What’s the Difference Between a Dental Insurance Plan and a Dental Discount Plan?

It’s important to see your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups to maintain excellent oral health. However, many people put off these visits because they are worried about the cost. The good news is that there are options available to make essential dental care more affordable. Two of the most common options are dental insurance plans and dental discount plans, but what is the difference? Read on to learn about each one so you can determine which is best for you.

How Does Dental Insurance Work?

Dental insurance works kind of like health insurance, but there are multiple differences. Either you or your employer pay for all of part of your qualified dental expenses up to a stated maximum. Each dental plan is a little bit different, but here are the main ones that there are to choose from.

• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO): This plan requires that the insured selects a primary care dentist from the plan’s provider network. If you see a dentist who is out of network, the services will not receive coverage. This type of plan doesn’t have a maximum, but they will have a set copay amount that the insured will play for each procedure.
• Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO): This allows the insured to select a dentist who is either in or out of network. You generally receive better rates from an in-network dentist. This allows you to have more freedom to choose any dentist that you’d like for treatment. DPPO plans usually have a deductible and an annual maximum. They cover a percentage of each dental service based on whether it is classified as preventive, basic, or major.

How Do Dental Discount Plans Work?

Dental discount plans don’t pay for any of the expenses. Instead, your dentist offers you discounted prices for treatment completed at their practice. With one of these membership plans, there are no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums. Every plan is a little bit different, but many of them include regular dental cleaning and checkups, oral cancer screenings, routine X-rays, an emergency exam, and discounts on needed restorative treatments.

Dental insurance and dental discount plans are both good options to help patients get the care they need at a reasonable cost. Getting essential dental healthcare shouldn’t mean stressing over finances.

About the Author

Dr. Jason Aptaker earned his dental doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Currently, he is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. To learn more about dental insurance, his dental membership plan, and your other financial options, visit his website or call (732) 223-9199.