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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Summary

You can obtain Dental Insurance no matter what your health history is.

Dental insurance is recommended for a person with a history of a life changing health condition. Whether you should purchase it depends on a variety of factors.

First and foremost is cost.  

If you are considering an individual dental policy, compare policy costs against projected need.  Survivorship A to Z provides a chart to help with this determination.

If an employer provides you with dental insurance for no cost, then by all means take it. 

Employer Provided Dental Insurance

If an employer provides you with dental insurance for no cost, then by all means take it. It is important that you maintain dental health as much as possible. The health of your mouth and teeth is closely tied to your health in general. 

If your employer asks you to pay all or a portion of the premium either directly or as part of a cafeteria plan, compare your premium cost to the probable usage. See below.


Individual Dental Insurance

Review an individual dental policy carefully to see if it is worthwhile for you. Keep in mind that dental problems don't suddenly occur like medical problems can. People usually know if they need dental work or not, so companies that sell dental insurance are careful to design their product so that they will make a profit. Like other insurance, their goal is for you to pay more in premiums than you use in claims.

Before you buy dental coverage, consider these factors:

  • What is the current condition of your teeth?
    • Do you have lots of problems that need to be taken care of?
    • Would they be covered?
  • Historically, do you have lots of dental problems or are you one of those people who rarely or never has a cavity or other dental problems?
  • Is your health condition likely to impact your dental health?
  • What dentists can you use under the policy? If choice of dentists is limited:
    • Is your dentist one of the people you can use?
    • Do you care if you have to use a new dentist?
  • Will it save you money to have dental insurance? The following chart will help in estimating your future expenditures for dental care.

Dental Cost Comparison Chart

The following chart works best for healthy mouths. If you have a lot of dental work to be done and the Dental plan will cover all or most of it, or you have young children who may need dental work because of sports or other activities, then the insurance is likely worthwhile and there is no need to take even the few moments to complete this chart.

If the premiums for dental are about the same as the amount you can expect to pay for regular dental maintenance, then dental insurance is worth purchasing since other dental problems could develop. If the premium is substantially higher than paying for maintenance yourself, then you need to determine whether your health is such that the potential for additional dental expenses make the higher cost of the insurance worthwhile.

Until this chart is programmed, print this page and follow the instructions: (Donations to program this chart and expand our content are welcome)

 

1.

Teeth cleanings per year ($______ x 2 or sometimes 4)

  

 

 

2.

X-rays per year (assume one full mouth per year)

$

 

 

3.

Other expected dental expenses per year

$

 

 

4.

Total out-of-pocket dental costs without insurance

$

5.

Total premiums per year (monthly cost x 12)

 $

 

6.

Out-of-pocket cost of cleanings per year with insurance

 $

 

7.

Out-of-pocket cost of X-Rays per year with insurance

 $

 

8.

Other out-of-pocket costs per year with insurance

 $

 

9.

Total # 5+6+7+8=   

 $

 

10.

Difference between #4 and #9

If #10 is a negative number, then dental insurance may not be of much financial benefit to you. If it is a positive number, the larger it is, the more benefit you will receive from having dental insurance. NOTE: Keep in mind that dental insurance also covers unexpected dental expenses.

 $