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It’s nice to know that there are many ways to afford dental treatment. However, some of them might have you scratching your head. A dental wellness plan sounds an awful lot like dental insurance. But dentists wouldn’t offer these plans and accept dental insurance if they were exactly the same, right? How are they different, if at all?
Keep reading for the details. A quick comparison will tell you everything you need to know.
What is a Dental Wellness Plan?
First, know that dental wellness plans can also be called dental savings plans or dental discount plans. They all fit under the same category of financing and fulfill the same purpose. Some dentists simply prefer one name over the other, depending on which one they think describes their plan best. Every office does it a bit differently, but in general the main characteristics you’re looking for are:
- The plan is provided directly by your dentist
- A one-time fee covers the full year
- The plan uses a discount system
With a dental wellness plan, you’re still responsible for payments, but service costs are reduced or eliminated.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance works a lot like medical insurance. Most insurers have multiple different dental plans to choose from, but here’s what you should keep in mind:
- You or your employer pay a monthly premium to a third-party provider
- The provider covers all or a portion of the costs for your dental treatments
- In cases of partial coverage, you’re responsible for paying what’s left of the fee
As you can see, dental insurance also aims to reduce or eliminate service costs. You’re simply taking an extra step and paying one extra entity to get those lower rates.
What’s Better? A Dental Wellness Plan or Dental Insurance?
That really depends. Generally speaking, dental wellness plans are a great alternative for uninsured patients, especially if they’re expecting to visit their dentist frequently. Dental insurance works for you best when offered through your employer as a benefit, or if your oral health is reliable. You could try to compare the value of the two by looking at these factors:
- Total cost. Take your dental insurance’s monthly premium and add it up to see what it actually costs you for the whole year. Is the total more or less than the annual rate of your dentist’s wellness plan?
- Coverage. Which services does each option cover and partially cover? A more expensive plan could be worth it if it covers services you use frequently or significantly reduces your out-of-pocket costs.
- Limits. It’s normal for financing options to come with some fine print. Both options typically cover only two checkups and cleanings per year, and dental insurance typically halts coverage for the year if you exceed a maximum annual amount. Pay special attention to that amount, as costly or frequent treatments could quickly exceed your allowance.
Alternatively, you could talk to your dental team. That’s right, your dental team helps you with all things dental, including savings plans and insurance. They’ll break down the specifics so you can pay for your dental treatments comfortably and confidently!
About the Practice
Our team at Advanced Dental Concepts believes in providing personalized care – which extends to your finances! We’re proud to accept Delta Dental insurance and offer CareCredit financing as well as our Advanced Dental Wellness Plan. Pay with the option that best fits your unique needs, or call 219-322-3418 if you have questions. We’ll be happy to help you count the cost!