[Squirrel1983]

So, I was stupid and never really took care of my teeth growing up. I'm paying for it now.

We never had dental insurance growing up, so we just didn't go because we couldn't afford it. Then 2 years ago, I was teaching, so I had dental insurance through the school board. I went to my assigned dentist and he swore up and down every tooth needed a root canal and crown. I refused to believe this and my parents paid for me to get a second opinion. The 2nd opinion said they all needed fillings. So, I saved up and went to him for the front teeth fillings during the summer of 2009. He started drilling and then stopped and swore they all needed root canals and crowns. Argh! So, of course I did not have the funds for this and I couldn't go back to the other dentist because I no longer had that insurance, so I was in a bind.

So, I did the worse thing...NOTHING.

Then my aunt told me about a dental plan she had that only cost $11 a month. I looked into it, but as I had no job at the time I could not afford it at that time. For Christmas 2009, my dad and stepmom paid for me to be covered for a year as a Christmas present. Then I got a job, so I was unable to get into the dentist while they were open. I finally went 2 weeks ago for a diagnostic exam. Another dentist saying just fillings on most of my teeth, but not all of them. I'd been down that road before, so I thought "here we go again".

Well, I went for my first fillings. The front 6, since they had the worse decay and because you can see them. And it really was just fillings. Because they are front teeth, the dental plan I had covered toothcolored fillings. And now to the question in the subject of my post. All I had to pay was a $5 co-pay for the office visit. The fillings were completely covered. How can a dental plan that only costs $11 per month afford to completely cover the cost of fillings?

And on my treatment plan that they printed out for my with my co-pays and everything, all my fillings on the back teeth will be covered as well. Except one back-tooth they want to put a white filling in because it is in my smile-line. That one will only cost me $30. How the heck is that possible? There's no benefit limit either, so I can't max it out.

I'm glad that all I'll have to pay is the office visit copay everytime as I am unemployed again. I'm shocked that my cost is so low. I wish I could find health insurance like that. Anyone know of any?

For anyone in Florida (and I think California and Texas) who are in need of dental insurance and wonder what the heck I have, it's called SafeGuard.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello squirrel,

The insurance cover which covers dental only is usually from a dental association or something like that which covers dental only. It is actually much cheaper to cover dental than most people believe.

Most people see a dentist 2 times a year each 6 months. so $11 per month is $133

$133 per year of say a min of 700,000 members is $931,000,000.00 they can afford it especially if it is run by a dental association which dentists pay to belong to...

I should get into dental insurance...

[ECHOES]

I can't thank you enough for posting this!!
I am so in need of a dentist and this is a great DMO (Dental Maintenance Organization) from the looks of it.

Thank you!!