Dental insurance is designed to help cover the costs of dental procedures, ranging from checkups to surgeries to treat impacted wisdom teeth. The decision to purchase dental insurance should be undertaken carefully, and you should research any plans you are considering to make sure that they meet your needs. Depending on your age and dental health, dental insurance may be an excellent investment or a waste of funds.
If you anticipate the need for lots of dental procedures in the future, purchasing dental insurance now can be a very good idea. By buying into a plan before your teeth exhibit problems, you can generally get a better rate on the insurance. If you are facing major dental work, it's still worth it to try and get insurance, as it can save you some money, but be prepared to pay a high cost or be rejected by insurers if dental problems have already begun to manifest.
Whether dental insurance is offered through your employer or you seek out a private plan, get as much information as possible about the plan. You should be aware that many procedures are not covered under dental insurance, and some plans have very high deductibles and premiums. It is also common for a dental insurance company to have preferred providers; you may be only partially covered, if at all, if you choose to use a provider who is not listed by the insurance company.
If possible, get information about premiums and deductibles from several insurance companies, along with information about what kind of procedures are covered, as this will allow you to make a side-by-side comparison. Consider whether or not the insurance will be cost effective. If you only go in for a checkup once a year, dental insurance is probably not a good choice for you. If you need frequent cleanings or fillings, it might be a good idea, if these procedures are covered. If they are not, or they are only partially covered, the cost of dental insurance may not be worth it.
As with any form of insurance, make sure that you understand the terms of a dental insurance policy before you purchase it. Be aware that it may take several months for benefits to kick in, and that you will probably be required to pay at least part of the fee up front at the dentist's office. In some cases, you must pay the entire fee and then submit the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement, and this is something to think about if you have a fixed income, as you may not be able to afford the cost of procedures even with a promise of reimbursement.