Insurance is a touchy subject for many people. Since oral health is something that affects your daily life, it’s easy to understand why emotions get involved. However, it should also be understandable why your dental care should be a top priority. It’s far too often that we hear how dental insurance is affecting the quality of dental care people seek. So, let’s take a step back and get a quick reminder about what dental insurance’s true purpose is.
Dental insurance has been around for over 50 years and inflation has increased the cost of most medicine and dentistry at a rate of 5-10% per year. Despite inflation and the increased cost of dental care and treatment, the average individual payout from a dental insurance company has remained relatively constant over the years. Overall, costs have been managed by insurance companies by raising their premiums but maintaining the cost of reimbursements. That means that your average dental insurance payout amount has remained the same and managed to become valued at approximately one tenth of what it was worth to begin with in the 1970s. This leads to frustration with patients and dentists because insurance coverage has begun to determine people’s decision making and the fate of their dental health.
However, this shouldn’t be the case. Proper dental hygiene and care is primary to preventing the development of poor oral health which leads to even more expensive treatment plans.
With proper dental hygiene, individualized care, and strategic financial planning to stage necessary treatment within your budget, a lifetime of good oral health is well within your reach. Just like buying a home, proper dental health is an investment that pays you back many times over. A new car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot, while a healthy smile brings you confidence and allows you to reap the benefits daily.
Take a look at your financial resources and your possible dental insurance coverage so we can help you be strategic with your dental treatment plan. We are here to help you look at the big picture and design the fate of your dental health in a positive way. A way that makes sense for your budget, your schedule, and ultimately makes you smile. That’s what we do with our patients every single day.
