topic Re: Dental Insurance... in Among Friends

Dental Insurance...

Sunshine Kate — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:29:14 GMT

For those that have dental insurance, do you think it pays to have it?

I'm thinking of applying for it, but not sure it's really worth it.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

TIA

Re: Dental Insurance...

I am still oxox — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:31:09 GMT

Yes it is part of our health insurance and it pays for 2 cleanings a year which is about 150 for each of us

Re: Dental Insurance...

kaydee50 — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:33:29 GMT

I have dental insurance through Medicare. $1,000/year which much to my surprise includes twice yearly check ups which I thought would not have been included in the $1,000.

I have looked into additional coverage but for now have decided against it. Monthly premiums aren't cheap and the coverage is somewhat limited. I put the money aside and hope I don't have any big dental bills for the coming year.

As always, read the fine print!

Re: Dental Insurance...

Desertdi — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:34:52 GMT

NO... What I needed done at my age (implants) was NOT covered.

Re: Dental Insurance...

PixieStar — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:42:58 GMT

Depends on what insurance company. Decided choosing PPO not HMO many reasons. I'm very satisfied with mine. This year paid out of pocket $25.000 major work also traveled home to NY though my Dentist here is fine wouldn't have anyone except my NY Dentist do the work. This week was my last procedure. I'll return every September for checkups and maintain cleanings and exams here. My insurance coverage did cover small percentage even though my NY Dentist wasn't in network. Can't begin to express my joyful satisfaction with the results. 😁

Re: Dental Insurance...

BunSnoop — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:45:58 GMT

When I was working and dental insurance was offered through my employer, yes - it was definitely good to have and worth the premium.

Now that I'm retired, I have Medicare (non-Advantage plan). I did some shopping for an individual dental plan and, in my opinion, I thought I was just better to go without. I seemed to me that the best individual dental plan is a PPO plan; however, my dentist does not participate in any PPO's. She does give me a small discount (5%) if I pay by cash/check rather than using a credit card.

Re: Dental Insurance...

PixieStar — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:52:24 GMT

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Re: Dental Insurance...

Shelbelle — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:56:47 GMT

We lost our dental plan when my DH retired, it was good. We decided to try a plan from Met Life called Take Along, it has had is moments when it could have been better but as a whole it has been great. We pay abput 1100 a year premium for the 2 of us, it is the best plan they offer. but, in the end it has been very beneficial, pays for xrays, checkups, plus towards crowns, implants, root canals. Our dental office negotiates with them on all our charges which is also a huge help. We looked at Physicians Mutual and Delta but went with Met Life. The secretary in our dental office said in her opinion to stick with Met Life. We have a great plan thru my DH retirement for our Medicare with Aetna, but unfortunalely dental is not included.

Re: Dental Insurance...

smoochy — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:05:47 GMT

good news, bad news. Premiums are costly. The coverage for what I've needed in old age, and will continue to need, is minimal. Bridges, crowns, extractions. $1000 paid on bridges that cost me $7500 out of pocket. And that $1000 used up my benefits for the year.

Re: Dental Insurance...

RescueLover — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:33:57 GMT

YES ! @Sunshine Kate 🌻

I would NOT want to be without dental insurance ! !

I pay $36 per month and for 2026 the premium is going down to $35 ( what goes down these days! )

It covers 2 free cleanings each year, a full set of X-rays (I think every 2 years), a facial jaw scan and any X-rays whenever needed within the 2 years.

Dental Procedures such as fillings, crowns, root canals are covered 50%.

Re: Dental Insurance...

pdlinda — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:38:03 GMT

@Desertdi I am retired from the County. Delta Dental premium. It's good. I have had 3 implants. They pay for half.

Re: Dental Insurance...

SilleeMee — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:02:39 GMT

Not for me. It's not worth the cost. I save by going to a local dental school to have routine stuff done. That's also where I got all of my 9 implants.

Re: Dental Insurance...

Laura14 — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:12:41 GMT

My dentist does not participate in my employer's insurance and some people are worth it to me.

I find that if I add up the premiums and what I spend with him a year, it's worth being self-insured.

I only do two cleanings and x-rays. No major stuff although I have had two cavities filled in the twenty years I've been with him. Still not worth the premiums.

Be careful if you are going private. We just did our open enrollment at work. My dentist will accept my employer's insurance, but you're on the hook for any difference in the fees since he is not in-network. That means you could be overpaying between premiums and out of pocket.

If you do go for insurance, you must stay in network. It's the only thing that makes sense financially.

Re: Dental Insurance...

bargainsgirl — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:24:55 GMT

NO!!! Our dental would cost over $1,000 per year.(for 2 of us) For cleanings out of pocket (4 total), the cost is about $800. Other BIG issues like crowns and implants are not covered so why pay for insurane unless you can get it for dirt cheap...

Re: Dental Insurance...

bargainsgirl — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:25:25 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
NO... What I needed done at my age (implants) was NOT covered.

Same here. I just got an implant...

Re: Dental Insurance...

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:26:57 GMT

@pdlinda wrote:
@Desertdi I am retired from the County. Delta Dental premium. It's good. I have had 3 implants. They pay for half.

We also have Delta Premium as part of our retirement package from husband's previous employer. Very happy with this coverage.

Re: Dental Insurance...

jlkz — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:31:33 GMT

@kaydee50

Don't be surprised if a dental insurance company requires you to have been covered the year before in order for your coverage with the new company to start immediately.

Otherwise, you my have to wait for a year....

Re: Dental Insurance...

jlkz — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:37:18 GMT

@bargainsgirl @Desertdi

I Understand the implant issue; however, all it takes is one fall or one car accident ( Lord forbid ) to make dental insurance worth it.

Some insurance does pay for 50% of an implant up to a certain $ amount.

Re: Dental Insurance...

KittySoftPaws — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:41:27 GMT

I have it now, but I am going to drop it because like most insurances, it limits where you can go which is not a good thing in most cases. Because as we all know, where and who you see for important procedures can make a huge difference. The Dentist I first found here that took my insurance is a large conglomerate, and after my initial exam and xrays they gave me an estimate that was insane! First off, I have never been told I needed a "deep clean" (way more expensive) and when the Tech did the gum probes, he pushed harder than I have ever experienced so that he could then justify the need. Then based on that, telling me not only that I needed a deep clean, but I would need one every 3 months to the tune of almost $300.00 each time. Obviously I didn't return, and found a small practice with 2 Dentists that is like night and day from the other one. They don't take my insurance, but they didn't tell me I needed a deep clean either, because I didn't, and they don't treat you like a number, or sell you what you don't need. Just like with vision insurances, it doesn't pay to have it in so many ways. For what you pay for the insurance itself, and what you don't get out of it, you would be better off setting that money aside for dental expenses that are only necessary, and to also find a reputable Dentist who values you and is not trying to take you to the cleaners.

Re: Dental Insurance...

Q-Checker — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:09:57 GMT

@I am stilloxoxx As I recall, you mentioned that you have federal BC/BS insurance. If that is correct, dental insurance is not part of it -- it is an optional add-on to the basic premium. There is a range of both HMO and PPO dental and vision plan options. At present this is Open Season, which offers an opportunity to select new plans. A recent mailing, which I received today, includes web site addresses to view coverage and premiums for this array of plan choices. It may be very much worth your while to view these plans and their premiums and select one that best fits any routine and/or projected dental and vision care needs. Or not.