Just seems it is common practice that Dental insurance companies to really screw over customers who pay into the plan. The "amount allowed" on most procedures are always low balled by the insurance companies, and they add the deductible in to further cause the customer to pay more to the dentist when all is said and done.

Perfect example of such company is Dominion National, formerly Dominion USA, formerly DentaQuest. Why do they keep changing the name of their company?

Everytime I look at dental ins. I always conclude its not worth it. Assuming you just need cleanings and xrays (1x per year), and don't get cavities often it doesn't make sense.

Braces, with braces its worth it. Even without braces. Our premiums are about the cost of cleanings which are free with the insurance. After that we pay about 2/3 normal price with the insurance so its definitely worth it. Braces cut the cost in half.

with braces its worth it. Wrote:
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> Braces, with braces its worth it. Even without
> braces. Our premiums are about the cost of
> cleanings which are free with the insurance.
> After that we pay about 2/3 normal price with the
> insurance so its definitely worth it. Braces cut
> the cost in half.

But something else I forgot to mention you are almost forced to go in-network. The Dentists can be less than qualified that way.

Usually the dental insurance companies won't even give you the cost of a procedure so you can negotiate with the dentist on a fair charge. And why shouldn't we the patient be able to negotiate, rather than have the dentist gouge us by charging us 3 times the cost allowable by our plan.

good thread

anyone have POSITIVE experiences with any plans?

I am currently looking myself

just the basic - check-up xrays and a cavity here or there

BillSp Wrote:
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> with braces its worth it. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Braces, with braces its worth it. Even without
> > braces. Our premiums are about the cost of
> > cleanings which are free with the insurance.
> > After that we pay about 2/3 normal price with
> the
> > insurance so its definitely worth it. Braces
> cut
> > the cost in half.
>
> But something else I forgot to mention you are
> almost forced to go in-network. The Dentists can
> be less than qualified that way.

I asked my primary dentist what plans they believed were best and they participated in. Easy choice for me it was MetLife. When kids needed braces just shopped the ones that took the insurance. Dental fees are still a huge rip off but the insurance is helpful in cutting our costs by about a third after the expense of the coverage.

Some dental offices have their in-house discount plan. You essentially pay the cost of two cleanings and examinations ($360) upfront and then get a 25-30 percent discount on treatments. The problem is that they don't list their prices.