No dental insurance? Discount plans can provide savings

WASHINGTON (AP) — No dental insurance? You're not alone. Roughly 1 in 4 Americans don't have dental coverage, according to industry figures.

Employers are by far the biggest provider of dental benefits in the U.S., accounting for nearly half of all enrollees, followed by the government's Medicaid plan for low-income people.

Researchers have shown that costs are a bigger obstacle to dental care in the U.S. than all other forms of health care.

Dental discount plans are a lesser-known option, used by just 5 percent of patients with private dental benefits, according to the latest survey figures from the National Association of Dental Plans.

Here's a look at how discount plans work and when they can make sense:

WHAT ARE DISCOUNT PLANS?

The plans aren't insurance. Instead they function like warehouse clubs, giving members access to discounted prices on various dental procedures, ranging from 20 to 60 percent. Discount plans are offered by a number of large health coverage providers, including Aetna, Humana and CVS Health.

The networks of dentists who participate can be smaller than insurance networks, limiting patient choice. And they won't cover the complete cost of preventive cleanings and X-rays like most insurance plans.

Still, discount plans can be a good option for patients who might otherwise skip check-ups altogether, says Dr. Dave Preble, senior vice president of the American Dental Association.

If you get patients to a dentist "and keep them coming back on a regular basis, it's been proven to keep them healthier," Preble says.

LIKELY CUSTOMERS?

Older Americans make up a large share of the market for discount dental plans. About 40 percent of enrollees in the plans are between ages 56 and 75, according to the Consumer Health Alliance, an industry group.

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