| There are a few important differences between | | | | much of an issue because you'd have to pay for |
| owning a discount dental plan and buying a dental | | | | insurance too, but you must be aware that |
| insurance policy. These are things that you | | | | discount dental plans are not free. Your best deal |
| absolutely must know before you make a buying | | | | when joining a plan like this is to pay annually. |
| decision because, if you don't, there's a good | | | | Some plans offer monthly payments but if you |
| chance that you may waste your money. Let's | | | | add the total of the 12 monthly payments up |
| take a look at the pro's and con's of owning a | | | | you'll find that you would save quite a bit by just |
| discount dental plan. | | | | paying it off in the beginning. |
| Pro's | | | | #2. You must pay for the discounted service at |
| #1. Discount dental plans offer discounts on | | | | the time of your visit. This means that even |
| pre-existing conditions. This is something that | | | | though you're getting a discount on the work, |
| you'd have to wait a full year for if you buy | | | | you're not going to be able to finance it. If the |
| insurance. This means that if you need to see a | | | | regular cost for the work is $1000.00 and you |
| dentist immediately for an existing problem such | | | | receive a 50% discount then you would owe the |
| as caries (cavities), braces, crowns, root canal, etc | | | | dentist $500.00 and that must be paid |
| that you'll receive a good sized discount on the | | | | immediately. Once again, this shouldn't be a big |
| procedure. | | | | deal. After all, if you didn't have the plan you'd |
| #2. Discount plan providers are the same quality | | | | either not have the work done because you |
| dentists and specialists that you would normally | | | | couldn't afford it or have to pay the entire |
| see under any other circumstances. These | | | | $1000.00. |
| dentists have chosen to accept a reduced fee for | | | | #3. Availability of participating providers. This can |
| service in order to become a part of a network | | | | be a problem if you live far away from a city as |
| of plan providers. This allows them great buying | | | | there aren't as many providers in rural areas. You |
| power and also gives them referral business that | | | | should always find a dentist close to you that |
| they may not have normally received. | | | | accepts discount dental plans before you join. |
| #3. You can find a dentist that will accept your | | | | Discount dental plans can be a very good bargain |
| discount dental card in most any city in America. | | | | for most people, as long as they're in the right |
| Most of these plans have thousands of | | | | situation and have easy access to a participating |
| participating dental providers within their network. | | | | provider. Each person will have to determine for |
| Con's | | | | themselves if owning a discount dental plan is right |
| #1. You must pay a fee to join. This shouldn't be | | | | for them. |