You need medical insurance, if only to protect against the
cost of an accident or illness so expensive that you could be ruined
financially. But do you really need dental insurance? It’s an
interesting question, because you can avoid the most likely causes and
expenses of dental problems, decay and gum disease, by brushing and
flossing your teeth diligently. But some teeth are more prone to
problems, and when they have a problem, the costs can mount quickly.
The Price Of Insurance
About 64 percent of Americans have dental insurance. Nearly all of them have coverage through work or a group plan like AARP, Medicaid, Tricare (for military families) and the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to Evelyn Ireland, executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans, in an email interview.
Most dental preferred provider organizations and regular
insurance (indemnity) plans have an average deductible of $50 and a
maximum yearly benefit of $1,000, Ireland says. Only 2 percent to 4
percent of Americans with dental insurance use up their yearly maximum
allowance.
