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THE TRUTH ABOUT DENTAL INSURANCE
Dental "Insurance" is a misnomer; in reality it is nothing more than a pre-payment plan administered and sold as
insurance. The term "INSURANCE" implies that the company is betting you will remain healthy and you are betting
that you will require treatment in excess of the paid-in premium.
Dental Insurance Companies foster the impression that you are paying a premium to insure against a risk as in "life
Insurance" or "Medical Insurance." What you are really doing is purchasing (annual premium) a limited set of
dental services with a yearly maximum payout (generally $500-$2500). There are no provisions for catastrophic loss or injury
as in medical coverage.
Common dental pre-payment plans cover a portion of some routine services such as exams, x-rays. cleanings, fillings, crowns,
dentures, and some surgical/periodontal services. Rarely, implant, orthodontic, or "reconstructive" services are
covered, and if they are, usually require a significant premium increase. Routine services considered necessary by your dentist
are often denied as "not being covered." It is not unusual that the company will coerce a dentist to use an inferior
appliance (e.g. partial denture in a patient with periodontal disease) in order to avoid coverage for bridges and implant
crowns. They do this by informing the patient that an inferior appliance or restoration is covered while the treatment recommended
by your dentist is not. A few companies have even gone so far as to imply in their letter to the patient that the dentist's
treatment plan and recommendations are incorrect or tainted. In short, the insurance company is not looking out for you. They
are a "money business".... not a healthcare business
The bottom line is that your "insurance" may not cover a normal procedure required for your health. It is the
company that often determines which services you receive by selectively denying more expense materials and procedures.
The games being played are not always one-sided. Dentists that participate with dental insurance companies agree to accept
the companies fee for a limited number of routine procedures. Most dentists try to do what they feel is best for their patients,
limit their care to necessary procedures and inform you when a service is elective. However, there are "professionals"
who will schedule unnecessary treatment in order to makeup for the discount they had to take participating with an insurance
company. Be aware that integrity and skill are more important than which prepayment company the dentist chooses to play with.
Some Important Points to Remember:
The dental pre-payment company is not concerned with what is best for your oral health! They may deny services that are necessary
for your dental health and routinely place restrictions on these services.
Choose your health care professional carefully. The very best is often the least expensive. Do not select a dentist from
a "yellow page" ad, website ad or because he/she participates with your "insurance" company. Investigate
the dentist's reputation by asking friends, relatives and others in the health care professions.
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