How to Select a Dental Plan

Even though there are numerous types of dental plans on the market, choosing the right one for you and your family does not have to be a difficult process. By making two simple decisions, you can select a program that is suited to your needs.

Since many plans limit the choice of dentists, you must first decide if you are satisfied with the services of your current practitioner. If so, you should choose a plan that allows you to receive benefits when you are treated by any licensed dentist. This may be referred to as a ‘freedom of choice’ plan. Even though a ‘network based’ plan may provide you with better benefits, the most important factor is your relationship with the dentist. If you are comfortable in his or her chair, you will be more likely to seek preventive and routine dental care. While you will probably pay more for this option, your oral health will be assured.

If you are unhappy with the services of your dentist, or if you do not have a relationship with a dental provider, the choice of dentists becomes less critical when selecting a plan. Even though the network based plans only operate through a limited number of dentists, they usually have more than enough providers in most areas for you to make a selection. That being the case, you can move on to the second decision – the costs of dental care.

If you are concerned about your out-of-pocket expenses, you should almost always select the network based plan. If the available plan reimburses you on a fee-for-service basis for covered services rendered, it will usually have a lower deductible (if any), greater reimbursements and higher maximums. This will mean lower expenses for you. If the available plan does not reimburse you, but actually provides you with covered services at participating dental offices, your costs will be even lower. This type of network based plan has no deductibles or maximums, and only includes co-payments that you pay directly to the dentist for certain services. These co-payments seldom apply to preventive treatment and represent a fraction of the true cost of major procedures.

Regarding the abilities of the dentists in network based or other managed care dental plans, studies have shown no difference in the quality of care between participating and non-participating dentists. All providers must be licensed by the states in which they practice and all are required to take continuing education courses in order to maintain their skills. Additionally, the dentists in most network based plans have had their credentials verified according to guidelines established by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an independent, non-profit organization that certifies credentials verification organizations and accredits managed care organizations.

Choice of dentists, and costs of care – a full understanding of how these two issues affect you, will make the selection of a dental plan easier than pulling teeth.