{"id":5293,"date":"2021-01-27T11:08:58","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T19:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=5293"},"modified":"2025-05-05T18:29:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T18:29:51","slug":"dental-insurance-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/dental-insurance-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Insurance Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Above any other medical need, people are more likely to skip seeing the dentist because they can\u2019t afford it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it\u2019s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don\u2019t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it\u2019s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common\u2014if not more common\u2014as any other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventive dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups<\/a>) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you\u2019re just at a loss. Drs. Bargainier, and Zuffi, Goose Creek dentist explains more below about the current trends in dental insurance and what they mean for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forgoing Dental Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of all the reasons adults avoid the dentist, 40% say it\u2019s because of cost, followed closely by the 33%  who don\u2019t think they need dental care. You can see where this is going\u2014there\u2019s almost no reason someone would pay for a service they think is expensive and unnecessary.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people seek dental treatments without dental insurance to help cover it. In 2013, the numbers ranged from 12% of children to 61% of senior citizens. Insurance may seem like a luxury but when you need it, it becomes essential. If you can make any changes to your monthly budget to allow room for dental insurance, it might be one of the best ways you take care of yourself and your family. No one wants to be stuck with a cracked tooth, gum infection<\/a>, or jaw pain while also wondering how you\u2019re going to pay for treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children\u2019s Dental Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Government-mandated insurance through the Affordable Care Act does not include dental coverage, except in the case of children. This is for good reason\u2014children are vulnerable and they\u2019re growing at such a fast rate. Catching a health problem and treating it promptly is essential for a lifetime of health and wellness. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important that children develop good oral health habits early that they\u2019ll stick to the rest of their life. Search <\/span>HealthCare.Gov<\/span><\/a>, or talk with a caseworker if you have one, to learn about your options for enrolling children in free or discounted dental insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased PPOs & Decreasing Payments<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PPO plans (Preferred Provider Organization), which are more expensive, are becoming far and away more popular, making up 80% of all dental plans. But dental insurance plans are actually paying dentists slightly less per patient than they have in the past. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumerism<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With or without dental insurance, more people are shopping around for the best rate before making a dental appointment. Following the recession, people care more than ever about understanding what they are paying for when they buy any goods or services.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Plans Need to Stay Current<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that, over time, dental insurance is actually the best \u201cbang for your buck.\u201d To help patients get even more out of their dental coverage, some plans are offering a rollover of funds if you don\u2019t use all of your yearly benefits. Some plans allow for important preventative and diagnostic services without it going against yearly maximums.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexible Payment Plans<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your dentist wants you to be healthy and will do whatever we can to increase your access to good oral health care. If you\u2019re avoiding dental treatment because you don\u2019t have insurance and\/or you\u2019re afraid of the cost, talk honestly with your Goose Creek dentist. Dentists are humans, too, and we understand life circumstances especially in regards to health and finances. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some flexible payment options we can discuss together are:<\/span>
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