If you don’t have dental insurance, you’re not alone. An estimated 68.5 million adults in the United States do not have dental insurance, according to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®. Before we talk about affordable ways to get dental care, let’s talk about why it’s important to have it.
Why do I need dental coverage?
Without dental coverage you are less likely to go to the dentist, allowing minor problems to turn into serious concerns. Plus, taking care of your teeth isn’t about just having a nice smile and good breath; it is vital to your overall health. According to the NADP, people without dental insurance report higher incidences of other illnesses like heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.
With that said, let’s investigate some ways you can get affordable dental care.
Free dental care
Yes, it exists. Many states offer free or low-cost dental care to those who are low-income, elderly or disabled. A great resource to learn more about free dental care in your area is the United Way. Give them a call to learn more about their programs and eligibility requirements. If they are unable to help, ask them for names of other local organizations that may be able to help. If you do not qualify for free dental services, there are still other affordable dental care options available.
Group plan or private dental insurance
If you can sign up for a group policy through your or your partner’s employer, take advantage of it. Group policies are significantly less expensive than getting your own. If you are not sure about company benefits or how they work, ask human resources for help.
Or you can purchase your own dental insurance, more affordably than you might think, from trusted providers like Aetna. As an example, an Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PPO, costs about $400+ a year, and covers preventive care at 100% (no out of pocket cost to you) as well as basic services (80%) with in-network providers (after deductible) and major services (50%) up to $1,250 per covered person. After you reach that limit, you pay out of your own pocket until your plan’s annual reset date.
Look into Marketplace dental insurance
Healthcare.gov is the federal Health Insurance Marketplace – some states manage their own ACA plans. This is where you can shop and compare health, vision and dental plans that are available to you through the Affordable Care Act. To get dental insurance on the Marketplace, you will either need to sign up for a health plan that also covers dental or add dental insurance to your chosen Marketplace health plan.
The amount you will pay for health coverage is based on several factors including, but not limited to:
- Where you live
- Your age
- If you have dependents
- If you are pregnant
- Expected household income
- If you qualify for exemptions or assistance
Check out healthcare.gov and “Get Coverage” to find what the cost of dental insurance would be for you.
Alternatives to dental insurance
An affordable alternative to insurance is a dental savings plan. These plans, such as Aetna’s Dental Vital Savingssm Plus, costs about $150 a year. With it, you can save anywhere from 15% to 50% off the cost of virtually all dental procedures. And, unlike dental insurance, dental savings plans have no annual spending cap. You can use your plan as often as needed. Some Aetna dental savings plans also include savings on other health care services, such as prescriptions, vision and hearing care and products.
More than 100,000 dentists nationwide accept dental savings plans. Learn more about saving on dental care with Aetna dental insurance and Aetna dental savings plans today.
Get affordable dental care
Spend some time researching the options we have covered to see which best meets your needs. The important thing is that you get dental care sooner than later. It is time and money well spent – your smile and your health are priceless.