Below are a few alarming statistics about dental visits and insurance in the United States.
- In 2019, 37 million people did not have dental coverage
- In 2020, 47% of adults over age 65 did not have dental coverage
- In 2019, only 37% of adults visited the dentist
A surprising number of adults lack any form of dental coverage, which may be affecting the rate of dental visits overall. Without regular cleanings and examinations, a vicious cycle of suboptimal oral health begins, one that is furthered by this perceived inability to visit the dentist. This means that when the health condition of the mouth worsens, people are not going in to be seen for more serious procedures such as root canal treatment or extractions. This can lead to prolonged pain or discomfort and a decreased quality of life.
The Value of an In-House Membership Plan
Fortunately, the news is not all doom and gloom. Many dentists across the country are committed to ensuring that patients get the dental attention they deserve regardless of whether or not they carry insurance. For this reason, they are offering in-house membership plans for monthly or yearly fees that allow patients to receive many of the treatments and services they believed were not available to them due to their uninsured status. What’s more, these plans are often available to patients even if they do have dental coverage, as many employer-provided plans or benefits lack the degree of coverage patients need to achieve the necessary level of oral care.
Types of Plans
It is best to look for a dental office that offers multiple plan levels for varying needs. This way, patients can budget more effectively by focusing on the areas they know they need or that would otherwise be difficult to pursue. For example, they may select a pediatric plan for their children who need regular exams, X-rays and cleanings but are unlikely to need more advanced treatments such as scaling and root planning. Then, adults can enroll in either a more generalized plan that includes cleanings, exams, and varnish treatments – or a more involved periodontal plan if they are prone to gum disease that includes scaling, root planning and deep periodontal cleanings. It is important to note that patients would be wise to seek membership plans that do have contingency measures in place for unexpected incidents – such as emergency exams and X-rays. This way, they can cover all the bases of general tooth and mouth care while achieving peace of mind when it comes to the unexpected.
In-house membership plans are changing the way patients receive care by making sure their needs are met without making them jump through the complicated hoops of dental coverage – or even the requirement of having any coverage at all.
If you would like to learn more about in-house dental membership plans and how they could benefit you or your family, call Petersen Family Dentistry today at (720) 308-9798 or book an appointment online.
