Why is Dental Insurance Separate From Medical Insurance? (2024)

It can be frustrating to pay out of pocket for expensive dental procedures when you already have excellent medical insurance. Why is dental insurance separate? There are several reasons related to the practical nature of health versus dental insurance.

First, dental insurance is specific to dental carriers, which usually differ from medical providers contracted for your primary medical coverage. For that reason, dental insurance is considered supplemental. Read on to understand why dental insurance is separate and how you can secure reliable, low-cost coverage.

Reasons Dental Coverage Isn’t Included in Your Medical Insurance

You will need supplemental dental coverage to protect your finances and make sure your dental needs are covered. Here's an overview of why primary medical insurance doesn't include dental coverage.

Dental and Medical Are Separate Fields

The most obvious reason dental insurance is separate from medical insurance is that medicine and dentistry are two separate fields. Each field has a different network of professionals and unique types of coverage and needs.

This has a historical precedent, as barbers performed tooth extractions until the 18th century, not doctors. With the creation of dental schools in the middle of the 19th century, dentistry rose in prominence as a distinct profession, separate from the medical field. In addition to separate training, dentists usually operate from clinics separate from other medical professions.

Dental Insurance Is Specific to Dental Service Providers

Both dental and medical insurance typically have a network of professionals. Insurance companies have built relationships with providers over the years. The providers understand that the insurance will cover the services they provide, and in turn, the insurance company can pass on better savings to you.

Using one of these in-network professionals may help you get a lower copay or other benefits. Because dental insurance companies are specific to dental service providers, it's obvious that a network of medical professionals would not be able to provide dental coverage.

Insurance Companies Consider Dental Care a Separate Category of Healthcare

Related to the logic above, insurance companies view dental and medical care as separate services. This can benefit you because dental coverage is more limited; even the most expensive dental procedures are less costly than many in-hospital procedures.

This difference is reflected in monthly premiums. The average cost of comprehensive dental insurance is $47 a month. In contrast, the average health insurance premiums in 2023 were $702 monthly for individual coverage and $1,997 monthly for family coverage. The limited additional coverage to access excellent dental care is minimal compared to those costs.

Why Should You Still Get Dental Insurance

Getting dental insurance, despite its separation from medical insurance, can prevent huge, unexpected dental expenses. It makes it easier to budget and can help ensure you get excellent care. Here is what you can expect by securing dental insurance.

Coverage for Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings

If you get comprehensive coverage that includes preventative care, routine dental exams and cleaning will be included. Without insurance, a dental checkup with routine cleaning costs between $200 and $500, depending on the services included. Comprehensive dental insurance covers these costs, although you might have a copay or deductible.

Savings on Restorative Procedures

Restorative procedures are an area where dental insurance can lead to big savings. Composite or amalgam fillings cost an average of $50 to $250, and gold fillings range from $250 to $4,500. Crowns and root canals are even more costly. Dental crowns cost $500 to $2,000 per tooth, and root canals run from $500 to $1,500.

If you need treatment for multiple teeth, an uninsured dental bill could easily surpass $5,000. While you'll typically have a copay or deductible, you'll pay significantly less with insurance.

Emergency Dental Treatment Coverage

Another major benefit of dental insurance is in emergencies. An unexpected $500 dental procedure can create a deficit in an otherwise balanced budget. Most dental insurance covers these emergency treatments minus any applicable copays or deductibles. Insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing how much you'll need to pay without worrying about dental bills that could end up in the thousands.

Lower Out-Of-Pocket Costs for Dental Services

As all of the examples above show, dental insurance leads to lower out-of-pocket costs. The average annual cost of dental insurance is $564. In some areas, that's only about $64 more than a single annual checkup with X-rays and cleaning. Fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures can increase costs to the thousands.

While dental insurance typically has a set annual maximum, for most people, it's more than enough to cover regular dental care. If you expect more significant dental surgeries, you can consider dental insurance without copays or choose a higher annual maximum.

Get the Best Dental and Medical Insurance from Benzinga’s Top Providers

Find some of the best dental and medical insurance providers from Benzinga's trusted partners. Remember to compare total costs, copays, deductibles and annual limits to get the best available deals.

Should You Get Dental Insurance?

If you don't already have a dental insurance plan through your employer, getting a dental insurance plan is a smart idea for nearly everyone. Even if you only expect to get basic preventative care, you can select a plan to help you save. With a more comprehensive plan, you'll gain peace of mind in knowing that if you need major dental surgery or restorative care, your out-of-pocket costs should be minimal. Ready to get started? Find the best full-coverage dental insurance plans or the best individual dental insurance.

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