Do I Really Need Dental Insurance if I have Medical Coverage?

Comparing health insurance to dental insurance can be a little like comparing apples to oranges. Sure, they’re both fruit, but the similarities pretty much end there. If you’ve ever wondered why these plans are so different from each other, here are a few key reasons.

Why is Dental Insurance Separate from Health Insurance?

In order to understand why dental insurance is so dissimilar to health insurance, you must travel back in time to when dentistry was considered its own entity and not a part of medical care. Because of this perspective, dental schools were separated from medical schools, and dental insurance was not included in medical plans.

Nowadays, we know that dentistry is just as important as general medicine and the two are directly related, but dental insurance is still separate from medical.

Focus on Care

The main difference between how dental insurance and medical insurance works is that dental insurance is focused on preventive care, while medical insurance typically treats problems after the fact. This is why your dental plan fully covers your semi-annual exams and X-rays, but only partially covers restorative care such as fillings or root canals.

How To Save Money with Dental Insurance

Because dental insurance is designed to cover a lower percentage of your restorative costs, it is important to take good care of your oral health if you want to make the most of your money.  This means that you should do everything you can to prevent oral health issues like cavities and gum disease, including:

• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing once a day
• Visting your dentist twice a year for your semi-annual exams
• Alerting your dentist as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your oral health

Dental Insurance vs. Health Insurance Do I Need Both?

While you may think it will save a little money to opt out of dental insurance coverage, this is a dangerous idea. Emergencies can happen at any time for any reason, especially if your dentist doesn’t have the chance to monitor your oral health on a regular basis.

While preventive care and maintenance is the goal of dental insurance, even having partial coverage for emergency care can save you thousands of dollars. Furthermore, medical insurance usually does not cover dental procedures, so only having one type of coverage could leave you vulnerable in an emergency.

Remember, dental insurance is designed to help empower you to protect your oral health by encouraging you to visit your dentist regularly for preventive care. While it is different from medical insurance in many ways, it can still save you money and help you stay on top of your oral health, making it a smart investment in your health and in your wallet.

About Our Practice

Anderson Dental Center is home to a skilled team of dentists, including an orthodontist and an oral surgeon. We are proud to provide a variety of comprehensive care options in one convenient location. We’re in-network with most major dental insurance providers and will happily submit out-of-network claims as needed.

To schedule an appointment or if you have any questions about your insurance coverage, please contact us by visiting our website or calling 201-546-7435.