What Are Discount Dental Plans?

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Discount dental plans are what the name suggests, that is they are plans by which a member to the plan can obtain dental services from a group of dentists at a discounted rate.

The idea behind discount dental plans is fairly simple. A group of dentists in an area form a discount dental plan club. In this club people can take membership by paying a monthly sum. The members of this discount dental plan will obtain dental services at a discounted rate.

It has advantage both for the customer and the dentist. A dentist by this method will get a steady income and more patients. If the patients are satisfied with the club they may recommend it to other patients. It is advantageous for the customers also as it leads to saving on dental costs. Dental costs for procedures like, root canal, tooth extraction, plaque removal, routine teeth examination etc have become exorbitant. By joining a discount dental plan with a very low monthly premium usually around seven dollars a month, the patient can obtain a dental treatment at a great discount from the market rate. Market studies indicate a saving of around 60% on discount dental plans.

There are issues that have to be considered, whether your area dentist is a member of the discount dental plan you want to join. Further are you willing to join a discount dental plan of which your area dentist is not a member. One more thing that needs to be ascertained is whether a dental provider of the discount dental plan is available within your area.

Discount dental plans are different from dental insurance plans, where in you claim the dental costs from the dental insurance company and pay a monthly premium. In discount dental plans you pay the bills at a discounted rate and pay a monthly membership fee.

How Come My Insurance Doesn t Pay For White Fillings On My Back Teeth?

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Welcome to the world of insurance double talk and small disclaimers.

“Yes, Mrs. Johnson, you have just bought one of the best comprehensive dental insurances on the market and we are here to serve you every step of the way.” Is what one insurance agent told my patient. Well, my patient was happy and even felt safe knowing she had just bought her “comprehensive” dental insurance. She never expected to hear from our office that her insurance does not cover a procedure which is one of the most common procedures out there next to exams and cleanings.

I am talking about the pretty white fillings every patient wants put in their mouth instead of the old, but still useful, silver fillings(amalgams). Yes, the ones, that no matter how you slice it, contain mercury. I would have to say that in the last three years not a single patient has come to me and told me they want the silver fillings instead of the white fillings. So, why do we have many insurances that refuse to pay for the white fillings and will only pay for the silver ones?

For the simple reason of MONEY. There is no other explanation. The insurance is only looking at their bottom line and trying to find ways to not pay for the treatment they had agreed to pay for when you bought that insurance. Some insurances will pay a downgraded price for a white filling, the price they would pay if the dentist had placed the silver filling, leaving the difference to be paid by the patient. But others go as far as not paying anything even though a cavity was taken care of, something that is considered basic in most insurance policy manuals.

They will hide behind the fact that a “silver” filling was not placed so no benefit will be paid even though the real truth is that a cavity was filled, and it should not matter to them what material the patient chose to use in their mouth. “It’s a company policy,” is all we are able to get when we talk to these insurance companies that don’t even pay a downgraded version of the filling. I guess they would rather lose that insurance client that is only paying $30 to $50 dollars extra a month for their dental coverage than to have to pay the several hundred dollars that is their responsibility to the dentist.

It is unfortunate that that when we, dentists and dental staff, break the news to the patient they immediately think we made a mistake (not to say that we don’t make mistakes, because we are human and we do.) We are the ones that have to bare the burden of ‘Awakening’ the patient.

So for all those that have dental insurance or are in process of buying dental coverage, ask your insurance company if they cover white fillings on back teeth or if they are ‘downgraded’ or not even paid at all. You’ll be able to know if you have found a decent dental insurance or not(at least for this aspect of it). Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for help with picking out a good insurance. Believe me, we would rather deal with a quality insurance carrier that with one that hides behind small disclaimers.

For other interesting dental information you may visit my website:  http://www.doctorgarza.com

And to search the web for other types of information check out: http://www.zalien.com

Autor: Leoncio Garza

Dr. Leoncio A. Garza is a general dentist in private practice in San Antonio, Texas. His office address is:
5101 San Pedro, Suite #102
San Antonio, Tx 78212.
Telephone: (210) 737-6900
Added: June 22, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Personal Dental Insurance Plans - What They Cover What They Cost

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Are you thinking of a dental plan for you or your family? Here’s an little bit about what a personal dental insurance plan covers and what it’s gonna cost you.

What does a dental plan cover?

A dental plan is a network of dentists who will give you discounts on almost every dental procedure you’re likely to need. Fillings, cleanings, exams, x-rays, extractions, dentures, bridges, crowns, periodontal, braces, and cosmetic dentistry can all be covered in an affordable dental insurance plan. Just show your membership card at time of service to get your discount.

Dental insurance plans are designed to help you and your family maintain their oral health and reduce your dental care cost. It’s possible to save a large amount of money on dental bills depending on your dental needs.

What does a dental plan cost?

Dental plan premiums are very affordable, with some plans starting at only $79.00 per year for an individual plan. There are plans for groups and families starting at only $99.00 per year. You can sign up for a discount dental plan today and start using it within two days. There are no paperwork hassles and no waiting period as with many other dental insurance policies.

Affordable Personal Dental Insurance Plans

One of the best ways to find an affordable personal dental plan is to go to a free dental insurance plan website. There you can get competitive prices for dental plans in your area. With plans starting at only $79.00 per year, you could easily recoup your investment in only one or two visits to the dentist. And you’ll you’ll be keeping your smile for life.

Affordable Dental Insurance Plan Quotes - Where to Get Them

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Affordable dental insurance plans are easy to find on the Internet. All you have to do is go to the right dental plan website to find plans as low as $79.00 per year.

Dental Insurance Plans

A group, individual, or family dental plan provides you with dental care at discounts of 20% - 30% even up to 60% on dental care needs from dentists in the plan or network. As a member of a dental insurance plan you are able to choose any participating dentist in the network or plan.

Dental plans are a different form of dental insurance which is quite a bit cheaper than conventional dental insurance. Unlike conventional dental insurance, dental plans have no waiting periods, no health restrictions, no paperwork hassles, and no limits to the amount of visits to your dentist.

Dental plans cover almost every procedure you’re likely to need. Fillings, cleanings, exams, x-rays, extractions, dentures, bridges and cosmetic dentistry can all be covered in an affordable dental plan. Dental insurance plans are designed to help you and your family maintain their oral health and reduce your dental care cost.

Affordable Dental Insurance Plans

One of the best ways to find an affordable group, family or individual dental plan is to go to a free dental insurance plan website. There you can get competitive prices for dental plans in your area. Some plans start at only $79.00 per year. You could recoup your investment in only one visit to the dentist. And you’ll keep your smile for life.

Affordable Florida Group Dental Insurance Plans - Where to Find Them

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Affordable Florida Group Dental Insurance Plans - Where to Find Them

As the cost of dental care continues to rise, so does the risk to you and your families dental health. Everybody deserves to have a good smile. -) So how can you protect your group or families smile without going broke? Here’s how: Read the rest of this entry »

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