The costs of professional oral care can be daunting for people with out dental insurance. This is especially true for families or individuals who may have extra needs, due to significant decay or gum disease. To ensure access to affordable dental care for all patients, some dentists offer membership plans. Below, find out more about these plans and what they entail.  

What Is a Dental Membership?

For people who don’t have the option or choose not to carry dental insurance, dental memberships are an attractive alternative. These plans are often billed at monthly or annual intervals and provide a predetermined set of benefits that are unique to the dental office providing the services. For most membership plans, the dentist will provide two cleanings, X-rays as needed, standard and emergency exams, and a discount on any required treatments for the annual membership.

What Are the Advantages?

For people that do not have dental insurance the biggest advantage that a dental membership plan offers is cost savings.  The membership fee is less than the cost of the preventative services (cleanings, exams, x-rays) that you receive as a member. Additionally, you would save even more if you needed any additional dental treatment due to the provided fee reduction for non-preventative services that the membership includes.  The regular preventative care that you receive with your membership can also save time and money by preventing dental problems from occurring.  The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true for dental health. 

Unlike dental insurance, membership plans usually have no deductibles, waiting periods, or yearly maximums.  Another advantage is that memberships cut dental insurance out of the equation, so that you and your dentist can determine the treatment that is best for you without a third party interfering. For patients wanting cosmetic dentistry, dental insurance will not cover these procedure, but most membership plans do not have these restrictions. 

Moreover, many dentist offices’ provide flexible plans to meet the specific needs of different types of patients.  For example, some offices offer individual plans for adults and children, as well as combined family plans that offer further discounts. On the other hand, patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease would benefit from a special periodontal plan that includes more frequent cleanings.  They’ll save in the long run, especially considering how preventive care can help minimize or prevent the need for further treatments.

If you’re looking for a dentist’s office with affordable, comprehensive membership plans, turn to Keen Dental Care. With membership plans starting at just $30 per month, this Columbia, MO general dentist office is committed to providing quality oral care services to patients of all ages. If you would like more details about the Keen Dental Club or would like to request an appointment, you can reach us online or by calling (573) 875-5336.