Family Dental Insurance

About Family Dental Insurance

Cleanings, fillings, and x-rays can add up to thousands of dollars. To make sure your family's teeth stay healthy, consider purchasing family dental insurance. This type of insurance can provide you and your family with coverage not offered by your health insurance plan.

Without dental coverage, you may not be able to afford the routine care needed to prevent serious dental diseases and tooth decay. Having a family dental insurance plan will allow your family to visit the dentist for routine check-ups, cleanings, and x-rays. Extras, such as braces, bridges, and extractions can also be covered by a dental insurance plan.

You family needs to keep their teeth and gums healthy. The only way they can do this is with trips to the dentist. Having dental insurance ensures that you will be making decisions based on your family's needs, not your pocketbook.

Family Dental Insurance Options

When searching for dental insurance plans, you have two basic options:

• Individual coverage
• Group coverage

Individual Coverage

As the name suggests, individual dental insurance can be purchased by individuals. Anyone who purchases this type of coverage has the option of buying coverage for themselves or for the entire household.

Group Coverage

Group dental coverage provides insurance to a large number of participating members. Because there are so many members in one group, rates are often discounted although much of the coverage is the same. If you are a participating member in a group insurance plan, you may be able to buy additional coverage for your family members.

Shopping for Dental Coverage

If you are lucky, your employer may offer some type of dental coverage as part of your benefits package. In most cases, this coverage can be extended to your family members for a few extra dollars each month. If you have the option, consider enrolling in your employer's dental insurance plan. You will most likely get coverage that is comparable and much more affordable than the insurance you could purchase on your own.

If your employer does not provide a dental insurance plan or will not agree to extend coverage to your family members, you will be responsible for finding your own policy. Fortunately, there are many different options that are available to you. Not only can you choose your own insurance company, you can also choose a plan that's just right for your family's needs.

When shopping for family dental insurance, it is a good idea to shop around and get several quotes prior to buying a policy. Coverage and costs can vary dramatically depending upon the company and the plan that is chosen. If you're not sure where to start, here are several popular and long-established companies that offer family dental insurance:

• Delta Dental Insurance
• Guardian Dental Insurance
• Cigna Dental Insurance

Special Considerations

Family dental insurance can ease your financial burden and provide your family with the coverage they need to maintain good dental health. However, there are some special considerations to keep in mind when searching for a policy. You should never go by cost alone. Some questions to ask your insurance company include:

• Can I choose my own dentist?
• Does the insurance policy cover visits to specialists, such as orthodontists, periodontists, and oral surgeons?
• What percentages of my family's dental costs will the insurance cover?
• Are there any deductibles or other fees in addition to insurance premiums?