Do I Need Insurance to Visit the Dentist?

A dental benefit plan or “dental insurance” is not required to see a dentist.

As a patient, you should carefully review the cost of a dental benefit plan before purchase by comparing the average annual cost of a household’s dental bills with the proposed 12 monthly premium payments for “dental insurance”. It may make more financial sense to pay out-of-pocket for dental care than to pay a monthly premium.

We at Lakeshore Dental help patients make their oral health a priority with treatment plans and payment options: cash, check, debit card, personal credit card, and care credit are available.

To further answer the common question about whether needing dental insurance, we would like to share some information from the WDA (Wisconsin Dental Association) related to this topic:

Many think if they don’t have dental insurance, they can’t visit the dentist. Those who plan accordingly can realize long-term savings that routine dental exams and hygiene appointments provide when problems are detected early. Personal household budgeting is an effective way to save for dental care. Just like people budget for groceries, TV and phone service, setting aside a little money each month into a designated account for dental care allows them to get the care they need – without insurance.

Over a 12-month period in Wisconsin, the cost of two routine hygiene appointments, dental exams and a set of digital images (necessary for comprehensive and accurate dental diagnosis) averages $26 per month (2013 Schenck Dental Fee Survey). This is less per month than the average cellphone bill of $63 per month (2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Preventive care is an affordable choice. Dental exams, digital images and prophylaxis along with good homecare habits can help prevent costly dental needs.

If you have any questions or concerns surrounding insurance, please do not hesitate to ask us!