The insurance plans I've looked at all have high co-pays and yearly limitations. But the dental discount plans aren't like that. Participating dentists just knock 15 or 20% off their standard fees (or so it seems).
So I'm guessing that the discount method is the way to go. But there are many discount plans out there, offered by many different companies.
Which plans are best? Which should be avoided? Any FReeper advice would be much appreciated.
For many years my dental plan was to chew on the other side.
Once I got dental “insurance” I found that it really is just a dental discount. It is not insurance at all. My premiums are $700 or so a year plus a $50 deductible, and the max “benefit” is $1000. Use it or lose it.
In my mind, insurance is a safeguard against an occasional high-cost event. Dental insurance is not like that. It is more like paying up front for expenses you may or may not need. The “insurance” company doesn’t really pay out much. You do.
Clinics at several places across the border are excellent, and the costs are about 50 percent (or slightly less) than what I get quoted just south of Dallas.
Example: I needed two root canals and crowns. Called my local dentist for a quote. It came back $3,850. The cost at the clinic I went to in Juarez did the work in 3 days (2 nights in a hotel) for $1600. With hotel and air fare I was still 50 percent below the local cost.
I visited again for another root canal and position of two titanium posts where teeth were missing. I return the middle of May (2 nights) for impressions, creation of the porcelein dental implant tops and the crown, and then home.
Again, the cost is less than half what two dental implants alone would cost me here.
The clinic sends a van either to the airport or to your hotel and ferries you to the clinic, then back across the border to whatever destination you choose -- hotel, or airport.
The clinic has about nine dentists on staff, they speak English, and all the latest technological doodads are deployed (e.g. low-power digital xrays).
The plan below is supposed to eliminate over 90% of periodontal insults in 7 to 9 days. It also whitens teeth very well, and gently.
DMSO is a liquid sold online and in vitamin stores, for about $10-15 per pint (I think). The extra-strength 35% peroxide appears to be about $24 per quart, which will last many years.
DMSO/Peroxide treatment for Periodontal infection Repeat the following three times daily (after meals, is preferable):
1. BRUSH teeth gently with SOFT toothbrush for 15 seconds (light bleeding is OK).
2. RINSE the mouth with clean tap or distilled water.
3. SWISH with H202 and DMSO● Use a mixture of:4. RINSE mouth with clear water for about 5 seconds
○ 8 parts regular H202 (3.5% common drugstore variety)
○ 1 part extra-strength H202 (35%)
○ 1 part DMSO (full strength of the purest available form, usually 99.9% pure)
● Swish about one tablespoon in the mouth for approximately 30 seconds--or until the amount of foam-forming is too great--then spit the entire solution out.
5. SWISH with H202 and DMSO● Same mix as before. Again, swish 1 tbsp for 30 seconds and spit it out.6. Wait 5 minutes, then RINSE mouth with clear water for about 5 seconds
Also, vitamin K2 is said to heal cavities.
If you think you *need* a dental plan....start w/ your dentist [assuming you have one you can trust] ...ask what plans s/he accepts.
My out-of-pocket dental plan is like having *pet insurance*...they only pay a portion of that the dentist charges. So, do your homework. Read the fine print.
Good luck.
if you have a Medical University in your area..look for a dental clinic...
I go to the Dental Clinic at UPMC (Pittsburgh,PA.) and they are great and very reasonably priced, in fact I’ve had the best dental care ever in my 70+ years. and they even give you an interest FREE LOAN that is reasonable and affordable also.
I’ve had great care, no rush and very kind thoughtful ‘future Dentist’s..had three gum surgeries that were all successful and reasonable, compared to dentist in the area..in fact I had a dentist who refused me treatment because I did not have insurance..
and all the student’s work is supervised and checked by licensed Dentists