For people who have found traditional dental insurance too expensive, many have turned to what is commonly referred to as a discount dental card. Instead of buying dental coverage, they buy this card and have instant access to a list of participating dentists who will offer every cardholder dental treatment at reduced rates. There are advantages and disadvantages of holding the card, advantages over traditional insurance and shortcomings. Below is a list of the pros and cons of a dental card.
1) Advantages. The best thing about these cards is that unlike traditional dental insurance, there is no waiting period. Insurance plans require those applying for coverage to wait 12 months until pre-existing conditions are covered. The cards work right away. Another big advantage is that the membership fees to get the card are much lower than regular insurance premiums. Finally, the discounts offered with the card are important. Depending on the company you receive the card from, the discounts range from 40% to 70%.
2) Cons. With traditional dental coverage, you only have to pay a small co-payment amount at the time of the visit. With the card, you must pay the entire balance owed to you at the time of the visit. Plus, even if the discounts are big, expensive procedures will always leave you with a big bill. For example, dentures that cost $ 2,000 will end up costing you $ 1,000 if the card offers a 50% discount. While the reduction is significant, the cost to you is also significant.