Pros and Cons: Dental Insurance vs. Practice Dental Plans

95% of Americans regard oral health as essential to their well-being and overall health. Unfortunately, the cost and availability of dental care can be a deterrent for some. In the most challenging time when the economy is unstable, people seek ways to save money and still receive good quality dental care. There are a few options when it comes to paying for dental care. The dental insurance and practice dental membership plans are two of the most common options. However, which one is the best choice can depend on the individual's circumstances. Before we decide which route to take when it comes to dental care, we must weigh our options.

What is dental insurance?

Dental insurance is a type of health insurance that helps cover the cost of dental care. With dental insurance, you can get help paying for some types of dental care, like regular checkups, cleanings, and specific procedures.

According to Evelyn Ireland, executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans, a Dallas-based trade association whose members include managed care and other dental plan providers, 156 million Americans have dental coverage.

Patients with dental insurance may also get discounts on more expensive procedures, like braces and root canals. However, dental insurance may not cover all types of dental care. Depending on the plan, specific treatments may not be covered, or there may be a limit on the amount of coverage. You may need additional insurance or financial resources to cover any remaining costs.

What is a practice dental membership plan?

Dental practice plans are monthly or yearly dental care plans that are paid for in advance or split billed monthly. They let individuals and families get discounted dental care packages from a participating dentist. The best part about such plans is that they offer great savings compared to paying at time of service for dental procedures. Dental practitioners typically provide a wide range of services that are included in the plan, such as cleanings, x-rays, fillings, crowns, bridges, and even orthodontic work. Depending on the type of plan, patients may also be eligible for discounts on other procedures such as cosmetic dentistry, implants, and root canals. The only disadvantage of these plans is that they often require the patient to select a primary care provider from a list of approved providers. 

Dental Insurance vs. Practice Dental Membership Plans: Which Option is the Best?

Dental insurance covers a wide range of dental services and treatments, but dental membership plans can be less expensive and still give you access to good care. One of the most significant benefits of membership plans is that they are more customizable than dental insurance. One can choose which services and treatments to include in their plan, allowing them to control time-of-service costs. Unlike dental insurance, practice dental plans don't have waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. They also don't have deductibles, co-payments, or coinsurance. When people join practice dental membership plans, they have more control over their healthcare costs, and dentists have a more steady and predictable cash flow. Thus, these plans are a win-win situation for both consumers and dentists.

The Role of PlanSplit for Dental Membership Plans:

PlanSplit makes it easier for service providers and their customers to talk to each other by giving them a platform that makes it easier to make and sell dental memberships, plans, packages, and subscriptions. After a custom plan is created, our automated and human supported web-app handles administrative work , such as patient registration, payment collection, plan changes, plan renewals, and plan cancellations. Each month, the consumer's bank account is debited automatically. In the case of cancellation or modification, we also guide customers through the necessary procedures. Plans can be to accommodate varying degrees of need. The PlanSplit membership billing management software helps patients and service providers make the most of their dental health care relationships.