Full Coverage Dental Plans

Full coverage dental plans are insurance designed to cover all routine dental procedures. Policies may limit the number of cleanings allowed during a period, but virtually all other procedures are included in the basic plan. Many plans offer policy holders options as to the amount of coverage included in the policy.

Patients are urged to take advantage of all allowable cleanings to provide early detection of potential problems. Early detection can result in substantial savings. In addition to routine cleanings, coverage is usually extended to include the cost of x-rays, fillings and extractions.

Full Coverage Dental Plans - What You Need to Know

Full coverage dental plans should never be confused with other dental plans that offer only a discounted rate from participating providers. With full coverage dental plans, patients can select their own dentist and rely on the dental insurance to part a portion of the bill. Full coverage plans put the patient in charge of his or her own treatment and eliminates unpleasant surprises when it is time to pay the bill.

It is important to know that "full coverage" does not mean that all charges are covered by the insurance. These plans are designed to pay a portion of dental expenses. Patients know upfront what will be covered by the plan. Any amounts not covered by the insurance will be paid by the patient. These uncovered expenses are paid by patients in the form of deductibles or co-payments.

Full Coverage Dental Plans - Other Options

In addition to routine dental care, patients may elect to include other coverage in their dental policies. Some insurance plans may be expanded to include endodontic and orthodontic coverage. Endodontic services include root canals while braces are covered under orthodontic services. Plans that cover these costlier services may be more expensive initially, but often patients find that these plans are actually the most economical. Without dental insurance, a single root canal can cost the patient hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Proper dental health is critical to a person's overall health. As the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That is certainly the case in dental health. Regular routine dental checkups can detect potential problems early before they become serious. Naturally, more serious problems result in most expensive treatment. As most regular routine services are included in full coverage dental plans, patients can realize significant savings when they treat problem areas early.