Whether you are looking for general dentistry in Reston, VA, or another location, having dental insurance can serve many benefits. While many people may believe that dental insurance is expensive, there are certain things you can look over to determine whether it is a match for you.
Dental Insurance Overview
Individual dental insurance can work in several ways. First, you must choose a plan based on your preferred dentists and your budget.
- If you have a dentist in mind and they are in the insurance company’s network, you will be able to choose one of their cheaper plans.
- If you don’t have a dentist preference at all, you can select from any of the dentists that are already in-network with your insurance company, and you will also have the option of choosing a cheaper plan.
- If the dentist you already have is not in-network with your insurance company, you can still get insurance, but you will have to pay out of pocket, which will cost more than seeing a dentist
in-network.
The monthly premium that you pay will depend on the insurance company you choose, as well as your location, and your plan. For most people, $50 is the typical amount for a monthly premium, which equals out to $600 each year.
Is Dental Insurance Worth the Expense?
Insurance was created to help protect you in some of the worst possible scenarios, and dental insurance is much different from other types of insurance. For example, health insurance and homeowners insurance is so high that many people cannot afford the risk of not being insured.
However, with dental insurance, the downside is lower. If you only need to have simple work done, such as a teeth cleaning and dental exam, you could lose money by having dental insurance. You could spend
$400 if you paid out of pocket for these services versus $600 each year on your premium. However, older individuals who may need crowns, dentures, root canals, and even tooth replacements can benefit from having dental insurance
Final Thoughts
If you can’t select a dental plan that is of high quality, such as a PPO or through a DHMO, then your best bet will probably be to pay out of pocket for your dental expenses. Regardless of your insurance decision, brushing and flossing regularly and having professional cleanings every six months can be an effective way to save money in the future.
