What Makes Dental Insurance Different from Medical Insurance?

When you enroll in your company’s benefit package, you may wonder why you have to sign up for medical insurance and dental insurance separately. Why aren’t they both the same thing? After all, they’re both meant to help you pay for healthcare, aren’t they? While that’s true on a basic level, the fact is that dentists and general physicians care for you in different ways, and your insurance plans are structured to reflect that. Discover more about the truth behind the design of your dental and medical plans.

Why are Dental and Medical Insurance Separate?

For much of history, dentistry has been considered separate from the general medical field. Regular doctors never accepted dentistry as part of their practices, and as such separate dental offices were founded. And of course, dental schools were formed separate from medical schools. It’s no surprise, therefore, that this division also extended to insurance, with dental insurance as we know it starting about 100 years after medical insurance was already established.

How are Dental and Medical Insurance Different?

The key word that separates dental insurance from medical insurance is “prevention.” Medical insurance is mostly intended to help pay for the unexpected – sudden injuries and illnesses and the like. It’s meant to help lessen the burden of large medical expenses while you’re dealing with the fallout of a serious health issue. By contrast, dental insurance is geared towards stopping health problems before they begin.

While dental plans will offer some coverage for restorative services in the event of a dental emergency, they’ll typically be set up to offer the most coverage for regular preventive care in the form of checkups and cleanings. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis can mean the difference between preventing cavities and allowing them to turn into severe oral health problems. Dental insurance encourages you to seek preventive care so that you can avoid needing to pay for more expensive treatment.

Getting the Most Out of Dental Insurance

Just like medical insurance, dental insurance has a set maximum amount of coverage that the company is willing to provide for your care in a year’s time. However, you can be a bit more proactive in using your dental benefits by scheduling two dental checkups each year. This lets you use the money set aside for your insurance plan while also helping you maintain a healthy mouth.

Your dentist and the rest of their team can give you further tips for making the most out of your dental insurance plan. You can also call your insurance carrier to review the kind of coverage you’re entitled to for certain services. It’s important to fully understand as much about your dental insurance as possible – and how it’s distinct from your medical insurance – so that you’re in a position to save the maximum amount of dental dollars.

About the Author

Dr. Brad McConnell has spent over 40 years bringing comfortable dental care to Fort Worth. He is truly passionate about oral healthcare and believes everyone should be able to enjoy a healthy dazzling smile. As such, his practice, Harris Parkway Dental Care, is happy to accept a wide variety of dental insurance plans. To see if we accept your current insurance carrier, visit our website or call  (817) 423-2223.