How A Good Discount Dental Plan
Can Keep You Smiling

Dental costs are often a low-priority for start-ups, especially considering all of the other things you need to pay for in your venture. But then comes the day of reckoning when you can't stand it anymore. After treatment, the pain of a toothache is replaced by the agony of the bill ... and there go your profits!

A good discount dental plan may be the answer. For about the cost of a checkup, you can lock in guaranteed rates of up to 60 percent on most services, which will usually more than pay for the plan cost the first time you have a problem. If you have two problems, you're ahead of the game.

Dentists like discount dental plans. That might seem counterintuitive, but it makes good business sense - less money for marketing, and you share in the savings. (Important: The care itself isn't discounted, only the price.)

Most basic services, such as exams, x-rays, cleanings, and fillings are provided at steep discounts (30-50 percent is common). More involved procedures may also be highly discounted, but even if the amount is only 10-20 percent - say for a crown or implant - the actual dollars you can save are considerable.

How Discount Dental Plans Work

Plan providers negotiate with thousands of dentists on your behalf to provide a comprehensive range of services at predetermined rates. When your appointment is completed, you simply pay the rate listed for the treatment(s) received.

All you have to do is show your membership card. As opposed to insurance, there are no forms to fill out, no deductibles, no dollar caps, no restrictions for pre-existing conditions, and no approval periods to endure before you get relief.

There are over 30 nation-wide plans to choose from. Membership prices range from about $80 a year for an individual to roughly $180 for an entire family. Most discount dental plan providers show comparison charts on their websites so that you can choose the plan that best suits your needs.

What to Look For

Coverage in your area. Reputable plan providers will show you a list of participating dentists in your area. The websites usually allow you to search by zip code. Very important: Spot-check by calling a few of the dentists listed to ensure that they really are participating.

Included services. Choose a plan that includes specialty procedures provided by oral surgeons, orthodontists, and so forth. One specialty that you might have trouble getting discounts for is prosthodontics (i.e., implants) unless you live near a highly-populated area. But keep in mind that many specialty procedures can be performed by a general dentist. If they are, you will still receive the discount rate.

Coverage start-time. Most plans allow you to begin treatment within a few days of activating your membership. Some even offer same-day discounts, but it's better to avoid them if you want to realize maximum savings. You know when you have a developing condition - don't wait until the last minute!

Reputation. Dentistry is a heavily-regulated industry. Your state insurance commissioner's office can tell you if a plan provider is fly-by-night or legitimate. So can any dentist listed on their rolls. Again, do your homework and make a few calls before joining.

This website does not endorse one discount dental plan over another. There are many good ones to choose from. It's a great way to save a lot of money and remove the risk of running your business without dental coverage when you need it.

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