I've been buying policies for two of us for a few years now, and the premiums work out to about the same as paying for two cleanings each per year (one of those with x-rays, our dentist xrays every other check up), maybe something additional like a filling for one of us. I did have a crown done this year and the insurance paid half so I made out a little better, but most years.....its approximately the same cost to pay the premiums and co=pay as it would be to just pay cash without insurance. My dentist only gives a 5% discount for cash same day, my mothers though gives a 15% discount for payment in full within 30 days for those who do not have insurance coverage.

I'm paying $92/ month (billed as $276 every three months) for dental for 2 adults who go to the dentist (and always have) twice a year. If you've never bought dental insurance outright, you should know that many of the polices don't pay as much (or for major work) the first year as they do the second consecutive year you've been paying premiums, or for the second year as they do the third. With several, you have to be a paying client for three years before you are eligible for maximum benefits.

It's kind of a toss up, I'm not convinced having the coverage is that beneficial, not a huge money saver.

Our dental for the two of us is $19.15 per pay, so just under $500 for the year.

We get cleaning & exam every six months, and we get x-rays and fillings (if any) covered. We also get a discount on other work done by our dentist (crowns, etc). It does not include endos or orthos.

We go like clockwork because it is paid for.
We might tend to put things off if we were doling out cash.

It may be that dental insurance is less like insurance (in a medical insurance or other catastrophic insurance sense) and more like just a service prepayment plan. Part of that is because so many dental procedures can so easily exceed plan payment limits. I've heard a few other dentists make a similar comment to what you were told.

It would seem that if you have enough procedures needing to be done that you could expect to get more dollars out in benefits than you pay for the coverage, you'd be ahead. Otherwise not. I don't think it's any more complicated than that.

I am lucky that DH's retirement pays for one and I pay thru my retirement for one, and even though he passed away, they still pay for mine--so far. But it does cover everything except floride for me. I have had two crowns but my cleanings are hard due to plaque build up. My mouth produces more than normal. For me it is worth it.

My dental is paid for through my retirement. I get my teeth cleaned twice a year and pay $30 each time. I feel lucky not to have to pay a penny for my medical and dental insurance for life.

We each pay less than $13 per month for dental insurance, and we each have a $50 per year deductible. The insurance will pay out up to $2,000 per year for each of us.

People are joining dental "plans" (not insurance) for a reasonable fee. Certain dentists agree to accept a lower fee for work done, some 50% less. Quite a selection to chose from. Then search for participating dentists in your area.

Thanks for all the input. If I had the options some of you have, I'd be puying it too.

We once had dental insurance with Cigna through DH's employer. The only dentists participating in our area were trained abroad, with offices in places I didn't feel safe. I went to two and was the only middle class American there. They seemed to treat mostly immigrants. I complained to DH's company. They refunded our premiums, and I never saw them offer Cigna Dental plans again.

My work offers Cigna - a low-cost HMO version and a higher PPO dental plan. The difference in quality is significant. My first year, I had the HMO as I haven't had too many dental issues but I couldn't find anyone who would take it except for a few who had terrible reviews for being scam artists and treating people for unnecessary procedures.

I paid the extra for the PPO this year and found many great quality dentists who take it. I have a $50 deductible, and it covers cleaning and fillings, but only 50% of things like crowns and root canals.

I have had 3 different dental plans over the last 15 yrs. The first was Cigna PPO, free cleanings (x-rays etc inc) and everything else 80% covered. When I left that job I Cobra'd that plan for only $13 a month LOL. My next plan was thru my DH and county govt I can't remember the carrier but was $50 co-pay on cleanings (x-ray etc) and decent coverage on everything else BUT alot was considered pre-existing and not covered. Our current plan Aetna is free cleanings (x-rays etc) everything else 80% covered w a $50 deductible and because it's Verizon Corp we pay very little for it. I just used it for the first time this year, this past Monday. Free cleaning and I need old childhood filling redone in 2 weeks. 1 will be filled regular, and 2 will be crowns done right there while I wait with a 3D porcelein printer & fired there, all will cost $1000. I am extremely happy! ~ liz

Dental insurance plans can vary greatly. Ours, supplied by my retired husband's former employer, pays 100% of the first several hundred $$$, then 80% of a few thousand $$$ after that. Most years, we don't use all the benefits we're allowed (exceptions would be back when DD was in braces, and those years where we've needed extensive dental things). Ours is a good plan, even our dental office comments on how good it is. We've been very happy with it, but it doesn't cost us anything, and we're getting back much more than the plan you describe. Still, if you generally spend more than 450 (and that's really only 2 cleanings) at the dentist annually, you'd be coming out ahead, right?