money you have. They FIND things to do to you, in order to use up your insurance for the year.
Dishonest offices make up cavities and find cracks that aren’t really cracks. They give you shots in your mouth and drill your perfectly good teeth just to take the money. These offices will cost you more money, more time, and have you experience more of that “dental torture”…..JUST to make money.
It’s evil to the core! It’s flat-out wrong.
Please take the time to find honesty and then decide on dental insurance from there.
Weigh the pros and cons of whether you should purchase PPO insurance on your own. If your employer offers insurance, pick a good PPO policy, where you can choose your own dentist.
As we said, the average person who brushes their teeth well, twice a day, flosses here and there, eats decently, and uses some mouthwash, does not usually need extensive dental work done every single year.
Be sure to find the SODA we have spilled on how to care for your teeth properly. THAT will be your best insurance.
If you’re genetically not prone to cavities, chances are, you’ll only need to pay for cleanings and check-up x-rays for most of your life. You might have a filling to do here or there over the years, but it shouldn’t be ridiculous.
Patients who aren’t prone to cavities ARE more prone to cracked teeth, though, so crowns are possible, but not common year after year. DON’T CHEW ICE!
Do this if you think you ARE prone to cavities
1. Find that honest dentist, first and foremost
2. Get an exam from them, without insurance, and pay for the exam out of pocket. The average fee for x-rays, cleaning, and exam in our neck of the woods is $204.
3. Have them help you decide if insurance would be worthwhile
4. See what plans are available and do some math. Would it be better to pay for the insurance, or just save money in an account and pay out of pocket?
Much of the time, once your honest dentist helps you get the decay under control, you’ll have fewer and fewer cavities from then on. You’ll be able to worry less about the money part.
5. Use a fluoride mouthwash DAILY. Possibly, a prescription-grade fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
6. If you have dry mouth, which adds to the possibility of cavities, use products that contain xylitol and fluoride both.
Spry toothpaste, Xylimelts, ACT mouthwash, and ACT dry mouth lozenges are some of our favorite products for this.
The best insurance…
In all cases, YOUR BEST INSURANCE is to brush your teeth morning and night, for two GRUELING minutes of your 24 hour day.
Try to get some floss in there at least Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Yes, you are SUPPOSED to floss daily, because that disgusting rock of dead bugs (tartar) can fully form in your mouth again within 24 hours of removing it. BUT, we have become realists here.
NO matter how much we explain its importance to people, the everyday flossing gig RARELY becomes a habit. So, our standards have been lowered to meet our REALITY. ANY flossing is better than NO FLOSSING! Just do something! Pretty pretty PLEASE !!
If you know and admit that you will never stick your fingers or that string in your mouth, then you can definitely use the disposable floss picks or a water flosser. They too, are better than NOT flossing at all.
We can’t say it enough:
The average person does not need a root canal and crown every single year. Seriously!
The average person has two or three root canals in a lifetime! IF ANY!!! You truly shouldn’t be worrying about breaking the bank with your mouth. Fillings are a couple hundred bucks, and cleanings should be $150 or so, MAX.
Checkup x-rays are $100 tops. If you’re an average person who doesn’t have a cavity every year, you’ll just get cleanings and x-rays. That’s $300 a year out of pocket without insurance.
How much are your monthly premiums?
Do some math and see if saving those monthly premiums in a side account, saving that $ yourself, would be better than giving the $$ to an insurance company every month. The insurance company doesn’t even pay 100% anyways.
If your risk situation changes, revisit this math.
To help, we recommend reading the SODA we’ve spilled for you about your genetic predisposition. Each of us leans one way or the other. We’ll tell you the best maintenance routine for each type. It’s truly possible to be “average.” You just have to take control of your teeth.
We’ve also spilled SODA on everything you need to know about brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Your home care will always your best dental insurance.
If your Employer Offers Insurance
Consider yourself blessed. Consider yourself quadruple blessed if your employer covers your family too.
Hopefully, you have a few options to choose from, and can secure a good PPO plan. The employer doesn’t usually pay for the whole premium. So, pay attention to your monthly premium portion and compare alongside your dental history with your honest dentist.
Health savings accounts are great as well. They’re essentially a savings account for IF and when you need work done.
And there you have it! It was long, but hopefully worth your time!!!
Though it would be best if we did, we’ll never claim to know it all, all of the time. Nobody knows it all! We do claim honesty, though, and we sincerely want to help as many people as we can! Our patients have maintained beautifully, following our conservative recommendations :)
So, thanks so much for reading and letting us spill our SODA! Remember to take the time to find your HONEST DENTIST, and be sure to browse around our links and follow us on social media for answers to more of your exciting dental questions, like:
