Dental Insurance
There are many quality dental individual and group plans available from Guardian and other insurance companies. They can cover cleanings and fillings, and depending on the plan, also help ensure you don’t end up with a hefty bill when you need more extensive dental work. Here’s how different kinds of dental plans work.
There are two main kinds of dental plans: Dental PPO and Dental HMO
Dental PPO
Like a PPO health insurance plan, these dental plans typically have an extensive network of providers that lets you “shop around” and see out-of-network dentists. But when you stay in-network, you typically pay less and don’t need to submit claims.
Dental HMO
These dental plans tend to offer lower premiums, but there’s also less flexibility with a limited network of providers. Like HMO health care plans, members choose Primary Dentists and have to go through them for all their care, including specialist referrals. Many DHMO dental plans have no deductibles or maximums – and while there may be a flat-rate copayment for non-preventive treatments, your overall costs will likely be lower.
Four important reasons to get dental insurance
Preventive care helps keep you healthy
Most plans pay all or most of the charge for checkups and cleanings – so there’s no reason not to see your dentist for regular preventive dental services.
Early detection to catch potential problems
Regular visits to the dentist help keep teeth and gums in good health, so you can help catch and fix a minor issue before it turns into a bigger, more expensive (and painful) oral health problem.
Lowering your out-of-pocket expenses
A dental crown can cost $2,000 or more. A good full-coverage plan can lower that to under $700.*
In-network discounts
Insurance companies negotiate discounts with their network dentists.
We care about protecting more than your teeth
With good oral care, people are 67% less likely to have heart disease, 50% less likely to have osteoporosis, and 29% less likely to have diabetes8.
Why dental insurance can be a good investment for individuals, families, and businesses.
The majority of dental care is preventive. So, even a basic dental insurance plan that focuses on preventative care can be a good investment.
Oral health issues are among the most common — and preventable — health concerns impacting the American public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculates that 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one cavity by age 34, and more than 50% show signs of periodontal (gum) disease.1 And while everyone wants a nice smile, a growing body of research2 shows that maintaining good oral health can help adults avoid or better manage serious health-related issues:
- Diabetes
Periodontal infections contribute to problems with glycemic control, which compromises the health of diabetic patients. - Heart disease
The inflammation associated with periodontal disease has a high potential to contribute to coronary artery disease. Good oral health can help lower that risk. - Pregnancy
Studies have indicated that mothers with high levels of certain oral bacteria were found to have children with similarly high levels of bacteria, along with a higher risk of tooth decay. - Self-esteem
A smile is important. Research shows that healthy teeth and gums are important to a person’s self-esteem and how they feel about themselves.
