According to the CDC, nearly 50% of American adults (between the ages of 18 and 64) are without dental insurance. For those over the age of 65, this percentage is even lower.
When you consider how important oral health is, those numbers are especially concerning. The health of your teeth and gums directly affects the rest of your body and your mental health. Therefore, regular dental appointments are an essential component of overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, a lack of dental insurance causes many people to avoid going to the dentist until they have a serious oral health problem.
To combat this issue, our Austin, TX dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale, offers an in-house dental plan that provides significant discounts on preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental treatments. It might be even better than traditional dental insurance!
Let’s compare the two.
Traditional Dental Insurance
While the cost of dental care has significantly increased in the past 40 years, dental insurance coverage has not. However, the greatest benefit of having dental insurance is that (in most cases) it covers 100% of the cost of preventive dental treatments like cleanings and x-rays.
Unfortunately, conventional insurance has more disadvantages than advantages. The disadvantages include:
- Low percentage coverage on other necessary treatments like a dental crown or other restorative dentistry treatments.
- Yearly maximums. So, if you need extensive dental work because you have missing teeth, damaged teeth, crooked teeth, and other issues, you will likely end up paying out-of-pocket in addition to your monthly premium.
- Overpaying for preventive care. If you are only vising the dentist twice a year for dental cleanings and exams, you will likely pay more in premiums than if you paid out-of-pocket.
All things considered, traditional insurance might not be the best option for you.
In-House Dental Plan
An in-house dental plan is similar to insurance, except you receive the benefits directly from your dentist. So, you will pay a start-up fee and monthly fee, but you’ll have exclusive member benefits for all types of services.
With our in-house dental plan in Austin, TX, patients have 100% coverage on all preventive treatments. Depending on which plan the patient chooses, they will also receive these benefits:
- 30%-40% off basic services
- 20%-30% off major services
- Orthodontics allowance
- 10%-20% off implants
- 10%-20% off cosmetic treatments
- 10%-20% off oral surgery
- Free whitening treatment
There is no annual maximum, no waiting period, no deductible, and no frequency limitation on diagnostic and restorative care.
Affordable Dental Care in Austin
More than making a buck, we care about the health and wellness of our patients. That’s why we offer affordable dentistry through our in-house dental plans. We believe that dental care is for everyone because everyone deserves to have a healthy, beautiful smile. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited the dentist, don’t wait any longer to get the care you need.
To learn more about our services, in-house dental plan, and our team, contact us today at (512) 346-4690 or message us online to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Ragsdale.
