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We no longer have dental insurance. It's not worth the premium. Our dentist offers a plan, which coves essentials and leaves a small about of $ on the table for extras. Not much. However, the plan is only good for 12 months, and you have to get the cleaning, exams and X rays in that period. I've done a little reading and unless you have issues, X rays every year may be a bit of overkill. We are also quite diligent with oral hygiene, so even a cleaning every 6 months isn't always warranted. I value having my own teeth, I've had plenty of work done on them over the years, often paid for out of our pocket. I'm not trying to be cheap, but I also don't think I need to visit the dentist quite so often.
I went today for a cleaning, It's been eight months as I had to cancel and reschedule. There were no issues with cleaning. No gum problems. In speaking with the hygienist we agreed to stick with the eight months in between visits, I'll see the dentist for an exam next time and have Xrays every 18-24 months. If an issue brings me to him sooner, I can enroll in their little plan at that time, pay less for the emergency visit, get 15% off the work I have done and get the next cleaning for "free." Rick will likely do the same.
So what do you all do about dental insurance/dental visits?
We've always had dental coverage included in my past employer's plan. Starting 2019 we have to shop the market place for individual health, drug, vision, and dental. Starting next year we dropped dental for the same reason, high premiums with a $1k max coverage. I discussed it with my dentist and he totally agreed. He said buy the BEST health plan you can and forget getting dental. No dental expense will break the bank but a health issue certainly will.
Having said that Donna was scheduled for x-rays next month, so we moved them up to this week. They discovered she may have an issue and she is going to see a specialist for a hallo effect, whatever that is, this week.
I have some coverage for basic checkups. I can get a plan that covers more but I don't want to. So I pay out of pocket for crowns, etc. which is expensive. I go every six months for cleaning.
I have some coverage for basic checkups. I can get a plan that covers more but I don't want to. So I pay out of pocket for crowns, etc. which is expensive. I go every six months for cleaning.
Most plans cover such a low percentage for restorative work, the outlay of $ for premium doesn't seem to make a lot of financial sense. If you are "lucky" you might score an 80% reimbursement on a root canal.... I've had dental insurance on and off over the years. . Dental care is very expensive. It is no wonder many folks can barely afford fillings, never mind the pricey stuff like root canals, crowns, bridges, implants....
Most plans cover such a low percentage for restorative work, the outlay of $ for premium doesn't seem to make a lot of financial sense. If you are "lucky" you might score an 80% reimbursement on a root canal.... I've had dental insurance on and off over the years. . Dental care is very expensive. It is no wonder many folks can barely afford fillings, never mind the pricey stuff like root canals, crowns, bridges, implants....
I'm in the middle of having a crown put in. The tooth already had the root canals done several years back. Charge is $1,300. I'm thinking my dental will pay 50%; years back they would have paid 80%.
Our insurance never paid more than 50% on crowns. IF you had a root canal AND a crown in the same year, you might get your $'s worth of out the premium. Get the work done while you have the insurance!!
I've never had dental insurance. I don't like getting a cleaning every six months and go more like once a year. With what I call "toothers" and an good electric toothbrush, that I use often to get the coffee taste out of my mouth, I find it a waste of money. I think frequent x-rays are over rated too unless you have a concern. I've paid for root canals and crowns, out-of-pocket, but no premiums. I've had dentists with opposing views and I go with my gut. One dentist was warning me to have a tooth pulled and get a fake tooth put in after he saw some space in a root canal that had been bothering me. The dentist who did the original root canal said it wasn't necessary and to wait and see how the root canal felt. A third wanted me to schedule getting it pulled. It's been totally fine for 8 or so months. If I need it pulled I'll do it when the time comes.
12-04-2018, 07:03 AM
Dental Visits, X rays - how often?
I've had dental insurance on and off over the years. . Dental care is very expensive. It is no wonder many folks can barely afford fillings, never mind the pricey stuff like root canals, crowns, bridges, implants....
to do it yourself people
