dental insurance?

[Quantum Buckyball]

Do you think it's worth to get a dental insurance? I have talked to a couple of people before and they said it's not worth the cost because it covers visiting and cleaning (which both  are covered by the comprehensive health insurance already). and they don't cover any of the cosmetic procedures .. 

[Usmivka]

Fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and emergency dentistry--all are covered or have costs partially offset by dental insurance. If you are absolutely convinced nothing bad will happen, it is less expensive to pay for two appointments a year out of pocket without any dental insurance.

 

Personally, I've yet to have a year that I didn't at least break even on dental insurance. Conversely, I had to postpone a lot of fillings and repairs from several years without dental insurance a while back, which made things a lot worse by the time I finally had insurance again. Grad student dental plans are like $200-250 a year--that's 55 to 70 cents a day.

[TakeruK]

For me, it's worth it to get dental insurance. I pay $250 a year for both me and my wife (it's about $150 if it's just me). Our plan pays a set amount for each procedure, with a $50 deductible for any work done beyond basic cleaning and x-rays. There is a $1500 annual maximum.

 

In the last two years, the two of us have claimed about $1000 or so per year in dental benefits (root canals and crowns are expensive!) so it's been worth it. A cleaning and comprehensive exam at my dentist costs about $30 and x-rays cost an extra $20 or so (once per year). So, the basic cost for regular maintenance is about $160 for both of us. Makes sense to pay an extra $90 per year just in case we need extra work done (a filling would cost $120 and the plan pays about $90).

[Quantum Buckyball]

Excellent, can you recommend a dental insurance agency that is somewhat trustworthy? I used http://insurance-quote-review.toptenreviews.com/dental-insurance-review/ but I don't know if that's legit or not.

[TakeruK]

My school uses Delta Dental for its student plan, and I haven't ever had any problems with them! They are #3 on your list. I also just checked what plan they have for professors, staff, etc. and it's also a Delta Dental plan. 

[Usmivka]

My school uses Delta as well. I have had problems with the third party benefits management company that realys bills between the insurer and my dentist, but no issues with Delta itself.

[hustlebunny]

Get it!! I am suffering the consequences of not having it, so much damage done to my teeth , getting it now though.

[Quantum Buckyball]

sounds good, I'll get the delta dental insurance then 

[spectastic]

my delta dental is $150/yr. I've never used it though. The only thing I do use it for was a check up, where the doctor basically told me to floss or I'm going to lose all my teeth and die a toothless man. I'm considering cancelling it, because I don't have any problems with them

[dstock]

My school doesn't have dental for graduate students.  For a dental appointment uninsured I think I've paid about $100-120.

[rising_star]

Fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and emergency dentistry--all are covered or have costs partially offset by dental insurance. If you are absolutely convinced nothing bad will happen, it is less expensive to pay for two appointments a year out of pocket without any dental insurance.

This depends on your dental insurance. The plan offered at my last employer (for full-time employees mind you) did not cover fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants for the first full year of your membership unless they were somehow emergency procedures. One full year of paying where you could basically only get x-rays and cleanings covered. And, there were only had 3 dentist offices within 30 miles that took the insurance, so you either had to travel, be super flexible and come in whenever they called, or wait nearly 8 months from when you enrolled to get in for the x-rays and cleaning. (Yes, I know that's a long wait but, when there were literally a few thousand people plus their families with this insurance and only 3 offices taking the insurance, waits were long.)

 

My school doesn't have dental for graduate students.  For a dental appointment uninsured I think I've paid about $100-120.

Yea, this is what I've paid in the past too. I didn't have dental insurance in grad school because there was no plan for it. I don't have it now because I've got great teeth and have kept them up well.

 

FWIW, you really should invest in a power toothbrush if you haven't already. Even the $25 Oral-B ones do a much better job cleaning your teeth than you do. My dental hygienist said she can tell the difference between those who use one and those who don't. If you can, get one with a timer to ensure that you are brushing for the proper amount of time (2 minutes). The other thing is to floss at least once a day. The power toothbrush and some floss will make a world of difference in your oral health.

[spectastic]

+1 on power brush. found out the other day I've been doing it wrong this whole time. you're suppose to brush at 45 deg angle into your gums.

 

I need to floss too. plan is to do brush and floss at night and rinse in the morning.

 

 

 

There was this broke author in New York who explained how he couldn't afford tooth paste, so for 5 years, he took one of those metal hooks to scrape away plaque around his gum. when he started making money, he went to the doctor, and they were shocked at how good his teeth looked. I just find that intriguing.