Dental insurance typically covers basic procedures, like extractions and fillings, as well as major procedures, like crowns and bridges. Cosmetic care is typically not included in dental plan coverage. Some plans will cover orthodontics.
Dental plans are considered more of a benefit, rather than traditional insurance, since plan holders will have to pay for work done beyond the out of pocket annual maximum. But like the
National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) reports, only around 5% of people reach their annual maximum for in-network services. If you’re like the vast majority of Americans, you can get all your dental needs covered with a low-cost dental plan.
Is dental insurance worth it?
In most cases, dental insurance is a major benefit for employees, individuals and families. At Arizona Health Insurance Brokers, we typically break down the benefits using this equation.
- Annualized cost for dental insurance:
On the higher end of the expense scale, this would be around $35/month x 12= $420/year; however, dental insurance can be as low as $15/month x 12 = $180/year, depending on a variety of factors
- Cost of 2 preventive checkups:
The
average dental cleaning and exam costs around $175 out of pocket. The cost per year for preventive care, then, would be around $350/year out of pocket.
- Other
dental work average costs out of pocket:
- X-rays: $146
- Tooth extraction: $200
- Dental crown: $1,288
- Dental filling: $147
As you can see, dental insurance costs make it manageable to pay for preventive care on a monthly plan. Plus, you’re covered for dental maintenance, like cavities.
Not to mention, prevention helps you avoid more time-consuming (and sometimes painful!) dental work. If you’re offered dental insurance through your employer, you may even be able to get part or all of your dental insurance covered for free.
Benefits of an Employer Dental Plan
If you’re an employer, offering dental insurance can be a major selling point for attracting talented candidates and retaining staff. According to the NADP, workers say dental coverage is the top benefit they want, following general
health insurance. Employers can set up dental plans at no cost, so doing so is an instant advantage. Since only 41% of employees working in private industries in the U.S. in 2023 had an
employer-sponsored dental plan, businesses can stand out by offering this valuable benefit.
Employers can offer dental plans to employees as voluntary benefits, which means the employee can choose a plan if they want, at no cost to the employer. Employers also have the option to contribute to employee dental plans, in which case the rates are typically a little better overall.
Another advantage for
health insurance for employees is dental coverage can be installed as a pre-tax benefit.
Employer dental plans are very customizable. Depending on the group size, employers may be able to offer more than one dental plan, such as one with orthodontics coverage and one without. That variety can also be attractive for employees.
Also, typically with
employer health insurance plans, there may not be waiting periods for major dental work. While an employer dental plan may be a bit more expensive for small groups, being able to get the dental work you need done right away makes it worth it for employees.
Considerations for Employer Dental Plans
For both employees and individuals who have a dental plan, it’s important to be aware that dental coverage carriers have a maximum liability. Carriers won’t pay beyond that maximum amount. Ultimately, this is one of the main reasons for the cost difference between medical and dental insurance.
However, since dental coverage has such a lower monthly cost, on average, compared to medical plans, they’re easier for employers to contribute to and for employees to manage.
If you do pay for dental
health insurance coverage for your employees and they don’t use it, you won’t be refunded for any unused coverage. Dental plan compensation can be a major benefit for employees who are looking for that from employers, but when people don’t use the benefit, it loses its value.
Employers should be aware there are a lot of different dental carriers and options. It can be overwhelming to navigate. It’s helpful to work with a
dental insurance broker, because you’ll know exactly what to look for in the best dental plan for your employees.
Benefits of an Individual / Family Dental Plan
If your
employer doesn’t offer insurance, you’re
aging out of your parents’ health insurance coverage, or you’re
self-employed and need insurance, you may be considering your own dental
private insurance plan. For individuals and families who are looking for dental plans on their own, it’s helpful to revisit the equations above.
With dental plan costs, you’ll be almost breaking even for going in for routine teeth cleanings and exams twice a year, which is recommended for optimal oral health. If you do have to have periodic work done, like a filling for a cavity, you’ll typically save money.
Dental insurance can give you peace of mind that most dental costs for you and your family will be covered. Preventive care that’s covered by a dental plan can also help you identify problems early, which could save you time and money in future treatment.
A dentist also helps educate you and your family about proper oral health, which can lead to improved overall health. Dentist visits are an important part of protecting your and your family’s well-being.
Considerations for an Individual / Family Dental Plan
When you get a dental plan, you’ll immediately have coverage for preventive dental teeth cleanings and exams. If major work needs to be done, there are generally waiting periods, depending on the plan you choose. If you need immediate dental care, for your health, you may want to get it now and pay out of pocket, depending on your dentist’s recommendations.
It's important to consider the waiting period now because, should major dental needs come up in the future, you won’t be able to get immediate coverage for care unless you’re already insured. By getting low-cost dental insurance now, you can have peace of mind that you won’t have to choose being waiting and paying higher costs for dental care you need.
For dental orthodontics for a child, there’s generally a maximum amount the plan will pay after the waiting period has been met. Group dental plan coverage is typically a better option if it’s possible to wait. If not, sometimes cash or a payment plan may be the better option.
Contact Arizona Health Insurance Brokers for Dental Insurance Info
Ultimately, whether or not you can benefit from dental insurance will depend on your unique needs as an individual, family or employer. The professionals at
Arizona Health Insurance Brokers are here to help, whether you need health insurance for yourself, or you want to
offer group health insurance to employees.
We’re experienced in providing
employer group insurance plans,
dental insurance for individuals and
dental plans for families.
Contact us to see what dental plan makes sense for you.
