What is a Dental Discount Plan?

When it comes to paying for dental care, dental insurance isn't your only option. An alternative is a dental discount plan, which is a membership programs that offers reduced prices at participating dental providers.

You pay a membership fee to enroll and can get work done at any dentist office that's part of the plan. Dental discount plans can be a good choice if you don't have dental insurance, need extensive dental work, or require procedures that your insurance plan doesn't cover.

Here's a detailed look at how dental discount plans work and why they might be a good choice, depending on your and your family's needs. 

Introduction to dental discount plans 

Dental discount plans are membership programs that can save you money on dental care. You pay a flat monthly or annual fee to join and can access dental savings at participating providers. Typical dental work discounts through these plans range from 10% to 60%.1

With a dental discount plan, you'll pay your dentist directly — there are no deductibles, claims, or reimbursements.² Dental insurance plans, by contrast, often have deductibles and copays for office visits. They require you (or your employer) to pay monthly premiums and typically reimburse your dental provider, after which you need to cover remaining costs.

For instance, MetLife offers a dental discount plan that can be a good dental savings option for individuals, couples, and families. With MetLife's dental discount plan, you can visit any participating dentist across the U.S. Once you become a member, you can start accessing discounted dental services right away.

Dental discount plans can be an affordable dental care solution for anyone who doesn't have traditional dental insurance or is looking for a simple and transparent way to manage dental costs. For example, dental discount plans are often a good fit for part-time workers and retirees who don't have access to an employer-sponsored insurance plan. They may also be good for budget-conscious individuals looking to maximize savings on their healthcare.

Are you a MetLife Discount Dental Insurance plan member? Find out about what’s covered in your plan, and what you’ll pay for services that keep your teeth and mouth healthy by logging in at MyBenefits.

Benefits of dental discount plans 

Dental discount plans come with a variety of benefits, including:

• Affordability: You'll pay a flat monthly or annual fee to join a dental discount plan. For example, MetLife offers plans starting at around $143 per year for individuals and $273 per year for families.
• Accessibility: Dental discount plans often let you access a wide network of participating providers in locations across the country.
• Coverage for a range of dental procedures: Along with unlocking discounts for cleanings, fillings, and other common procedures, dental discount plans may provide savings for orthodontics, cosmetic work, dental implants, or other elective procedures that a traditional insurance plan may not cover.
• No deductibles or copays: Discount plans don't ask you to hit a deductible or make copays for office visits.
• Simple and direct payment process: You'll pay for your procedures directly with the dentist office, rather than having to submit a claim and await reimbursement.

Enrolling in a dental discount plan can make it easier to access preventive care and regular dental services. This is crucial to your overall health, as oral health issues have been linked to various ailments, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and pancreatic cancer.³

The savings of a dental discount plan can be significant, too. Consider how much you could save on some of these common dental services, assuming a discount of 10% to 60% per procedure. (The cost with no discount is based on average charges in the Philadelphia area, in the 19134 zip code, based on data from MetLife.)

As you can see, the savings can quickly outweigh the annual membership fees.

How dental discount plans work 

Enrolling in a dental savings plan is easy. For example, here's how MetLife's enrollment process works.

• Fill out an online application: Click "Sign Up" on MetLife's Discount Dental Program page to start receiving discounts on dental care.
• Choose your plan: You can choose whether you'd like to enroll as an individual, individual plus one, or family, and select monthly or annual billing. You’ll also be asked if you'd like your membership to start on the first of the current month or the next.
• Provide your personal details: Here's where you'll enter your name, address, phone number, and email.
• Enter your payment details: Your final step is to provide payment via credit card, debit card, or bank or electronic draft.

While other providers will have different processes, applications are often straightforward. You may also have the option of enrolling over the phone.

With MetLife, you'll receive your membership kit in the mail within 7 to 10 business days and by email in 2 to 3 business days

To find participating providers, if you’re a MetLife Discount Dental Plan member, you can do a search using MetLife's Provider Search. Other dental discount plan companies often provide an online directory, too, but you may
also wish to call dentist offices directly to confirm their participation in the plan you choose.

What does the process of using your discount dental plan look like? It’s different than if you had dental insurance. Here’s a look at how to use the MetLife Discount Dental Program:

• Step 1: Have your membership card with you so you can present it to the provider. You must present your membership card at the time of service to receive a discount.
• Step 2: To locate and verify participating providers in your area, do a search using MetLife's Provider Search. When calling to schedule an appointment, refer to your membership card for identification information.
• Step 3: Pay the provider the entire discounted fee at the time the service is provided.

How you use different dental discount plans once you are enrolled may vary, but most discount plan companies provide an online directory. You could also call dentist offices directly to confirm their participation in the plan you choose. With a dental discount plan, you can typically see what services cost before you head to the dentist. This way, you can prepare your budget and won't run into surprise expenses. 

Is MetLife’s PPO, HMO, TakeAlong or other dental insurance plan right for you and your family? Compare the coverage and costs.

Comparing dental discount plans to PPO and DHMO plans 

As you explore dental savings options, you may come across PPO and DHMO plans alongside dental discount options. PPO and DHMO plans are traditional dental insurance options with monthly premiums and other coverage rules. Here's a closer look at each one.

• PPO: This plan stands for Preferred Provider Organization. It often comes with a deductible, as well as reimbursement limits for each service and coverage year. With a PPO, you don't need a referral for specialty care and can visit in-network or out-of-network dentists.
• DHMO: This plan, which stands for Dental Health Maintenance Organization, has no deductibles or annual limits. You'll have to choose an in-network primary dentist to receive benefits.
• Dental discount plans: Dental discount plans are not insurance, so they don't involve deductibles, copays, or primary providers. You'll pay your dentist directly at a discounted rate and can often access lower prices for a variety of services, including preventive care, dental treatments, and cosmetic procedures. 

PPO and DHMO plans may be preferable if you need extensive dental work, want predictable insurance coverage, or have an employer who can cover or share costs. However, a dental discount plan can be better for people with diverse needs who don't have employer-sponsored insurance coverage. 

Who can benefit from dental discount plans 

Dental discount plans can be a good fit for individuals and families looking for an affordable way to take care of their teeth. Here are some groups that can benefit the most.

• Part-time workers, gig workers, and freelancers: If this is you, you may not have access to an employer-sponsored dental insurance plan. A dental discount plan is an easy way to find savings on dental care without having to pay for an insurance plan on your own.
• Retirees: If you're retired, you may no longer have dental care coverage that you had from a prior employer. Dental discount plans can be a cost-effective way to maintain your oral health.
• People with unique coverage needs: Insurance doesn't always cover orthodontics, cosmetic procedures, or other dental services. If you have needs that your insurance won't cover, a dental discount plan might help you save. 
  

Misconceptions about dental discount plans 

There are some common misconceptions around dental discount plans and how they work. Some myths include:

• Dental discount plans are the same as dental insurance
• You can get a discount at any dentist office
• You'll have to submit claims to get your discount
• There's a limited number of discounts available
• Dental discount plans only cover preventive care

The reality is that dental discount plans are not the same as insurance. The fees are generally much lower, and there are no deductibles, copays, claims, or reimbursements.

Instead, dental discount plans offer savings at dental providers. Not every dentist will offer discounted services — you'll have to get care at a participating provider. You'll pay your dentist directly; there's no claims or reimbursement process.

There's also no limit to the number of discounts available, so you don't have to worry about them running out. Plus, you may find savings for a wide range of services, including root canals, fillings, crowns, cosmetic work, and orthodontics, along with routine cleanings and other preventive care.

Clearing up these misconceptions is key for making informed dental care decisions that work for both your health and your budget.

Finding the right dental discount plan

When it comes to finding the right dental discount plan, shop around and compare options to find a plan that best meets your needs. Some factors to consider include:

• Provider networks: Check out which dentists participate in the plan to make sure you have options located nearby. If you already have a favorite dentist, check to see if they participate in the plan.
• Dental service fees: Review dental service fees to see how much you could save, particularly if there are any specific treatments you need now or anticipate needing in the future.
• Plan fees: Compare fees to find a plan that offers the coverage you need without breaking the bank.

Think about your personal and family dental care needs and whether they'd be best met with a traditional insurance plan, if available, or a dental savings plan. It's also worth reading reviews of dental discount plan providers from a trusted site like the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, or TrustPilot. Checking out ratings and customer reviews can help guide your decision.

Is a dental discount plan right for you? 

Dental discount plans are a solid alternative to traditional dental insurance for many people, especially those who don't have access to traditional dental insurance. There's no waiting around for claims to process — you can simply enroll, pay a membership fee, and get savings on dental care right away.

If you’re interested in dental discount plans, the next step is to do some research. Check out trusted websites, compare plans, and see which dentists participate in each network. Taking these steps can help you find a dental coverage plan that keeps your smile healthy without breaking the bank.