How dental insurance works

When it comes to dental insurance, it’s important to understand that it operates differently from traditional medical insurance. While insurance as a means to cover the cost of a loss may not apply to dental coverage, most dental insurance plans function as cost-saving memberships that can help make dental care more affordable.

Typically, the cost of repairing your tooth will be split between you and your insurance company, with the portion you pay determined by your plan type and the nature of the procedure. Factors such as whether the treatment is preventive, basic, or major and whether your plan covers that particular type of care can also impact the portion you pay.

Finally, the total amount that your insurance company will contribute toward your dental health typically has a yearly cap. It’s like an allowance, and every new year, that allowance bank starts over.

Remember: Dental insurance is meant to help you afford care, not dictate it. So look beyond the bottom line and consider your dental health as a worthy investment. Use your “allowance” to help make care more affordable, not necessarily cover in full all the care you need to be healthy.