If you are like most people, you consider dental well-being a “very important” part of your overall health care plan. Having medical insurance typically takes the top billing on your health plan, but dental coverage is usually next up on your need-to-have list. But if you are in a situation that requires you to find dental coverage not only for you, but for other members of your family as well, and many people struggle to find out where to start?
Having some form of family dental plan can help you manage your family’s dental health AND dental care finances.
There are several places, online and regionally, that offer discount dental plan. These are designed for families to arrange preventive health care by making routine dental treatment accessible and affordable. The process seeks to have every member of your family visit a dentist regularly and keeps your family’s smiles healthy, but it also improves your family’s overall health and wellbeing. These are meant primarily as a preventative solution designed to avoid the costs of more serious dental issues by creating good habits early and often.
For example, tooth decay is the most prevalent disease among children — about five times more common than childhood asthma. Case studies show that if a child’s mouth hurts due to tooth decay, he or she is less likely to be able to concentrate at school and develops greater health issues beyond dental concerns. Issues like cavities, combined with a poor diet that are high in sugar, can also contribute to cognitive and growth problems and obesity.
By using a family dental plan to save money on dental care, taking regular visits to the family dentist can help alleviate dental problems before they become serious and expensive. According to Oral Health America, the cost of preventive dental treatment is 10 times less than the cost of managing symptoms of dental disease in a hospital emergency room.
So where do you start?
First: Understand Your Family’s Needs
Obviously, different age groups face different oral health challenges. Your age and the various ages of the members your family may affect the type of dental care you’ll need, so consider the following factors:
Ages 18-35
Most people in this age group generally face fewer oral health challenges. They benefit most from prevention and find value in a plan that covers basic cleanings and checkups. Regular yearly visits to the dentist will often cover most of this groups dental requirements.
Probably, if you fall within this age set, you are more likely to have a young family or to consider starting one soon. If your family has members that are young children, you will appreciate tools that encourage kids to learn and practice good oral health habits.
At this point, you might also consider orthodontic coverage for your children. Recent clinical studies suggest that pregnant women may benefit from additional dental cleanings, you may consider a plan that offers enhanced benefits that include such care.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should visit the dentist within six months of getting the first tooth – and no later than the first birthday.
Ages 36 – 59
At this stage in life you, odds are that you more likely to require restorative procedures, such as replacement fillings, root canals and crowns. Consider a plan that will help you manage your health and wellness by providing access to expert resources and offering choices to help confront oral health challenges.
Also, contemplate choosing a plan that offers lower deductibles and higher annual maximums in order to receive the best possible care. It is also recommended that you schedule approximately 3 to 4 regular, annual visits with your dentist as dental issues caught early can be a great money saver.
Ages 60 +
As you find yourself nearing retirement, you are more likely to face chronic dental conditions that simply happen over the course of a person’s lifetime. It’s important to look closely at plans that will help you manage the high expenses associated with more complicated conditions, such as gum disease. You may also be susceptible to dry mouth associated with medications or chronic diseases. Finally, procedures like dentures and implants can be very extensive AND expensive, so make certain that whatever plan you chose will be capable of handling those more demanding expenses.
Choosing the Right Dental Plan for You and Your Family
By understanding how oral health needs and coverage expectations vary by age, you can make better decisions about dental benefits for your family.
If your family doesn’t have a family dental insurance plan, you’re not alone. An estimated 132 million people in the United States don’t have dental insurance.
With the high sticker price of dental insurance for families, it’s no wonder that so many are going without it. The premium alone isn’t the only issue – family dental insurance plans are also associated with long waiting periods, deductibles, stringent annual plan maximums, limitations, exclusions, and health restrictions.
Today, fewer than 26 percent of adults age 65 and older have lost all their teeth. 20 years ago that figure was 46 percent.
To keep teeth as long as possible, it’s important to continue visiting the dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and preventative care. While one in seven 35-to-44-year-olds has gum disease, the occurrence rate increases to one in four among those over 65. As the saying goes – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Regardless of the dental plan you choose, making the decision to secure dental coverage for your family is the right choice. People with dental coverage exhibit healthier behaviors and better oral health habits – including brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing daily and visiting the dentist regularly
Taking the proper time to make sure that you have a dental plan in place can make a world of difference to your health and to your smile.