According to CareQuest Institute’s State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, around 27% of adults in the United States go without dental insurance. Often, people without insurance end up skipping dental checkups and cleanings and put off fixing serious dental problems to avoid the costs. Unfortunately, this often leads to more problems and expenses down the line.
Dental membership plans offer an alternative solution for those who have no dental insurance—and for some patients, they might save a lot of money (and teeth). However, whether these plans are the best option depends on your dental health and what other options may be available to you. Gaining a better understanding of how these plans work can help you make a more informed decision and ensure your teeth get the care they need.
How Do Dental Membership Plans Work?
Dental membership plans act as a kind of subscription between a patient and a specific dental office. The patient pays a flat yearly or monthly fee for discounts on dental care. These plans differ from office to office, but generally include routine services like exams, cleanings, and X-rays for no extra charge, and discounted dental procedures, like fillings, root canals, and crowns.
On average, dental membership plans cost around $300-$500 per year per person, but they are often cheaper for kids. And unlike insurance, there are no deductibles, waiting periods, or maximum limits involved.
How a Dentist Membership Plan Compares to Insurance
Dental insurance plans vary, but generally cover preventive exams, X-rays, and cleaning at no cost or with a small copay. Like dentist membership plans, patients end up paying a percentage of the cost of other procedures. Typically, insurance will pay for a higher percentage of these costs, but only up to a certain yearly maximum and often only if deductibles are met first. If the patient just enrolled in the plan, there might also be a waiting period.
Monthly premiums for dental insurance depend on the plan and often whether it is through an employer. However, the monthly costs can be similar to dental membership plans, falling somewhere between $15 and $50 per month. The percentage of dental procedure costs that are covered by memberships and insurance varies. If trying to decide between the two, it’s best to check with the dental office or insurance carrier to compare how much would be covered for each. Insurance often covers more of the total cost, but only until the yearly cap is met. This means getting a cavity or two filled might be cheaper with insurance, but this may not be the case when you need more extensive dental work.
One of the biggest differences between dental insurance and dental membership plans is the freedom of choosing where to go. Dental membership plans only apply to a single dental practice, while insurance offers a network of dental providers to choose from. This can be particularly useful if you want a second opinion on a major procedure. When choosing a dental membership plan, it’s best to make sure you are comfortable with that dentist and the types of treatment they provide.
Here’s a quick recap of the differences:
| Dental Membership Plan | Dental Insurance | |
| Monthly/yearly cost | $15-$50 | $15-$50 |
| Preventive/routine care | Included | Usually included (often with copay) |
| Deductible/yearly cap | None | Yes, amount varies by plan |
| Location options | Limited to one practice | Has many options |
Are There Other Options?
Another option is a dental savings plan (or dental discount plan). These are similar to dental membership plans, with a flat monthly or yearly fee and a discount on procedures. Preventive care may be fully covered or offered at a discount. The main difference is that dental savings plans are offered through third parties and allow the patient to go to multiple dentists in a network. For example, some dentists do not perform root canals. A membership likely won’t cover you if you need to see another provider for one, but a dental savings plan will, as long as the provider is in their network.Many dentists offer payment plans to spread out the cost of expensive care, even without insurance or membership discounts. Sometimes, these financing options are directly through the dental office, but some may suggest lines of credit through companies like CareCredit, Sunbit, or Cherry. These companies offer financing for medical or dental expenses. Each option has different rules for credit checks, approvals, and interest structures. None of these lower the cost of dental care, but they do provide a way to pay over time.
When Does it Make Sense to Get a Dental Membership Plan?
People who have good dental coverage through an employer or those who are unlikely to need more than routine dental care may not benefit from dentist membership plans. They make the most sense for people who:
- Have no dental insurance options through employers, such as those who are self-employed, freelancers, part-time workers, those who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, or retirees (since Medicare Parts A and B do not cover routine dental).
- Have insurance plans with very low yearly limits, but need a lot of dental work.
- People who need immediate or emergency dental work, but have a waiting period for insurance benefits.
Talk to a Dentist About Your Options
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options for covering dental costs, and the math to figure out the best deal over time can get complicated quickly. Still, it’s never worth it to let your dental health suffer. Routine care and procedures only get more expensive when you neglect your dental health.
Luckily, most dental offices have staff dedicated to helping you figure out your options and applying whatever benefits you have. If you’re concerned about dental costs and don’t have insurance, contact a dentist to discuss your options and find out what kind of plans they offer. Find a dentist near you with our dentist finder tool.