Get the Facts – What you need to know about dental insurance
Posted on November 6, 2020 in Insurance
You don’t have to look very far to get advice from “experts” whether it’s on your social media channels, your favorite internet sites or a conversation with a neighbor at your local coffee shop. We see headlines, memes, and Tweets, but how often do we investigate to separate facts from fiction? While it’s possible that your high school sweetheart’s, aunt’s friend from book club is an expert in dental insurance, when it comes to your health it’s important to know the facts.
Dental health and overall health are intertwined. We know that regular dental exams are a cornerstone for maintaining oral health along with brushing, flossing and a healthy lifestyle. In addition, dental appointments can be a critical opportunity for dentists to detect the early warning signs of more than 120 diseases including diabetes, oral cancer, kidney disease and more.
Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions or myths about dental insurance that can cause people to minimize the value of their coverage. Here are a few examples of the most common myths.
MYTH #1: I’m going to retire soon so Medicare will cover my dental care.
FACT: Traditional Medicare covers many of your health care needs, but unfortunately, traditional Medicare does not cover dental care. As we age, it’s more important than ever to maintain our oral health. From being able to chew nutritious foods to being confident in our communications, a healthy smile is a lifelong benefit. Individual plans from Delta Dental of Iowa provide individuals and families with options for all levels of care. And, because 93% of Iowa dentists are in the Delta Dental network, chances are good you can continue with your current dental provider. Learn more about dental plans for retirees here.
MYTH #2: Small businesses can’t afford dental insurance for their employees.
FACT: Dental insurance is one of the most affordable and the most appreciated benefits you can provide to your employees. Healthy employees are more productive and are less likely to miss work due to dental emergencies. Delta Dental owns our network and our experienced team makes managing your benefits easy. Our small business plans range from our employee choice plans that allows employees to choose coverage that meets their needs and they pay 100% of the costs or you can choose our employer choice plans in which one plan is offered to all employees and you decide the level of employer-contribution. Learn more about Delta Dental of Iowa small business plans here.
MYTH #3: Dental insurance costs a fortune and covers nothing.
FACT: Dental insurance is not free, that’s true, but the value of carrying dental insurance has a good return on investment. In addition to the confidence that comes with a healthy smile, avoiding the pain and stress of an emergency dental issue can give you peace of mind. The average cost of a dental crown is more than $1,100 based on the Delta Dental Care Cost Estimator. That’s a big chunk of money that you may not have allocated in your budget. There are plans from Delta Dental of Iowa that cover 100% of routine care and cleanings and cuts the cost of big items, as well as plans that give you more options if you anticipate major dental work that needs completed. Learn more about dental plans for individuals and families here.
With all of the information available at our fingertips, it’s easy to become convinced that the myths we hear are true. Our health, however, is something we shouldn’t trust to secondhand information. More than 1.2 million Iowans trust Delta Dental to provide dental insurance for themselves, their families and their employees. So while your friend’s aunt’s book club buddy might have a great review about a popular new restaurant or pass along a funny cat video, when it comes to your dental health, trust the experts at Delta Dental of Iowa to get the facts.