You wouldn’t drive a car without car insurance. You can’t purchase a home without home insurance. Why wouldn’t you protect your oral and overall health with dental insurance? People with dental benefits are more likely to go to the dentist, receive preventive care, and experience greater overall health. 

Why have dental insurance?

Ninety-two percent of Americans believe oral health is very or extremely important to their overall health, according to a research survey by Delta Dental.  However, only about 70 percent of Americans have dental insurance. More surprisingly, only half of those with coverage visited the dentist in the past 12 months.

Dental insurance helps maintain good oral health, and it can also save money over time. Learn more about how preventive dental care, good oral health, and dental insurance go together.

Dental care is more affordable

While it’s important to brush and floss, regular visits to the dentist are also necessary. Because dental insurance focuses on prevention, services like exams, cleanings, and x-rays are usually fully covered. Preventive exams help reduce the risk of more serious and costly problems down the line.

Dental insurance also helps reduce out-of-pocket costs for many procedures by reducing the amount that you pay. Without dental insurance, you would be responsible for the full cost of treatment.

Delta Dental helps you save even more because you’re not at risk of balance billing, which means the dentist can’t bill you for the difference between the dentist’s charge and the agreed-upon charge for our plans. 

With 96% of South Dakota dentists participating in our network – and more than 150,000 participating dentist nationwide - we make it easy to find the dentist that works best for you.

Dental insurance saves money

Annual dental care costs can add up without dental insurance. See the example below of a family of four, with each person visiting the dentist twice for preventive care and getting a cavity filled:

*Plan premium and dental service fees are for illustrative purposes only. Premium rates depend on your plan. ** Check your specific plan details, as preventive coverage may vary.

Dental insurance helps you get the care you need

People with dental insurance are more likely to get oral health care compared to those without it. People who develop complicated oral health problems are more likely to skip necessary treatments due to cost if they don’t have dental insurance. Untreated and often preventable oral diseases result in an estimated 2 million emergency room visits nationwide each year.

Dental insurance helps you avoid future dental problems

Regular preventive checkups help your dentist detect problems early. This can help you avoid costly and complex procedures, like crowns and root canals, down the road.

It’s good for your overall health

Dental care is good for your smile, and it has a positive effect on your overall health. Studies show that oral health conditions like gum disease are linked with many chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and pregnancy complications.

During an oral exam, your dentist can detect signs of serious medical conditions, including oral cancer. This can lead to earlier, less costly, and even life-saving treatment.

When oral diseases go untreated, they can lead to problems with eating, speaking, learning, and productivity for children and adults.

It’s good for your well-being

Your oral health affects your day-to-day sense of well-being. It’s common for people to report they felt embarrassed or uncomfortable about their appearance because of a dental issue.

A smile is important for your self-esteem and confidence, and the simple act of smiling has many benefits. Evidence shows smiling has a positive effect on overall happiness and may even boost your immunity.

A smile affects every aspect of your life in a positive way. It will also impact the world around you in a positive way. A healthy smile is a gift that keeps on giving, to you, your body, and those around you.

Why dental insurance? It helps protect both your oral and overall health in addition to saving money in the long run.

*Updated June 2023