Buy it yourself dental insurance?

**khaski** · 09-24-2010, 06:51 PM

Dental insurance is not an option for us through hubby's work, but with 2 adult, and 3 kids, we sure could use it to help set off the cost of regular cleanings and the occasional filling.

Anyone buy their dental insurance privately, outside of work? Is it worth it?

**Palooka** · 09-25-2010, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by khaski

Dental insurance is not an option for us through hubby's work, but with 2 adult, and 3 kids, we sure could use it to help set off the cost of regular cleanings and the occasional filling.

Anyone buy their dental insurance privately, outside of work? Is it worth it?

Ugh, dental insurance is tricky. Even if you have it through your employer does not mean that it's cheaper. A lot of times it will cover cleanings but only 50% of the major dental work that we depend on it the most for.

You could pay a couple hundred a month for insurance and still owe 800 towards a crown, after insurance paid. Not to mention a root canal...

And here the sad thing is most of the Dentist don't want to work with a monthly payment and want it in full. Or if they are nice, they will charge an interest rate on monthly payments.

So maybe someone else can shed some good news of light.

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-25-2010, 06:59 AM

I don't' know but I need to find out as well.
Dh's employer was bought out and they are changing everything. The dental is going from 10 a months to 60...

**Saule** · 09-29-2010, 12:23 PM

We have dental insurance, like most it covers only 50% of major work, but that still helps. My husband goes to a large dental practice and they have their own saving plan - discounts off certain types of work for a small annual fee. It's worth calling around larger practices to see if they have anything similar.

The other thing to check for is whether you have a dental college anywhere in your area. The students are supervised. It sometimes takes a long time to get fillings and routine work - plan ahead for routine things-, but typically they are interested in more complex work, like crowns and periodontal work, etc., for their advanced students. I used to work at a medical university and the clinic at the dental college was used by employees because it was good.

Oh, and Delta Dental insurance was not a happy experience - one of his employers only offered that, and the dentist hated it, we hated it.

**lisaflex** · 09-29-2010, 05:54 PM

i am an ins broker and do not recomend buying it elsewise other than through your employer. you really need to read the fine print on them. some do not even cover $25 of a yrly cleaning! some you have to reach a certain amt (say, $1000) before they pay anything, and, still that can be only say, 10%.

i would suggest you look for dental savings plans in your area and read all fine print.

good luck

**lisaflex** · 09-29-2010, 05:55 PM

also, your dental office should have a pymnt plan to offer you. if you are lower income, they may do sliding fee scale. do ask. there are also dental offices which offer financing through an outside company.

**shoiji** · 09-29-2010, 07:58 PM

I am able to go to a clinic to have dental work done. Luckily right now it is just cleanings and the occasional cavity to fill. The prices are affordable and I believe based on my income. I would also recommend a university with a dental program. There is one in this state however it is to far to get to for me.

Try asking around your area. I have also heard of dentist offices giving a payment plan or sliding scale.

**frugalfranny** · 09-30-2010, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by khaski

Anyone buy their dental insurance privately, outside of work? Is it worth it?

I would be interested in this too. Currently don't have coverage so I go to Mexico..........drive down and still save money.

**Palooka** · 09-30-2010, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I would be interested in this too. Currently don't have coverage so I go to Mexico..........drive down and still save money.

For real?? I want details!!

**Saule** · 09-30-2010, 09:08 PM

Dentists in Mexico that offer clean, modern Mexican dentistry at 75% less.
Dental Work In Mexico

I think AARP had something on this too. My sister is a nurse and she would routinely go to Mexico for certain prescriptions that she could get there. She's go a a real pharmacy, and check the dosages. The drugs were made by the same companies that make them here.

**frugalfranny** · 10-01-2010, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

For real?? I want details!!

What sort of details? I think half of this town goes down there! So getting referrals was no problem. I also put an 'ad' on CL in Yuma and a number of people answered and told me who they went to.

and yes, drugs are tons cheaper down there.........the last time I didn't bring any home.........but got some for friends.

If it is major dental work, and you don't have ins., who the heck can afford to go to someone in USA????

I drive down, stay in Yuma.......and go to Algodones. I take a cooler of food.........so eat a good breakfast in rest. and usually eat out of cooler most of the rest of the time. (a meal or two of fast food)

**Palooka** · 10-01-2010, 01:30 AM

That's a pretty far drive though from where you are, isn't it? I've heard of many people going there for those things, just not sure how it worked.

I can't afford major dental work with insurance!!!

**frugalfranny** · 10-01-2010, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

That's a pretty far drive though from where you are, isn't it? I've heard of many people going there for those things, just not sure how it worked.

I can't afford major dental work with insurance!!!

Any major work is a killer. I need to go back but have been watching to see if they are having any problems with crime. (a friend 'winters' down there each year) They will safe guard that town as they have THOUSANDS of dollars coming in. Lots of cops with guns but nothing major.

The drive is about 21 hours. I drive the first 7 to Boise and stay with a cousin. Sometimes one more night out on the road, depending on when I get away from Boise. My car gets 'decent' mileage and I still save money.

There are ads on our CL for 'carpooling' with someone wanting to go down and split expenses but haven't done that.......don't think I would........unless I knew the person.........for AWHILE!!

That WHOLE TOWN is nothing but Dr's.........eye dr's and dentists!!

**Palooka** · 10-01-2010, 01:55 AM

so do you just pay by credit card? Say a root canal is a thousand and a crown is 800 here. How much would you pay there? And if I'm driving to Mexico, I would stay a little longer for a nice vacation and do lots of shopping and sip fruity strong drinks on the beach.

**frugalfranny** · 10-01-2010, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

so do you just pay by credit card?

Nope.....no credit cards accepted. Cash or check......paid in full!

I wouldn't write (or even take) a check......pay cash. I ALWAYS wear a money belt!

that town is not exactly a 'vacation type' town.......and don't think I would want to vacation in Mexico right now. But always do some shopping..........have a serious supply of leather purses. And, of course, always come home with vanilla (great for gifts) and tequila!! (great for me!!)