fbpx
BOOK APPOINTMENT

Alternatives to Dental Health Plans

Alternatives to Dental Health Plans

The Vitality Dental Plan

There are many benefits to a bright, charismatic smile that go well beyond simple dental health benefits. A new smile can do wonders for a person’s appearance, giving them the self-confidence to take steps in their life that were previously not thought of as possible.

Whether you’re seeking sleek, invisible braces to straighten your smile, you’re whitening your teeth in order to have the perfect wedding photos, or you’d simply like to fill in a gap from a missing tooth, there are many reasons to seek out cosmetic dental treatment that goes beyond the reaches of oral-health-related dental work.

Why Dental Insurance Doesn’t Cut It

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, dental insurance will rarely provide you with the financial coverage you need. Whether you receive your insurance for free through your employer, or you purchase private dental insurance on your own, it’s unlikely that teeth whitening, veneers, or any other cosmetic procedures will be discounted through your insurance. Dental insurance is meant only to cover routine or necessary procedures, so optional procedures are simply not covered.

In many ways, “insurance” is a misnomer. In reality, dental insurance gives you a discount on dental services up to a certain amount, and then after you’ve surpassed your annual limit on spending, you’re on your own. If you were to undergo thousands of dollars of treatment, your insurance would only get you so far.

No matter what type of procedure you undergo, it’s best to check with your insurance provider ahead of time to make sure that you are sufficiently covered. If you’re seeking cosmetic dental work and your insurance doesn’t cover it, what are the best ways to save money?

Here are the dos and don’ts of affording cosmetic dental treatment.

Don’t: Skip Out on Regular Care

First and foremost, the best way to save money on dental care of any kind is to maintain proper dental hygiene. By brushing your teeth after every meal, flossing once per day, and using an oral rinse, you’ll go a long way to set yourself up for dental success.

You can also take preventative measures such as attending regular cleaning sessions and annual or semi-annual checkups in order to actively safeguard against gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay.

In the long run, maintaining a healthy smile and gums will prevent more serious issues that require root canals or removing teeth fixable only by expensive implants.

Don’t: Rely on Credit Cards

Credit cards are a risky way to pay for dental treatment. Whether you’re paying with a standard credit card, or a card specifically designed for healthcare or dental care purposes, you should avoid racking up risky debt.

Interest payments end up being more expensive than most people predict especially if you find yourself suddenly unable to make monthly payments. You may also run the risk ruining your credit score. Even if the limit on your credit card is low, using up the majority of your available credit can hurt your credit rating. It’s best to avoid using credit to pay for dental treatment if possible.

Don’t: Default to Discount Dental Treatment

When it comes to dental treatment, it’s certainly the case that you get what you pay for. Avoid bargain dental offices, and be suspicious of great deals. If there’s a huge discount available, it’s likely because the quality of care simply isn’t there. In today’s Internet age, it’s easy to find a dentist in West Sussex online to find the best-reviewed dental offices in your area.

If you’re seeking cutting-edge, top-of-the-line procedures from industry leaders, such as the highly qualified dental professionals at Vitality Dental in Pulborough, West Sussex, you should expect to pay for the quality of service you’re receiving. Truly great dental work is long-lasting and will be well worth the cost compared to shoddy, discount service that requires replacement in only a few years.

Do: Ask About Payment Plans

Many dental surgeries offer payment plans that offer a better alternative than credit. At Vitality Dental, we offer interest-free credit for up to 12 months for any plans over £2500. We also offer a 5% discount for full payment in advance. Before undergoing treatment, seek out an office with a payment plan that fits your unique needs.

Do: Trust Membership Plans like the VitalityPlan

The VitalityPlan provided by Vitality Dental is a popular and highly recommended alternative to pricey dental insurance plans, especially when it comes to cosmetic dental work. While dental insurance generally won’t even touch the costs of cosmetic dental work, the VitalityPlan provides a significant discount on all treatment fees at Vitality Dental.

The VitalityPlan is a bespoke membership scheme that was relaunched in 2016 to give our patients the tremendous financial savings they deserve.

So how much does it cost, and how does it work? The plan comes in at three affordable rates:

  • £13.50 per month for adults age 18 years and older (or 21 and over if enrolled in full-time education)
  • £13.00 per month for adults age 13 to 17
  • £6.50 per month for kids age 12 and younger

The plan comes with a wide range of check-up treatments, including one fully-comprehensive dental health check for patients of all ages, a personalised assessment of dental hygiene needs, and special dental hygiene lessons for kids. With all of these services included in the plan, the plan instantly pays for itself.

And the biggest benefit of the VitalityPlan? Members of the plan earn a 15% discount on all treatments offered by Vitality Dental (with the exception of sedation, Invisalign and implant-related services). What does this mean for you? That’s 15% off cosmetic or optional dental treatments that typically aren’t covered by dental insurance, including:

Do: Understand Your Options

No matter what treatment or payment option you choose, be sure to know your options ahead of time. Know the advantages and disadvantages to each payment method, and choose the option that best aligns with your unique needs.

For answers to all of your questions about cosmetic dental services and how to pay for them, contact Vitality Dental today.

This article has been approved by

Dr. Arvin Mirzadeh BDS MJDF RCS (Eng)

Dental Surgeon and Practice Principal

GDC 83757