What dental insurance do you recommend?
It's the question we hear most every fall. Before we answer it, here's a real story.
"Is this really insurance?"
Every month, he pays $140 for his dental policy. That's $1,680 a year to be covered.
Then he needed a crown and a buildup. The total fee was about $1,800. That's what insurance is for, right?
His plan had an annual maximum of $1,000. So the insurance company paid its thousand, and he handed the front desk $800 to cover the rest.
Here's his year. He gave the insurance company $1,680 to get $1,000 back. He spent $2,480 on an $1,800 procedure.
Is this really insurance, or just terrible math disguised as a benefit?
Dentistry is famously shy about real costs. We'd rather tell you real stories, with real numbers, so you can decide for yourself.
And travel to almost any big city and look up. The tallest, most impressive buildings tend to belong to insurance companies. That's not an accident. The business works when members pay in more than they get back.
If someone else pays for it, take it.
If your employer or a former employer covers your dental insurance, that's a good deal, and we'll gladly file your claims.
If you'd be paying the premiums yourself, we don't recommend it. For most people, you pay more and receive less. That's not a knock on you for having a plan. It's a game designed by someone else, and we'd rather help you see the numbers clearly.
The same crown on the Sound Dental Plan
Put the same $1,800 of treatment on our Sound Dental Plan. The 15% discount saves money on the crown, and on top of that, his exams, cleanings and x-rays for the year come with the membership. Think of them as a bonus.
| The insurance he bought | Sound Dental Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid for the year up front | $1,680 premiums | $579 membership |
| Paid for the crown and buildup | $800 | $1,530 (15% off) |
| Total for the year | $2,480 | about $2,110 |
| Exams, cleanings and x-rays | Depends on the plan | Included |
| Annual maximum | $1,000 | None |
| Waiting periods | Common | None |
The plan can't be combined with insurance. It's a membership with a standing discount, not insurance.
Run your own numbers
- Yearly cost: multiply the monthly premium by 12.
- Annual maximum: the most the plan will pay in a year, no matter what you need. Compare it to the yearly cost.
- Waiting periods: many self-purchased plans won't pay for bigger treatment, like crowns, for months.
- Who pays the premium: if it's your employer, the math is very different, and usually in your favor.
Not sure how your options add up? Call or text (360) 293-8421. Our team is happy to walk through the numbers with you.
Common questions
What dental insurance do you recommend?
If your employer or a former employer pays for your dental insurance, take it. Coverage someone else pays for is a good deal, and we'll file your claims. If you'd be paying the premiums yourself, we don't recommend buying dental insurance. For most people, you pay more and receive less.
How do I compare dental plans during open enrollment?
Multiply the monthly premium by 12, then compare it to the plan's annual maximum: the most the plan will pay in a year, no matter what you need. If the premiums come close to the maximum, the plan can't pay you back much more than you put in. Check for waiting periods on bigger treatment, too.
Can I combine the Sound Dental Plan with my insurance?
No. The Sound Dental Plan can't be combined with dental insurance. That's a rule of the insurance plans, not ours. If you have coverage your employer pays for, use it. If you'd be buying a plan yourself, compare it with the Sound Dental Plan and choose one.
What if I don't have dental insurance?
Look at the Sound Dental Plan: $579 a year includes your exams, cleanings and x-rays, and takes 15% off everything else, with no annual maximum and no waiting periods.