Here are three things to know to better understand your insurance plan and keep your dental costs as low as possible.
Ratrice Jackson, then a fourth-year student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., drills out cavities as part of a free oral health day on campus in 2018. Russell Anthony made eight trips to the dentist last year.
The 65-year-old retiree in Nashville, Tenn., hopes to go less often in 2026, but he’s already made a few visits. “I had a root canal just last week that was, like, $500,” he said. “The week before that, I had a crown that cost me several hundred dollars. And as we speak, I have a broken tooth, and I have to go and see the dentist soon.” In all, Anthony — uncle of HealthQ radio host Cara Anthony — expects to pay about $2,000 for dental care this year, even though he has dental insurance. “Trying to weigh the cost of when to go to get dental care and paying for it, versus the other needs that I have, is something that’s very important,” Russell Anthony said.in the U.S. had dental insurance in 2021. But that coverage does not necessarily protect against large bills. In fact, 1 in 4 adults with dental insurance reported costs as a barrier to care, according to aHere are three things to know to better understand your insurance plan and keep your dental costs as low as possible:Dental plans typically cover routine care in full but pay only a portion of additional work. Benefits vary, but many plans follow the “100/80/50” rule, covering 100% of preventive care like cleanings and exams, 80% of basic procedures like fillings and root canals, and 50% of other major procedures. Plus, dental plans often have a maximum annual payout, usually between $1,000 and $2,000. Patients are responsible for any costs above that. For example, if your plan maxes out at $1,500 and you need $4,000 of dental treatments, you will be on the hook for the difference of $2,500.It might feel uncomfortable to talk about finances directly with a dentist, but it’s helpful to be up-front about what you can afford. Many dentist offices offer financial options to help patients manage the cost of care, including pretreatment estimates and payment plans. If you get an estimate that seems especially high, talk through the items and consider getting a second opinion. It never hurts to ask the office for a discount. If you need a lower-cost alternative, consider looking into dental schools, which often offer discounted care, or federal community health centers, which use sliding scales based on a patient’s income. You can find a search tool online for the latter, atSarah Olim, a general dentist in Katy, Texas, encourages her patients to come in for visits every six months. “The best thing that you can do to mitigate the cost of going to the dentist is make sure that you are going regularly and trying to take care of things early,” she said.If you’re struggling to lose weight, could chilling your carbs help? ‘The status quo isn’t acceptable’: How a San Diego lawmaker aims to help the hardest-to-reach people with mental illnessOlim welcomes patients no matter how long it’s been since their last visit. But she cautioned that patients who wait a few years between visits may find their appointments are more expensive and more uncomfortable. The reason? Dental problems often don’t resolve on their own. For example, a small cavity that needs a quick filling might cost $200. If left untreated, it could turn into a larger issue requiring a root canal and crown — and cost thousands. Your dentist will also encourage you to follow the best preventive maintenance: brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Olim tells her patients to use a timer or listen to a favorite song to make sure they brush long enough.Federal lawmakers have tried to increase children’s access to dental insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, dental care is considered, so health insurance plans on the individual marketplace must offer dental coverage for those 18 or younger. State Medicaid programs are also Farmer, Anthony and Ruppelt are reporters with Nashville Public Radio. Emily Siner at Nashville Public Radio contributed to this report, a collaboration between Nashville Public Radio and KFF Health News. The latter is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF, an independent source of health policy research. ‘Character of our community is diminished.’ Borrego Springs group asks for short-term rental regulations‘We don’t have enough food’: Providers brace for thousands of San Diegans to lose SNAP benefits Its schools are falling apart, and voters won’t pass a bond. Could a little-used tactic help this district?A little-known Navy-Marine battle group from San Diego is making a beeline for the Middle EastSantee fire that prompted evacuations at shopping center charred 5 acres
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