Today, a lot of people above the age of 65 are opting for senior dental insurance for their dental expenditures. As you age, your teeth tend to soften and become more prone to inflammation or breakage. Most people as they age, suffer from gum problems, broken teeth, loosened implants, etc. Also, certain diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, etc. can affect dental health. This only means that most seniors are in need of better oral care than their younger counterparts.

An article by National Association of Dental Plans stated that around 46.3 million seniors in the country do not have a senior dental insurance plan. The article also stated that such adults were more prone to the use of dentures and would possibly not receive treatment for gum diseases.

Why opt for dental insurance for seniors?

According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, out of all the health care costs, 27% of the cost is related to dental health. Due to this reason, most people delay receiving treatment for oral health decline. However, dental insurance is usually not included in most medical insurance policies, and therefore you will have to buy a stand-alone dental plan for seniors to cover most of the dental care costs. Also, it is important to note that the best senior dental plans will require you to wait for an expensive treatment. Therefore, having dental insurance is beneficial for seniors.

What are the different types of dental plans?

There are two types of plans that are applicable to seniors. They are as follows:

Managed-care plans

This plan helps negotiate fees with certain providers. These in-network providers charge you only a part of the cost and even file all the necessary paperwork for you. In case you get a procedure performed by out-of-network providers, the plan will still have you covered but at a lesser amount.

Indemnity plans

This allows you to consult a dentist of your choice and often includes a larger group of providers. However, a major drawback with this plan is that a patient will have to pay 100% of the cost upfront and later file for a reimbursement for the covered treatment.

Dental policies

Most affordable dental insurances for seniors cover the following routine procedures that can be performed by any dentist:

X-rays

Many dentists recommend taking X-rays of your teeth. A dental plan covers the cost of X-rays completely, or the person may have to make a copayment. In case of other X-rays of the mouth, it may require to have a coinsurance or deductible or make a copayment.

Fillings and extractions

Fillings which involve the removal of decay and then filling with a bonding material and extractions such as pulling a tooth out of your mouth usually require a coinsurance, deductible, or copayment in most dental insurance for seniors.

Regular cleanings and exams

Some of the best dental plans seniors entitle you to a free cleaning and detailed teeth examination twice a year.

Repairs

Procedures such as crowns, root canals, bridges, and deep cleanings may be partially covered in a standard individual dental insurance plan. In case they do cover the expenses, it may require a coinsurance, copayment, or deductibles. However, you will have to look for dental plans senior citizens that will help you get coverage for most of these expensive treatments.

Popular dental insurance providers

Here’s a list of popular insurance companies that provide affordable dental plans for seniors:

1Dental

• Plans start at $99 per year. Avail discounted rates on dental procedures
• 100,000+ Dental Access Points Nationwide
• A+ Grade with the BBB
• Unlimited Use
• Pre-existing conditions included in plan savings
• Discount dental plan (not insurance)

Dental Access

• Allows you to use the membership as often as you wish
• No deductibles
• No claim filings and paperwork
• Get instant discounts
• Unlimited access to dental discounts on Aetna Dental Access network
• Get discounts from over 158,000 Aetna Dental access network dental locations
• Discounts on vision care including eyewear

Careington

• Save 20%-60% on dental procedures such as cleaning, dentures, braces, crowns, etc.
• Unlimited use
• Includes over 67,000 participating dentists

 EHealth

• Highly competitive prices compared to most major providers
• Includes dental indemnity plan
• Has more than 200 licensed agents
• Online account management
• 24/7 live chat support

Delta Dental

• Has a network of over 145,000 dentists and 292,000 office locations
• Serves 60 million (1/3 of Americans)
• Has processed 93 million dental claims in 2012 with an accuracy rate of 99.7%

It’s important to consider whether you are looking for coverage for preventive care or major procedures. However, it has been observed that most of the senior dental insurance plans work as a cost-effective solution in many cases.