Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never had dental insurance. They never offered enough to be cost effective.

I used to think that for many years, but I've found it really worth it. We pay $20/mo for a family of four, and all cleanings are free, major price reduction on fillings, my ds's wisdom teeth removal was under 1k which honestly was so worth it in itself. I can say I take much better care of my teeth since having it and would recommend it.

Your employer must be subsidizing. I’m a fed and it’s $41 a pay period or $88 a month. Not expensive but not cheap and it doesn’t cover much.

We were fed and had dental insurance and it paid all routine care almost completely in network and most of the fillings we had done. What doesnt it cover that you think it should?

We still pay a lot yearly with fillings, replacing sealant, fluoride treatments, etc. It covers like 75% of filings, nothing on fluoride. Nothing on night guards.

Anonymous wrote:Even if OON the cleanings are usually covered in full. It's the other stuff they pay less on.

This. If you are OON, my insurance pays for all cleanings but only 50% of major things (crowns, root canals, etc.). If in-network, that is more like 70 percent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never had dental insurance. They never offered enough to be cost effective.

I used to think that for many years, but I've found it really worth it. We pay $20/mo for a family of four, and all cleanings are free, major price reduction on fillings, my ds's wisdom teeth removal was under 1k which honestly was so worth it in itself. I can say I take much better care of my teeth since having it and would recommend it.

Thanks Chat GPT.

Cash pay is 400 (kid age 8+250 (kid age 1.5 reduced a bit because of kid 1) +375 (adult) +375 (adult) for the four of us. 2 cleanings per year with exams etc. Dental insurance is 1575 for premiums plus deductible. We save about 175 give or take an extra xray at cash price. My husband doesnt regularly go- which I hate- but if he doesnt then we save 500 that year because he didnt go. Orthodontics arent covered with our dental. My 1st hasn't had a cavity so no fillings. My husband never had cavities as a kid. My second is TBD.

Even if OON the cleanings are usually covered in full. It's the other stuff they pay less on.

Ask for a self-pay discount. Both my dentist and doctor offer them, but you need to ask.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the benefits at least equal what we pay in premiums each year, when accounting for cleanings, x rays and occasional fillings or other work. My insurance even paid up to $2000 for orthodontics.

+1 We have always come even with premiums versus cleanings, too. We got $3000 in orthodontics, too. But, the big savings that the dentist can’t just charge any astronomical amount. They must stay bound by the contract amount. This helps the patient with insurance immensely. The person without dental insurance is charged at higher rates on everything.

Anonymous wrote:... seems the new trend. What does this mean to patients? How much more do you pay generally?

The first time this happened to us, we switched dentists. Then it happened to the second dentist, too, so we gave up. They'll file the claim for us. Out of pocket - maybe $130 per visit? The pediatric dentist is always wanting to seal teeth. etc. so ymmv.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never had dental insurance. They never offered enough to be cost effective.

I used to think that for many years, but I've found it really worth it. We pay $20/mo for a family of four, and all cleanings are free, major price reduction on fillings, my ds's wisdom teeth removal was under 1k which honestly was so worth it in itself. I can say I take much better care of my teeth since having it and would recommend it.

Your employer must be subsidizing. I’m a fed and it’s $41 a pay period or $88 a month. Not expensive but not cheap and it doesn’t cover much.

We were fed and had dental insurance and it paid all routine care almost completely in network and most of the fillings we had done. What doesnt it cover that you think it should?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never had dental insurance. They never offered enough to be cost effective.

I used to think that for many years, but I've found it really worth it. We pay $20/mo for a family of four, and all cleanings are free, major price reduction on fillings, my ds's wisdom teeth removal was under 1k which honestly was so worth it in itself. I can say I take much better care of my teeth since having it and would recommend it.

Your employer must be subsidizing. I’m a fed and it’s $41 a pay period or $88 a month. Not expensive but not cheap and it doesn’t cover much.

Anonymous wrote:I didn't want to change dentists to get one where cleaning was $20.

They don’t make money off cleanings. They make money off people who don’t ever get their regular cleanings.

I feel like the benefits at least equal what we pay in premiums each year, when accounting for cleanings, x rays and occasional fillings or other work. My insurance even paid up to $2000 for orthodontics.