Millions Of Americans Are Avoiding The Dentist

Oral health and maintenance is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Prevention and correction of dental problems is essential to stem the damage to one of the most important features of the human body. Many people are unable to effectively maintain their oral health due to a lack of dental coverage and end up avoiding the dentist. This is mainly due to loss of employment and downsizing by major businesses effecting employee dental benefits. People who are used to regular dental check-ups are looking at options for where they can get affordable dental benefits. One main question on their minds today is “What is the difference between Dental Insurance and a Discount Dental Plan?”

Managed care dental plans are restricted forms of dental insurance which aim at reducing costs and payouts. They tend to restrict the coverage by limiting the access to care by restrictions (by predefining dentist, specialist, hospital or treatments in form of lists) and restricting level, type and frequency of treatment (usually in form of clauses in the coverage policy). There is generally some paperwork involved and you simply make a small co-payment at time of service.  The dental insurance provider will reimburse the dentist for the claim of approved covered services and treatments. 

Despite these drawbacks, some companies offer dental benefits by group discount schemes. These are also called discount dental plans. These membership programs costs very little money monthly or annually and plan members can use dental services at a deeply discounted rate. The payment is made directly by the patient to the dentist, no paperwork or claims or future hassles.