Dental Insurance vs. Dental Discount Plans

Dental insurance and dental discount plans (sometimes called “dental savings plans”) can both be useful in reducing dental expenses. However, the benefits you receive and what your costs will be vary significantly. Below we explain the differences between both plan types. 

To shop and compare dental and vision plans available in your area, please go to our Dental & Vision Plan Finder.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance works a lot like health insurance. Just like health insurance, you pay a monthly premium and the cost of services are shared by you and your plan. Many dental insurance plans have deductibles while some dental insurance plans (like dental HMO’s for example) do not. Dental insurance deductibles typically range from about $25 to $100. Once your deductible is met (assuming your plan has one) the plan will pay the dentist directly for its portion of qualified dental expenses and you will pay either a set copay or a percentage of the remaining balance (the percentage you pay is also called a “co-insurance”). However, unlike health insurance, most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum benefit amount (also called a “Plan Maximum”) generally between $1,000 to $3,000. The plan maximum is the most a plan will pay in a calendar year. 

Waiting Periods

A waiting period is a length of time that begins when you first sign up for a plan that you must wait before certain services are covered. Many dental insurance plans have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months depending on the type of service. For example, basic services like fillings, space maintainers and recementation of crowns may have a 6 month waiting period. Major services such as extractions, crowns and bridges might have up to a 12 month waiting period. Preventive services like teeth cleanings and x-rays generally do not have waiting periods and are covered immediately on most plans. To find out if a plan has a waiting period, click “View Details” below the plan’s name in the Dental & Vision Plan Finder.

Increasing Benefits

Many dental insurance plans will also have increasing benefits from year to year. For example, preventive services such as teeth cleanings and x-rays may be covered at 60% for the first year, 80% the second year, and 100% the third year and after. Basic procedures (like fillings) may not be covered for the first six months due to a waiting period, then be covered at 50% for the next 6 months, 65% starting on year two, and 80% the third year and after. Please read the plan benefit details before you purchase a plan so that you know what to expect. To view plan benefit details, click “View Details” below the plan’s name in the Dental & Vision Plan Finder.

Dental Discount Plans

Unlike traditional dental insurance, dental discount plans do not pay for services. Instead, these plans offer discounts off of dental expenses from participating dentists. Discounts usually range from 10% - 60%. You pay a membership fee (instead of a monthly premium) to have access to discounted dental services. Membership fees for dental discount plans tend to be lower than traditional dental insurance premiums. Discount plans have no deductibles, no waiting periods and no plan maximums – which means the coverage starts immediately and there is no cap to benefits. One thing worth noting is that dental discount plans tend to have smaller provider networks than traditional dental insurance. If you are considering a dental discount plan, be sure to check the provider directory so that you know which dentists in your area will accept the plan. To check a plan’s provider directory, click “Find Provider” below a plan’s name in the Dental & Vision Plan Finder.

Can I be enrolled in both a dental insurance plan and a dental discount plan?

Yes. Because many traditional dental insurance plans have waiting periods, if you have pressing dental issues that need to be addressed immediately, you could also enroll in a dental discount plan in the interim. Dental discount plans do not have waiting periods and therefore can help bridge the gap while you are still in a waiting period of a dental insurance plan. You can find dental discount plans that are available in your area in the Dental & Vision Plan Finder.