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Dental insurance is one of those things we all know we should have, but that many of us neglect. You may feel that you’re overall healthy and that you brush and floss regularly enough that you can get by without it. You may balk at the additional cost of a service you don’t feel you use regularly. Or you may just be putting it off, one of those things you’ll get to next week maybe.
The fact is that you need dental insurance, for all sorts of reasons. Understanding what those are and learning about the importance of dental insurance may be just the thing to get you started so let’s learn more about the importance of dental insurance and what it does for you.
Dental Insurance Means Dental Health For A Lifetime
Building and maintaining oral health is a lifelong affair. Good oral health practices start in childhood and continue for the rest of our lives, albeit changing as our needs change with age. Dental insurance gives you affordable access to the support you need to do that. Neglecting basic care can quickly lead to long term problems, and most dental plans cover the basics including:
- Exams
- Cleanings
- Fluoride Treatments
- X-rays
- Sealants
These are made more affordable due to the way dental insurance plans typically handle costs. Most dental insurance plans follow the ‘100-80-50’ billing model for handling patient billing and co-payment. Generally speaking, under this model preventative care and cleaning services are covered at 100 percent after you’ve met the deductible, fillings and similar non-routine care services are covered at 80 percent, and any major work like bridges and crowns are covered at 50 percent. This work is designed to encourage the patient to get the primary and preventative care they need in order to help avoid the need for more serious work like fillings, prosthetics, or dentures. The above bullet points are examples of basics typically covered at 100% after the deductible–and again, they are the routine procedures you’ll need to keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy. And with the average dental policy costing less than $400 annually, it’s a wise investment.
