Dental Plans

[mschrisgo2]

So, this vast variety of "plans" is all enough to keep my head spinning! I'm working part-time and independently, so I'm not part of an "employer-group" - so I've really had to go shopping. And I've gotten totally lost in it! I asked friends locally for the names of dentists that they like, and got 4 names. Then tried to match the names with insurance plans, can came up empty-handed! Then I called the dentists and asked what insurance they accept and got such vague answers that they weren't helpful.

Furthermore, it seems that the only "plans" available to individuals in California are for those supermarket style dental clinics like Save Your Smile, and others where you take a number and never see the same dentist/practitioner twice. I just hate that kind of treatment! I'm an introvert and I prefer to make the effort to establish an understanding with someone I'll see again. And I really hate having to explain the same things over and over, and continually remind every person who walks in about drug allergies. I tried it last year and the whole experience left me feeling so distrusting, stressed and frazzled that I just don't want to do it again.

Anybody have any ideas?

[awakenedsoul]

mschrisgo2,
I know what you mean. I went to a clinic and got some work done. I had to have a crown done over at a dental office, and I felt the same way. It was traumatic.

Once I finished the work, I switched to a system by a dentist in NY. Her website is www.zellies.com. It's worked for me ever since. Using all of these rinses and the zylotol costs a lot of money, but it's stress free. If it resonates with you, it's a huge relief. She wrote a book called Kiss Your Dentist Good-Bye!

[Spartana]

I'd also like to find a good dental plan but so far have been unsuccessful. Don't have any dental issues so just need basic cleaning and check ups once a year or so and have just been paying for it myself (going to those places that offer new customer specials for cleanings, exam and x-rays at discount prices). Most plans, even the plans offered thru the VA hospital (i.e. Delta Dental), seem very costly for what you get. I might just have to join Rob and go over the border to Mexico if I need more extensive dental care.

[jp1]

Because dental plans have such a limited benefit, usually $1000 or $1500 per year, and everyone needs similar amounts of treatment per year the only way they work is if you have an employer plan that pays part of the premium. Otherwise adverse selection takes over and only people with problems buy them. The only real benefit is getting the negotiated rate for the services. We have the option of joining a free 'plan' that isn't insurance but the dentists have agreed to only charge the negotiated prices. That might be the best thing for you. Sorry I can't remember the name of it.

[iris lily]

We never have an insurance plan. We pay cash and get 10% off the dentist's price.

I think people really have to look carefully at insurance for dentistry to make sure it's worth it and not just assume it's something everyone should have. For us, it's been fine to go without. DH has some work done every few years but that's what our savings account if for, to fund that.

But then, I have rock solid teeth (but not-so-good gums.) The single highest dental expense I've ever had was $1,000+ for my dogs' teeth extraction by the board certified specialty veterinarian. I remember it as $1600 but surely it wasn't that much.

[Jilly]

My dental/vision plan is cheap, but it pays for itself with two dental exams with xrays, twice a year cleaning, and one yearly eye exam that includes a pair of glasses.

I pay for everything else. It saves me a couple hundred dollars each year, but I would really like something better.

[ApatheticNoMore]

It saves me a couple hundred dollars each year, but I would really like something better.

Yea that's probably right, a couple hundred, the cost of two cleanings from a dentist you go to regularly, lots of years don't need more. Sometimes I put the dental money in a flexible spending account, with the tax savings it's much less than a couple hundred your paying, more like a bit over $100 dental costs in a year if all you need is 2 cleanings and not having to worry about what a plan covers. If the dentists are telling you you need x-rays every year you don't.

[iris lily]

Yea that's probably right, a couple hundred, the cost of two cleanings from a dentist you go to regularly, lots of years don't need more. Sometimes I put the dental money in a flexible spending account, with the tax savings it's much less than a couple hundred your paying, more like a bit over $100 dental costs in a year if all you need is 2 cleanings and not having to worry about what a plan covers. If the dentists are telling you you need x-rays every year you don't.

Agreed, the flex spending plan takes even more off the top, so with that and our cash discount, a cleaning is well under $100. I think I paid $87 last time. Then we do get xray each year, I haven't had the nerve to tell the dentists "no thanks."

But our eye glasses are more expensive. DH had bad eyes and his glasses costs around $550.

Still the flexible spending account helps.

[peggy]

We have a basic plan through husbands work, but it's my experience that most plans only pay for the standard two cleanings a year. I had to have a root canal this winter, my first, and our insurance paid very little of it. Truthfully, I was kind of po'd that they didn't pay more. My advice, have insurance, don't have insurance, either way, set aside some money each year for those times you need actual WORK cause chances are your insurance won't cover it.