3 Dental Insurance Myths…Busted!

There are more dental insurance myths out there than you can possibly imagine. Dental insurance can get pretty complicated and confusing! Understanding how it all works can be difficult without a little help. It’s unfortunate when these misunderstandings and myths prevent patients from getting the care they need.

Myth #1 -You Need Dental Insurance to See A Dentist.

FALSE. Many patients in my practice have no dental insurance whatsoever. This group represents a large part of my practice. These patients understand three things that a lot of people without dental insurance haven’t yet fully understood:
1. Having routine exams and cleanings without dental insurance isn’t as expensive as you think it is.
2. Neglecting your teeth is more expensive long term than regularly taking care of them.
3. Dental insurance coverage status and the lack thereof has a tendency of changing from time to time in our lives as we move, change careers, etc., but our responsibility to take care of our bodies and health always remains.

Rolling Oaks Dental welcomes patients that do not have dental insurance.

Myth #2 -I Have to Go to a Dentist That’s In My Network.

FALSE. Of the patients in my practice that have dental insurance, the majority of them are “out of network”. Rolling Oaks Dental can file dental insurance benefits from any plan that allows you to select your own dentist. If selecting a dentist of your choosing is an option for your insurance, you can be seen at Rolling Oaks Dental. If you are unsure if this is an option with your plan, it is a pretty easy piece of information to find out and we would be glad to help you.

The medical insurance network world might be where this confusion stems from. The whole “in network” thing seems more meaningful when it comes to big medical bills, but it’s not terribly meaningful when it comes to dentistry and routine dental check ups. This is a massive source of confusion for most patients. You don’t have to be “in network” to see a particular dentist. The majority of patients in our practice are “out of network”, and this doesn’t prevent them from seeing us.

Myth #3 -Your Insurance Company Understands Your Dental Health Needs.

FALSE. Sometimes I’ll discuss treatment options with a patient, and they’ll respond by saying: “I’ll call my insurance company and see what they recommend,”. Remember, you dental insurance is from a company that provides you with a product, an insurance policy, but they aren’t licensed to give out dental care advice. They can tell you what your policy covers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best or only choice for you. Some patients say, “I want only what my insurance covers,”. Others say, “I want the best care possible, I don’t care what my insurance covers,”.  We gladly accommodate both types of patients at Rolling Oaks Dental. If you have questions about how your coverage on your particular policy works, my staff is highly trained to review those matters with you during your visit.

I hope I’ve dispelled these myths and I hope they never get in the way of you seeking the best dental care you can for you and your family. The existence of these myths prevents so many people from seeking preventative dental care.

Don’t let misunderstandings about dental insurance or lack thereof get in the way of getting the care you want and need! I invite you to come to our practice to get to know my wife and I and our awesome team! We would love to take care of you.

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