How to Choose The Right Dental Insurance Plan

Lower your dentistry costs and keep your teeth and gums healthy with the right dental insurance plan.

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Most provincial health insurance plans in Canada don’t provide coverage for routine checkups and oral treatments, leading to high dentistry costs. As result, many people avoid the dentist, which can lead to serious consequences such as:

• Tooth and bone loss
• Stained, uneven or discolored teeth
• Periodontal disease
• Pain, discomfort and difficulty eating

Affordable Dentistry Services at Marlborough Dental Centre

At our dental clinic, we don’t want the cost of dentistry getting you down! Our team can help you achieve great oral health with affordable, expert and convenient dental care, from regular check-ups to teeth cleanings and extractions.

Want to know how we can help you?

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What You Need To Know Before Purchasing Dental Insurance

A dental insurance plan can provide the coverage you need to make visits to your dentist a part of your usual routine, helping you maintain a healthy and happy smile for a lifetime.

If you’re thinking of purchasing insurance to help lower the cost of dentistry, this list is a good starting point for the questions you need to think about:

1. Does the Plan Cover Preventative Care?

Annual or six-month checkups at the dentist are very important, but they can get costly because they typically include a:

• Teeth cleaning
• Visual inspection from the dentist
• X-rays

This means that you could be spending close upwards of $200 just on a preventative care visit! The good news? Most dental insurance plans cover 100% of the cost. However, there are some that cover around 60%.

REMEMBER: When purchasing your plan, make sure that all the preventative care services are included, as these visits are very important to ward off serious dental conditions and more costly future appointments.

 

2. Is There a Waiting Period?

Some carriers have a waiting period before you’re eligible for coverage under the plan, while others do not. This can apply to any dental treatment, but it’s especially important to ask about coverage options for major services including:

• Dentures
• Crowns
• Orthodontia

Generally, these major services are not eligible until the third year of coverage under your plan. That’s why it’s crucial to fully understand your dental insurance policy and find out if you have to wait before you can begin to receive the benefits.

 

3. Does It Cover Basic Restorative Care?

Most dental plans will cover 80% of the cost of fillings, extractions and re-cementing of previous crowns and bridges, meaning that you will pay the remaining 20%. This potentially means a huge savings on the cost of dentistry, as a $400 filling may only cost you $80!

KEEP IN MIND: Most dental plans will only cover amalgam (silver) fillings, not composite (tooth-colored) fillings. So if you want to avoid metal fillings, there may be additional costs.

 

Helpful Tips and Facts About Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is a great way to lower your cost of dentistry and make it easier for you to regularly visit your dentist. However, even full coverage insurance has its limitations. Here are several things you may want to consider before buying dental insurance:

Typical Covered Services and Maximums

• Dental insurance rarely pays the entire cost of a treatment. You may have to pay out-of-pocket expenses or a co-payment.
• In many cases, you’ll have yearly deductible that you’ll have to reach before the policy can cover anything.
• Preventative care such as cleanings, sealants, x-rays and general exams are typically covered from 80%-100%. Major dental work may only be covered at 50%.
• Most dental insurance plans have a yearly maximum ranging between $1000-$2500.
• Some treatments, such as cosmetic procedures and implants, may not be covered.

Tips to Maximize Your Dental Coverage

• Obtain coverage for your entire family. In the long run, you’ll save more money by covering everyone.
• Take advantage of free preventative coverage. Early detection of problems can prevent expensive treatments later.
• If you have children, make sure your policy covers orthodontic treatment.
• Be sure your dentist participates in the selection of your plan.

 

Call Today

To find out more about the cost of our dentistry services, direct billing options, and how our team can help you select the right dental insurance, contact our Calgary clinic at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.