What is a Dental Discount Plan?

Regular dental care is crucial for overall health, but seeing the dentist as often as you should may be financially challenging. Dental treatments can be expensive, and traditional dental insurance may not always offer the coverage and flexibility that everyone needs. Enter dental discount plans, also known as dental savings plans. These plans have gained popularity as an alternative to standard dental insurance. But what exactly are they, and how do they differ from traditional dental insurance? Let’s dive in.

What are dental discount plans?

A dental discount plan, often referred to as a dental savings plan, is not dental insurance. Instead, it is a membership-based program where plan members pay a low annual fee to access reduced rates from a nationwide network of 140,000+ dental professionals. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care – including treatments that dental insurance doesn’t typically cover such as dental implants, teeth whitening and overlays.

The dental savings plans available on DentalPlans.com start at $79 annually for an individual. Compare those prices to the typical cost of a basic individual dental insurance policy, purchased privately – $385* per year for an HMO plan ($32 a month premium), $600* for a PPO plan ($50 a month premium). And with dental insurance, you must pay the monthly premiums even if you have exceeded your annual maximum – that’s the amount your insurance company pays for. Annual maximums are typically $1,000-$1,500 depending on the insurance policy – to put that in perspective it’s about the cost of one root canal and crown.

Here’s another significant difference: plan members of dental discount plans pay their reduced rate directly to the dentist at the time of their dental visit. There’s never any need to file a claim. With dental insurance, you pay your part of the cost to the dentist after receiving treatment, and either you or your dentist files a claim and waits for reimbursement. If your claim is denied, you may need to pay for the full cost of care yourself. About 8% of dental insurance claims are denied in the U.S., yearly.

How do dental savings plans work?

It’s easy. You choose a plan, you go to a dentist that accepts that plan, show them your membership card, and pay your reduced rate to the dentist. The discounts you get are based on pre-negotiated rates that your dentist has agreed upon and is accustomed to offering. So, if you’re concerned that your dentist may not like the idea of giving you discounts – no need to worry!

You can choose a dental savings plan based on what plans your current dentist accepts or which plan provides the biggest savings on specific dental treatments you know you need.

As noted above, with your dental discount plan you can save on preventive care such as annual checkups and cleanings, as well as restorative care – crowns, root canals, braces, dental bridges, dentures, dental implants – even the cosmetic procedures that are not typically covered by dental insurance.

Some dental savings plans also offer savings on prescriptions, along with vision and hearing care as well as other health and wellness services. If specific services/treatments are important to you, check plan details to make sure they are included.

Dental savings plans vs. dental insurance: what’s the difference?

The advantages of dental savings plans extend beyond the discounts you get at your dentist, and include fast, easy access to dental care whenever you need it. Here’s some of the things you can expect as a plan member:

No waiting. Dental insurance policies often have waiting periods for specific treatments. This means that you might have to wait for months before you can use your insurance for a significant procedure. Dental savings plans, on the other hand, activate in 1-3 business days and can be used to save on any included procedure right away.

No annual limits. Many dental insurance policies have annual limits, which restrict the amount they pay out per year. Once you reach this limit, you’re responsible for all dental costs. Dental discount plans do not have such caps – you can use the discount as many times as you need.

Predictability. Dental savings plans offer a straightforward discount on services, making out-of-pocket costs more predictable. Insurance can sometimes involve complex claim processes and uncertainties about what is covered. Knowing exactly how much you’ll save and pay upfront can make dental visits less stressful. There are no claims to file with dental savings plans, and the payment process is straightforward.

Affordability. If you don’t get employer-provided insurance, dental insurance premiums can take a big bite out of your budget. And for anyone who finds insurance doesn’t cover their needs adequately, dental savings plans can be a more cost-effective solution.

Flexibility. No annual limits or restrictions on usage means you’re free to visit the dentist as often as necessary. You never have to delay treatments. Plus, you can switch your dental savings plan at any time, for any reason. If there’s a different plan that would save you more on an upcoming treatment, or you need to see a specialist who accepts a different plan, we’ll switch you on the spot.

Broad acceptance. Dental savings plans are accepted by 70% of dentists across the nation, ensuring that plan members have plenty of choices when it comes to selecting a dental professional.

What’s the best dental savings plan?

Dental discount plans / dental savings plans offer an alternative way to access dental care without the complexities and limitations of traditional insurance. While they may not be the right choice for everyone, they provide a valuable option for those looking for simplicity, affordability, and flexibility in their dental care. Before committing to a plan, it’s essential to review the details, understand the discounts offered, and evaluate if it meets your dental care needs and budget.

The easiest way to find the right plan for you is to use the search tools on DentalPlans.com, and / or talk to a DentalPlans.com customer support team member at 1-833-735-0399 for assistance in choosing the plan that’s right for you. We make it easy to find your perfect plan with personalized recommendations and 20+ years of experience in helping people access affordable, quality dental care.

Curious about how much you can save with a dental savings plan? Use the calculator below for a quick look.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.  

** Cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool.