Find the right dental insurance for you. Insurance company offers traditional fee-for-service, dental PPO and prepaid program options for individuals and families looking for dental insurance.

Find the right dental insurance for you. Insurance company offers traditional fee-for-service, dental PPO and prepaid program options for individuals and families looking for dental insurance.
Zip Code:   
Find the right dental insurance for you. Insurance company offers traditional fee-for-service, dental PPO and prepaid program options for individuals and families looking for dental insurance.

 
NY DENTAL INSURANCE
INDIVIDUAL DENTAL INSURANCE NEW YORK
NEW YORK FAMILY DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS

Individual, Family Dental Insurance Plan Quotes

New York Dental Insurance Plans,
 New York Dental Plans,
 New York Discount Dental Plans, New York Dentists

Buy DentalSave, Delta Dental, Aetna, Careington, Multiflex

Click here to find Dental Plans in New York or a Dentist
Select a city in New York to Find a Dentist and Dental Plans.
 Our New York Dentist Referral and Dentist Search
provides you with the best New York Dental Plans.

Traditional dental insurance is often perceived as the best way to pay for dental expenses. And while dental insurance is an excellent option when sponsored by your employer, it may not be very cost effective when you are paying for it.

Most individual dental insurance plans require you to satisfy waiting periods and deductibles before having major and sometimes even minor restorative work done. Discount dental plans help make maintaining good oral health a lot more affordable. And, with no waiting periods or complicated coverage procedures, dental discount plans are about as simple as you can get.

How do discount dental plans work? As we become aware about our oral health, there has been a demand for affordable dental care. Discount dental plans are the newest option for those without coverage. These dental discount plans are much cheaper than traditional dental insurance, and also offer almost equal coverage for all dental work, even cosmetic procedures not covered by standard indemnity dental plans.

The catch is that dental discount plans are not really insurance at all. They work more like club memberships, where the cost of membership (your "premium") earns a steep discount on any club service (dental work) you buy. The discount normally applies to all dental office services performed by an approved "plan" dentist, but no procedure is covered completely.

What are the ins and outs of discount dental plans? When it comes to dental discount plans, the good news is afford ability, breadth of services, and immediate coverage. The bad news is greater financial risk and responsibility on your part.

Although the monthly cost of most discount dental plans is very low compared to the price of a traditional dental insurance or indemnity insurance policy, there's more allover financial risk with a dental discount plan. No care is totally covered, so an expensive procedure will mean a big out-of-pocket expense, even with the dental plan. And even when undergoing a low-cost service (like cleaning), you'll still be expected to pick up a part of the cost.

However, on the plus side, discount dental plans are effective immediately - so are many procedures you need now will be covered as soon as you buy the dental discount plan. Traditional indemnity and/or insurance dental plans usually impose a waiting period of between 6 and 18 months for any major procedure. The last "pro" is that all good dental discount plans should come with a money-back guarantee.

Indemnity Plans

This type of dental plan pays the dental office (dentist) on a traditional fee-for-service basis. A monthly premium is paid by the client and/or the employer to an insurance company, which then reimburses the dental office (dentist) for the services rendered. An insurance company usually pays between 50% - 80% of the dental office (dentist) fees for a covered procedures; the remaining 20% - 50% is paid by the client.

These plans often have a pre-determined or set deductible amount which varies from plan to plan. Indemnity plans also can limit the amount of services covered within a given year and pay the dentist based on a variety of fee schedules. Some typical features of these plans:

  • High deductibles before coverage begins (well-designed plans don't apply the deductible to preventive services)

  • Probationary periods on certain procedures that last up to a year

  • Annual dollar limit on benefits

  • Chose your own dentist

  • Your average monthly cost: $15 to $25

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Dental HMOs

These insurance plans, also known as "capitation plans," operate like their medical HMO cousins. This type of dental plan provides a comprehensive dental care to enrolled patients through designated provider office (dentist). A Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) is a common example of a capitation plan. The dentist is paid on a per capita (per person) basis rather than for actual treatment provided.

Participating dentists receive a fixes monthly fee based on the number of patients assigned to the office. In addition to premiums, client co-payments may be required for each visit. Some typical features of these plans:

  • Monthly premiums (some require you to prepay a year's worth)

  • Co-payments for office visits

  • Free preventive or routine care

  • You must select from an approved network of dentists

  • May have an initial enrollment fee

  • Annual dollar cap

  • Your average monthly cost: $5 to $15

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Preferred Provider Organizations

Another true insurance plan, a Preferred provider organizations ( PPO) falls somewhere between an indemnity plan and a dental HMO. This plan allows a particular group of patients to receive dental care from a defined panel of dentists. The participating dentist agrees to charge less than usual fees to this specific patient base, providing savings for the plan purchaser.

If the patient chooses to see a dentist who is not designated as a "preferred provider," that patient may be required to pay a greater share of the fee-for-service.  A group of dentists agrees to provide services at a deeply discounted rate, giving you substantial savings — as long as you stay in their network. Unlike the more restrictive DHMO, though, you can go out of network and still receive some benefits. Some typical features of these plans:

  • Monthly premiums

  • Annual dollar cap

  • You must stay within the approved network of dentists or pay higher deductibles and co-payments

  • Your average monthly cost: $20-25

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Dental Discount

This type of dental plan is not insurance. The managing organizations have negotiated with local dental offices to establish a set price for a particular dental procedure and offer deep discounts (some up to 70%) off the regular ADA pricing code.

This plan has several advantages over traditional dental insurance plans, namely, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This allows a patient to receive immediate coverage for work without meeting any waiting period requirements.

Direct Reimbursement Plans

A dental care plan now coming into vogue is the direct reimbursement plan. This is a self-funded benefit plan — not insurance — in which an employer pays for dental care with its own funds, rather than paying premiums to an insurance company or third-party administrator.

You, the patient, pay the full amount directly to the dentist, then get a receipt detailing services rendered and the cost, which you show to your employer. The employer reimburses you for part or all of the dental costs, depending on your specific benefits.

Your company might reimburse 100 percent of your first $100 of dental expenses and then 80 percent of the next $500, and 50 percent of the next $2,000, with a total annual maximum benefit of $1,500. Or it might reimburse only 50 percent of your first $1,000, resulting in a $500 yearly cap.

Some typical features of a direct reimbursement plan:

  • Neither you nor your employer pay monthly premiums

  • Freedom to choose any dentist

  • Typical employer cost: depends on the number of employees and benefit caps

  • Benefits usually capped at $500 to $2,000 annually.

Dental care is quite different than medical care. Major illness can strike at any time and the costs can be enormous. Most dental disease is preventable and treatment is predictable. Regular checkups and professional cleaning can help maintain your oral health and so dental benefits are written to encourage patients to seek preventative care in order to prevent more serious dental problems.

What do you look for in choosing a plan?

Does the plan give you the freedom to choose your own dentist or are you restricted to a panel of dentists selected by the insurance company? If you have a family dentist with whom you are satisfied, consider the effects changing dentists will have on the quality or quantity of care you receive. Because regular visits to the dentist reduce the likelihood of developing serious dental disease, it's best to have and maintain an established relationship with a dentist you trust

Who controls treatment decisions--you and your dentist or the dental plan? Many plans require dentists to follow treatment plans that rely on a Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT) approach. If there are multiple treatment options for a specific condition, the plan will pay for the less expensive treatment option.

If you choose a treatment option that may better suit your individual needs and your long-term oral health, you will be responsible for paying the difference in costs. It's important to know who makes the treatment decisions under your plan. These cost control measures may have an impact on the quality of care you'll receive.

Does the plan cover diagnostic, preventive and emergency services? If so, to what extent? Most dental plans provide coverage for selected diagnostic services, preventive care and emergency treatment that are basic for maintaining good oral health.

But the extent or frequency of the services covered by some plans may be limited. Depending upon your individual oral health needs, you may be required to pay the dentist directly for a portion of this basic care. Find out how much treatment is allowed in any given year without cost to you, and how much you will have to pay for yourself.

  • Initial Oral Examination----once per dentist

  • Recall Examinations----twice per year

  • Complete x-ray survey----once every three years

  • Cavity-detecting bite-wing x-rays----once per year

  • Prophylaxis or teeth cleaning----twice per year

  • Topical Fluoride treatment----twice per year

  • Sealants----for those under age 18

What routine corrective treatment is covered by the dental plan? What share of the costs will be yours? While preventive care lessens the risk of serious dental disease, additional treatment may be required to ensure optimal health. A broad range of treatment can be defined as routine. Most plans cover 70 percent to 80 percent of such treatment. Patients are responsible for the remaining costs. Examples of routine care include:

  • Restorative care - amalgam and composite resin fillings and stainless steel crowns on primary teeth

  • Endodontics - treatment of root canals and removal of tooth nerves

  • Oral Surgery - tooth removal (not including bony impaction) and minor surgical procedures such as tissue biopsy and drainage of minor oral infections.

  • Periodontics - treatment of uncomplicated periodontal disease including scaling, root planning and management of acute infections or lesions

  • Prosthodontics--repair and/or relining or reseating of existing dentures and bridges.

What major dental care is covered by the plan? What percentage of these costs will you be required to pay? Since dental benefits encourage you to get preventive care, which often eliminates the need for major dental work, most plans are not generous when it comes to paying for major dental work, most plans cover less than 50 percent of the cost of major treatment.

Most plans limit the benefits--both in number of procedures and dollar amount--that are covered in a given year. Be aware of these restrictions when choosing your plan and as you and your dentist develop treatment best suited for you. Major dental care includes:

  • Restorative care--gold restorations and individual crowns

  • Oral Surgery--removal of impacted teeth and complex oral surgery procedures.

  • Periodontics--treatment of complicated periodontal disease requiring surgery involving bones, underlying tissues or bone grafts.

  • Orthodontics--treatment including retainers, braces and/or diagnostic materials.

  • Dental Implants--either surgical placement or restoration

  • Prosthodontics--fixed bridges, partial dentures and removable or fixed dentures.

Will the plan allow referrals to specialists? Will my dentist and I be able to choose the specialist? Some plans limit referrals to specialists. Your dentist may be required to refer you to a limited selection of specialists who have contracted with the plan's third party. You also may be required to get permission from the plan administrator before being referred to a specialist. If you choose a plan with these limitations, make sure qualified specialists are available in your area. Look for a plan with a broad selection of different types of specialists.

If you have children, you may prefer a plan that allows a pediatric dentist to be your child's primary care dentist. Since specialized treatment is generally more costly than routine care, some plans discourage the use of specialists. While many general practitioners are qualified to perform some specialized services, complex procedures often require the skills of a dentist with special training. Discuss the options with your dentist before deciding who is best qualified to deliver treatment.

Can you see the dentist when you need to, and schedule appointment times convenient for you? Dentists participating in closed panel or capitation plans may have select hours to see plan patients. They may schedule appointments for these patients on given days, or at specified hours of the day, restricting your access.

Some dentist's fees for seeing you on weekends or during emergencies are high than those the plan allows. You may be required to pay additional costs yourself. If you select these types of plans, have a clear understanding of your dentist's policies as well as the plan's dentist-to-patient ratio. It's the best way to ensure your access to care is not unduly restricted and that you are not surprised by higher fees the plan does not cover.

Insurance companies do their best to ensure that their policyholders understand their plans and benefits, but it is up to an individual to make sure that they are making informed choices. The differences in the various plans you can choose from are:

  • The type of third party funding the plan.

  • Methods of selecting a dentist.

  • Compensation of the dentist's services to you.

  • The calculations of benefits and payments.

Understanding these differences will enable you to make an informed decision when selecting a dental plan that is best for you or your family.


 

Accord
Acra
Adams
Adams Basin
Adams Center
Addison
Adirondack
Afton
Airmont
Akron
Albany
Albertson
Albion
Alcove
Alden
Alder Creek
Alexander
Alexandria Bay
Alfred
Alfred Station
Allegany
Allentown
Alma
Almond
Alpine
Alplaus
Altamont
Altmar
Alton
Altona
Amagansett
Amawalk
Amenia
Amherst
Amityville
Amsterdam
Ancram
Ancramdale
Andes
Andover
Angelica
Angola
Angola On The Lake
Annadale-On-Hudson
Antwerp
Apalachin
Appalachian
Appleton
Apulia Station
Aquebogue
Arcade
Arden
Ardsley
Ardsley on Hudson
Argyle
Arkport
Arkville
Arlington
Armonk
Arverne
Ashford
Ashland
Ashville
Astoria
Athens
Athol
Athol Springs
Atlanta
Atlantic Beach
Attica
Au Sable Forks
Auburn
Auriesville
Aurora
Austerlitz
Ava
Averill Park
Avoca
Avon
Babylon
Bainbridge
Baiting Hollow
Bakers Mills
Baldwin
Baldwin Place
Baldwinsville
Ballston Lake
Ballston Spa
Balmville
Bangall
Bardonia
Barker
Barneveld
Barnum Island
Barrytown
Barryville
Barton
Basom
Batavia
Bath
Bay Shore
Bayport
Bayside
Bayville
Beacon
Bear Mountain
Bearsville
Beaver Dams
Beaver Falls
Bedford
Bedford Hills
Belfast
Bellerose
Belleville
Bellmore
Bellona
Bellport
Bellvale
Belmont
Bemus Point
Bergen
Berkshire
Berlin
Berne
Bernhards Bay
Bethel
Bethlehem
Bethpage
Bible School Park
Big Flats
Big Indian
Billings
Binghamton
Black Creek
Black River
Blasdell
Blauvelt
Bliss
Blodgett Mills
Bloomfield
Blooming Grove
Bloomingburg
Bloomingdale
Bloomington
Bloomville
Blossvale
Blue Mountain Lake
Blue Point
Bohemia
Boiceville
Bolivar
Bolton Landing
Bombay
Boonville
Boston
Bouckville
Bovina Center
Bowmansville
Bradford
Brainard
Brainardsville
Branchport
Brant
Brant Lake
Brantingham
Brasher Falls
Breesport
Breezy Point
Brentwood
Brewerton
Brewster
Briarcliff Manor
Bridgehampton
Bridgeport
Bridgewater
Brier Hill
Brighton
Brightwaters
Broadalbin
Brockport
Brocton
Bronx
Bronxville
Brookfield
Brookhaven
Brooklyn
Brooktondale
Brookville
Brownville
Brunswick
Brushton
Buchanan
Buffalo
Bullville
Burdett
Burke
Burlingham
Burlington Flats
Burnt Hills
Burt
Buskirk
Byron
Cadyville
Cairo
Calcium
Caledonia
Callicoon
Callicoon Center
Calverton
Cambria Heights
Cambridge
Camden
Cameron
Cameron Mills
Camillus
Campbell
Campbell Hall
Canaan
Canajoharie
Canandaigua
Canaseraga
Canastota
Candor
Caneadea
Canisteo
Canton
Cape Vincent
Carle Place
Carlisle
Carmel
Caroga Lake
Caroline
Carthage
Cassadaga
Cassville
Castile
Castle Clinton
Castle Creek
Castle Point
Castleton
Castleton on Hudson
Castorland
Cato
Catskill
Cattaraugus
Cayuga
Cayuga Heights
Cayuta
Cazenovia
Cedarhurst
Celoron
Center Moriches
Centereach
Centerport
Centerville
Central Bridge
Central Islip
Central Square
Central Valley
Ceres
Chadwicks
Chaffee
Champlain
Chappaqua
Charlotteville
Chase Mills
Chateaugay
Chatham
Chaumont
Chautauqua
Chazy
Cheektowaga
Chelsea
Chemung
Chenango Bridge
Chenango Forks
Cherry Creek
Cherry Plain
Cherry Valley
Chester
Chestertown
Chestnut Ridge
Chichester
Childwold
Chippewa Bay
Chittenango
Churchville
Churubusco
Cicero
Cincinnatus
Circleville
Clarence
Clarence Center
Clarendon
Clark Mills
Clarkson
Clarksville
Claryville
Claverack
Clay
Clayton
Clayville
Clemons
Cleveland
Cleverdale
Clifton Park
Clifton Springs
Climax
Clinton
Clinton Corners
Clintondale
Clockville
Clyde
Clymer
Cobleskill
Cochecton
Cochecton Center
Cocksakie
Coeymans
Coeymans Hollow
Cohocton
Cohoes
Cold Brook
Cold Spring
Cold Spring Harbor
Colden
College Point
Colliersville
Collins
Collins Center
Colonie
Colton
Columbiaville
Commack
Comstock
Conesus
Conewango Valley
Congers
Conklin
Connelly
Constable
Constableville
Constantia
Coopers Plains
Cooperstown
Copake
Copake Falls
Copenhagen
Copiague
Coram
Corbettsville
Corfu
Corinth
Corning
Cornwall
Cornwall-on-Hudson
Cornwallville
Corona
Cortland
Cortlandt Manor
Cossayuna
Costantia
Cottekill
Cowlesville
Coxsackie
Cragsmoor
Cranberry Lake
Cranesville
Craryville
Crittenden
Croghan
Crompond
Cropseyville
Cross River
Croton Falls
Croton-on-Hudson
Crown Point
Crugers
Cuba
Cuddebackville
Cutchogue
Dale
Dalton
Dannemora
Dansville
Darien Center
Davenport
Davenport Center
Dayton
De Kalb Junction
De Lancey
De Peyster
De Ruyter
Deansboro
Deer Park
Deer River
Deferiet
Delanson
Delevan
Delhi
Delmar
Delphi Falls
Denmark
Denver
Depauville
Depew
Deposit
Derby
Dewitt
Dewittville
Dexter
Diamond Point
Dickinson Center
Dix Hills
Dobbs Ferry
Dolgeville
Dormansville
Douglaston
Dover Plains
Downsville
Dresden
Dryden
Duanesburg
Dundee
Dunkirk
Durham
Durhamville
Eagle Bay
Eagle Bridge
Earlton
Earlville
East Amherst
East Aurora
East Berne
East Bethany
East Bloomfield
East Branch
East Chatham
East Concord
East Durham
East Elmhurst
East Fishkill
East Glenville
East Greenbush
East Hampton
East Hills
East Homer
East Islip
East Jewett
 
East Marion East Massapequa
East Meadow
East Meredith
East Moriches
East Nassau
East Northport
East Norwich
East Otto
East Patchogue
East Pembroke
East Pharsalia
East Quogue
East Randolph
East Rochester
East Rockaway
East Schodack
East Setauket
East Shoreham
East Springfield
East Syracuse
East Williamson
East Williston
East Worcester
Eastchester
Eastport
Eaton
Eden
Edinburg
Edmeston
Edwards
Elba
Elbridge
Eldred
Eleanor Roosevelt
Elizabethtown
Elizaville
Elka Park
Ellenburg
Ellenburg Center
Ellenburg Depot
Ellenville
Ellicottville
Ellington
Ellis Island
Ellisburg
Elma
Elma Center
Elmhurst
Elmira
Elmira Heights
Elmont
Elmsford
Elwood
Endicott
Endwell
Erieville
Erin
Esopus
Esperance
Essex
Etna
Evans Mills
Fabius
Fair Haven
Fairmount
Fairport
Fairview
Falconer
Fallsburg
Fancher
Far Rockaway
Farmersville Station
Farmingdale
Farmington
Farmingville
Farnham
Fayette
Fayetteville
Federal Hall
Felts Mills
Ferndale
Feura Bush
Fillmore
Findley Lake
Fine
Fineview
Fire Island
Fishers
Fishers Island
Fisher's Landing
Fishkill
Fishs Eddy
Flanders
Fleischmanns
Floral Park
Flower Hill
Flushing
Fly Creek
Fonda
Forest Hills
Forestburgh
Forestport
Forestville
Fort Ann
Fort Covington
Fort Drum
Fort Edward
Fort Hunter
Fort Johnson
Fort Lee
Fort Montgomery
Fort Plain
Fort Salonga
Fort Stanwix
Fosterdale
Frankfort
Franklin
Franklin Springs
Franklin Square
Franklinville
Fredonia
Freedom
Freehold
Freeport
Freeville
Fremont Center
Fresh Meadows
Frewsburg
Friendship
Fulton
Fultonham
Fultonville
Gabriels
Gainesville
Gallupville
Galway
Gang Mills
Gansevoort
Garden City
Gardiner
Gardnertown
Garnerville
Garrattsville
Garrison
Gaskill
Gasport
General Grant
Geneseo
Geneva
Genoa
Georgetown
Germantown
Gerry
Getzville
Ghent
Gilbertsville
Gilboa
Glasco
Glen Aubrey
Glen Cove
Glen Grove
Glen Head
Glen Oaks
Glen Spey
Glen Wild
Glendale
Glenfield
Glenford
Glenham
Glenmont
Glens Falls
Glenwood
Glenwood Landing
Gloversville
Godeffroy
Goldens Bridge
Gorham
Goshen
Gouverneur
Gowanda
Grafton
Grahamsville
Grand Gorge
Grand Island
Granite Springs
Granville
Great Bend
Great Neck
Great River
Great Valley
Greece
Green Island
Greenburgh
Greene
Greenfield Center
Greenfield Park
Greenhurst
Greenlawn
Greenpoint
Greenport
Greenvale
Greenville
Greenwich
Greenwood
Greenwood Lake
Greig
Groton
Groveland
Guilderland
Guilderland Center
Guilford
Hadley
Hagaman
Hague
Hailesboro
Haines Falls
Halcottsville
Halesite
Hall
Hamburg
Hamden
Hamilton
Hamilton Grange
Hamlin
Hammond
Hammondsport
Hampton
Hampton Bays
Hancock
Hankins
Hannacroix
Hannawa Falls
Hannibal
Hanover
Harford
Harlem
Harpersfield
Harpursville
Harriman
Harris
Harrison
Harrisville
Hartford
Hartsdale
Hartwick
Hastings
Hastings-On-Hudson
Hauppauge
Haverstraw
Haviland
Hawthorne
Head of the Harbor
Hector
Helena
Hemlock
Hempstead
Henderson
Henderson Harbor
Henrietta
Hensonville
Herkimer
Hermon
Herricks
Heuvelton
Hewlett
Hewlett Bay Park
Hicksville
High Falls
Highland
Highland Falls
Highland Lake
Highland Mills
Highmount
Hillburn
Hillcrest
Hillsdale
Hilton
Himrod
Hinckley
Hinsdale
Hobart
Hoffmans
Hoffmeister
Hogansburg
Holbrook
Holcomb
Holland
Holland Patent
Holley
Hollis
Hollowville
Holmes
Holtsville
Homer
Honeoye
Honeoye Falls
Hoosick
Hoosick Falls
Hopewell Junction
Hornell
Horseheads
Hortonville
Houghton
Howard Beach
Howells
Howes Cave
Hubbardsville
Hudson
Hudson Falls
Hughsonville
Huguenot
Huletts Landing
Hume
Hunt
Hunter
Huntington
Huntington Station
Hurley
Hurleyville
Hyde Park
Ilion
Indian Lake
Inlet
Interlaken
Inwood
Ionia
Irondequoit
Irving
Irvington
Island Park
Islandia
Islip
Islip Terrace
Ithaca
Jackson Heights
Jacksonville
Jamaica
Jamesport
Jamestown
Jamesville
Jasper
Java Center
Java Village
Jay
Jefferson
Jefferson Valley
Jeffersonville
Jericho
Jewett
Johnsburg
Johnson
Johnson City
Johnsonville
Johnstown
Jordan
Jordanville
Kanona
Kaser
Katonah
Kattskill Bay
Kauneonga Lake
Keene
Keene Valley
Keeseville
Kendall
Kenmore
Kennedy
Kenoza Lake
Kent
Kerhonkson
Keuka Park
Kew Gardens
Kiamesha Lake
Kill Buck
Killawog
Kinderhook
King Ferry
Kings Park
Kings Point
Kingston
Kirkville
Kirkwood
Kiryas Joel
Knowlesville
Knox
Knoxboro
La Fargeville
Lackawanna
Lacona
LaFayette
LaGrangeville
Lake Carmel
Lake Clear
Lake George
Lake Grove
Lake Hill
Lake Huntington
Lake Katrine
Lake Luzerne
Lake Peekskill
Lake Placid
Lake Pleasant
Lake Ronkonkoma
Lake Success
Lakemont
Lakeview
Lakeville
Lakewood
Lancaster
Lanesville
Lansing
Larchmont
Latham
Laurel
Laurens
Lawrence
Lawrenceville
Lawtons
Lee Center
Leeds
Leicester
Leon
Leonardsville
LeRoy
Levittown
Lewis
Lewisboro
Lewiston
Lexington
Liberty
Lily Dale
Lima
Limerick
Limestone
Lincolndale
Linden Hill
Lindenhurst
Lindley
Linwood
Lisbon
Lisle
Little Falls
Little Genesee
Little Neck
Little Valley
Little York
Liverpool
Livingston
Livingston Manor
Livonia Livonia Center
 
Lloyd Harbor
Loch Sheldrake
Locke
Lockport
Lockwood
Locust Valley
Lodi
Long Beach
Long Eddy
Long Island City
Long Lake
Lorraine
Loudonville
Lowman
Lowville
Lycoming
Lynbrook
Lyncourt
Lyndon
Lyndonville
Lyon Mountain
Lyons
Lyons Falls
Macedon
Machias
Madison
Madrid
Mahopac
Mahopac Falls
Malden Bridge
Malden on Hudson
Mallory
Malone
Malta
Malverne
Mamaroneck
Manchester
Manhasset
Manlius
Mannsville
Manorhaven
Manorville
Maple Springs
Maple View
Maplecrest
Marathon
Marcellus
Marcy
Margaretville
Marietta
Marilla
Marion
Marlboro
Martin Van Buren
Martinsburg
Martville
Maryknoll
Masonville
Maspeth
Massapequa
Massapequa Park
Massena
Mastic
Mastic Beach
Mattituck
Mattydale
Maybrook
Mayfield
Mayville
Mc Connellsville
Mc Graw
Mc Lean
McDonough
Mechanicville
Mecklenburg
Medford
Medina
Medusa
Mellenville
Melrose
Melrose Park
Melville
Memphis
Menands
Mendon
Meredith
Meridale
Meridian
Merrick
Mexico
Mid Hudson
Mid Island
Middle Falls
Middle Granville
Middle Grove
Middle Island
Middle Village
Middleburgh
Middleport
Middlesex
Middletown
Middleville
Milford
Mill Neck
Millbrook
Miller Place
Millerton
Millport
Millwood
Milton
Mineola
Minerva
Minetto
Mineville
Minoa
Model City
Modena
Mohawk
Mohegan Lake
Moira
Mongaup Valley
Monroe
Monsey
Montauk
Montebello
Montezuma
Montgomery
Monticello
Montour Falls
Montrose
Mooers
Mooers Forks
Moravia
Moriah
Moriah Center
Moriches
Morris
Morrisonville
Morristown
Morrisville
Morton
Mottville
Mount Ivy
Mount Kisco
Mount Marion
Mount Morris
Mount Sinai
Mount Tremper
Mount Upton
Mount Vernon
Mount Vision
Mountain Dale
Mountainville
Mumford
Munnsville
Munsey Park
Munsons Corners
Myers Corner
Nanuet
Napanoch
Naples
Narrowsburg
Nassau
Natural Bridge
Nedrow
Nelliston
Nesconset
Neversink
New Baltimore
New Berlin
New Cassel
New Castle
New City
New Gardens
New Hampton
New Hartford
New Haven
New Hempstead
New Hyde Park
New Kingston
New Lebanon
New Lisbon
New Milford
New Paltz
New Rochelle
New Russia
New Suffolk
New Windsor
New Woodstock
New Wourth
New York City
New York Mills
Newark
Newark Valley
Newburgh
Newcomb
Newfane
Newfield
Newport
Newton Falls
Newtonville
Niagara Falls
Niagara University
Nichols
Nicholville
Nineveh
Niobe
Niskayuna
Nissequogue
Niverville
Norfolk
North Amityville
North Babylon
North Bangor
North Bay
North Bay Shore
North Bellmore
North Blenheim
North Boston
North Branch
North Brookfield
North Chatham
North Chili
North Collins
North Creek
North Evans
North Granville
North Greece
North Hills
North Hoosick
North Hudson
North Java
North Lawrence
North Lindenhurst
North Massapequa
North Merrick
North New Hyde Park
North Norwich
North Patchogue
North Pitcher
North River
North Rose
North Salem
North Sea
North Syracuse
North Tonawanda
North Valley Stream
North Wantagh
North White Plains
Northport
Northville
Norwich
Norwood
Nunda
Nyack
Oak Hill
Oakdale
Oakfield
Oakland Gardens
Oaks Corners
Obernburg
Ocean Beach
Oceanside
Odessa
Ogdensburg
Olcott
Old Bethpage
Old Brookville
Old Chatham
Old Forge
Old Westbury
Olean
Olivebridge
Olmstedville
Oneida
Oneonta
Ontario
Ontario Center
Orange Lake
Orangeburg
Orchard Park
Orient
Oriskany
Oriskany Falls
Orwell
Ossining
Oswegatchie
Oswego
Otego
Otisville
Otto
Ouaquaga
Ovid
Owego
Owls Head
Oxbow
Oxford
Oyster Bay
Ozone Park
Painted Post
Palatine Bridge
Palenville
Palisades
Palmyra
Panama
Paradox
Parish
Parishville
Park Slope
Parksville
Patchogue
Patterson
Pattersonville
Paul Smiths
Pavilion
Pawling
Pearl River
Peconic
Peekskill
Pelham
Pelham Manor
Penfield
Penn Yan
Pennellville
Perinton
Perkinsville
Perry
Perrysburg
Peru
Peterboro
Petersburg
Phelps
Philadelphia
Phillipsport
Philmont
Phoenicia
Phoenix
Piercefield
Piermont
Pierrepont Manor
Piffard
Pike
Pine Bush
Pine City
Pine Hill
Pine Island
Pine Plains
Pine Valley
Piseco
Pitcher
Pittsford
Plainedge
Plainview
Plainville
Plandome
Plattekill
Plattsburgh
Pleasant Valley
Pleasantville
Plessis
Plymouth
Pocantico Hills
Poestenkill
Point Lookout
Poland
Pomona
Pompey
Pond Eddy
Poplar Ridge
Port Byron
Port Chester
Port Crane
Port Dickinson
Port Ewen
Port Gibson
Port Henry
Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Station
Port Jervis
Port Kent
Port Leyden
Port Washington
Portageville
Porters Corners
Portland
Portlandville
Portville
Potsdam
Pottersville
Poughkeepsie
Poughquag
Pound Ridge
Prattsburgh
Prattsville
Preble
Preston Hollow
Prospect
Pulaski
Pulteney
Pultneyville
Purchase
Purdys
Purling
Putnam Station
Putnam Valley
Pyrites
Quaker Street
Queens Village
Queensbury
Quogue
Rainbow Lake
Randolph
Ransomville
Raquette Lake
Ravena
Ray Brook
Raymondville
Reading Center
Red Creek
Red Hook
Redfield
Redford
Redwood
Rego Park
Remsen
Remsenburg
Rensselaer
Rensselaer Falls
Rensselaerville
Retsof
Rexford
Rexville
Rhinebeck
Rhinecliff
Richburg
Richfield Springs
Richford
Richland
Richmond Hill
Richmondville
Richville
Ridge
Ridgewood
Rifton
Riparius
Ripley
Riverdale
Riverhead
Rochester Rock City Falls
 
Rock Hill
Rock Stream
Rock Tavern
Rockaway Park
Rockville Centre
Rocky Point
Rodman
Roessleville
Rome
Romulus
Ronkonkoma
Roosevelt
Rooseveltown
Roscoe
Rose
Roseboom
Rosedale
Rosendale
Roslyn
Roslyn Heights
Rossburg
Rotterdam
Rotterdam Junction
Round Lake
Round Top
Rouses Point
Roxbury
Royalton
Ruby
Rush
Rushford
Rushville
Russell
Rye
Rye Brook
Sabael
Sackets Harbor
Sag Harbor
Sagamore Hill
Sagaponack
Saint Albans
Saint Bonaventure
Saint James
Saint Johnsville
Saint Paul Church
Saint Paul's Church
Saint Regis Falls
Salamanca
Salem
Salisbury
Salisbury Center
Salisbury Mills
Salt Point
Saltaire
Sanborn
Sand Lake
Sandusky
Sandy Creek
Sangerfield
Saranac
Saranac Lake
Saratoga
Saratoga Springs
Sardinia
Saugerties
Sauquoit
Savannah
Savona
Sawkill
Sayville
Scarsdale
Schaghticoke
Schenectady
Schenevus
Schodack Landing
Schoharie
Schroon Lake
Schuyler Falls
Schuyler Lake
Schuylerville
Scio
Scipio Center
Scotchtown
Scotia
Scottsburg
Scottsville
Scriba
Sea Cliff
Seaford
Selden
Selkirk
Seneca Castle
Seneca Falls
Setauket
Severance
Shandaken
Sharon Springs
Shelter Island
Shelter Island Heights
Shenorock
Sherburne
Sheridan
Sherman
Sherrill
Shinhopple
Shirley
Shokan
Shoreham
Shortsville
Shrub Oak
Shushan
Sidney
Sidney Center
Silver Bay
Silver Creek
Silver Lake
Silver Springs
Sinclairville
Skaneateles
Skaneateles Falls
Slate Hill
Slaterville Springs
Slingerlands
Sloan
Sloansville
Sloatsburg
Smallwood
Smithboro
Smithtown
Smithville Flats
Smyrna
Sodus
Sodus Point
Solsville
Solvay
Somers
Sonyea
Sound Beach
South Bethlehem
South Butler
South Byron
South Cairo
South Colton
South Dayton
South Fallsburg
South Farmingdale
South Floral Park
South Glens Falls
South Hempstead
South Hill
South Huntington
South Jamesport
South Kortright
South Lima
South Main
South New Berlin
South Nyack
South Otselic
South Ozone Park
South Plymouth
South Richmond Hill
South Rutland
South Salem
South Schodack
South Wales
Southampton
Southfields
Southold
Southport
Sparkill
Sparrow Bush
Speculator
Spencer
Spencerport
Spencertown
Speonk
Sprakers
Spring Brook
Spring Glen
Spring Valley
Springfield Center
Springfield Gardens
Springs
Springville
Springwater
Staatsburg
Stafford
Stamford
Stanfordville
Stanley
Star Lake
Staten Island
Statue Of Liberty
Steamburg
Stella Niagara
Stephentown
Sterling
Sterling Forest
Stewart Manor
Stillwater
Stittville
Stockholm
Stockton
Stone Ridge
Stony Brook
Stony Creek
Stony Point
Stormville
Stottville
Stow
Stratford
Strykersville
Stuyvesant
Stuyvesant Falls
Suffern
Sugar Loaf
Summit
Summitville
Sundown
Sunnyside
Surprise
Swain
Swan Lake
Sylvan Beach
Syosset
Syracuse
Taberg
Tallman
Tannersville
Tappan
Tarrytown
Terryville
Thendara
Theresa
Thiells
Thomaston
Thompson Ridge
Thompsonville
Thornwood
Thousand Island Park
Three Mile Bay
Ticonderoga
Tillson
Tioga Center
Tivoli
Tomkins Cove
Tonawanda
Town Line
Treadwell
Tribes Hill
Troupsburg
Trout Creek
Troy
Trumansburg
Truxton
Tuckahoe
Tully
Tunnel
Tupper Lake
Turin
Tuxedo Park
Tyrone
Ulster Park
Unadilla
Union Hill
Union Springs
Uniondale
Unionville
University Gardens
Upper Delaware
Upper Delaware River
Upper Jay
Upper Nyack
Upton
Utica
Vails Gate
Valatie
Valhalla
Valley Cottage
Valley Falls
Valley Stream
Van Buren Point
Van Etten
Van Hornesville
Vanderbilt
Varysburg
Verbank
Vermontville
Vernon
Vernon Center
Verona
Verona Beach
Verplanck
Versailles
Vestal
Victor
Victory
Victory Mills
Village Green
Voorheesville
Waccabuc
Waddington
Wading River
Wainscott
Walden
Wales Center
Walker Valley
Wallace
Wallkill
Walton
Walworth
Wampsville
Wanakena
Wantagh
Wappinger
Wappingers Falls
Warners
Warnerville
Warrensburg
Warsaw
Warwick
Washington Mills
Washingtonville
Wassaic
Water Mill
Waterford
Waterloo
Waterport
Watertown
Waterville
Watervliet
Watkins Glen
Waverly
Wawarsing
Wayland
Wayne
Webster
Weedsport
Wellesley Island
Wells
Wells Bridge
Wellsburg
Wellsville
Wesley Hills
West Babylon
West Bay Shore
West Bloomfield
West Burlington
West Camp
West Carthage
West Chazy
West Chester
West Clarksville
West Copake
West Coxsackie
West Davenport
West Eaton
West Edmeston
West End
West Falls
West Fulton
West Glens Falls
West Harrison
West Haverstraw
West Hempstead
West Henrietta
West Hurley
West Islip
West Kill
West Lebanon
West Leyden
West Monroe
West Nyack
West Oneonta
West Park
West Point
West Sand Lake
West Sayville
West Seneca
West Shokan
West Stockholm
West Valley
West Winfield
Westbrookville
Westbury
Westchester
Westdale
Westerlo
Westernville
Westfield
Westford
Westhampton
Westhampton Beach
Westmere
Westmoreland
Westons Mills
Westport
Westtown
Westvale
Wevertown
Wheatfield
Wheatley Heights
Whippleville
White Lake
White Plains
White Sulphur Springs
Whitehall
Whitesboro
Whitestone
Whitesville
Whitney Point
Willard
Willet
Williamson
Williamstown
Williamsville
Williston Park
Willow
Willsboro
Willseyville
Wilmington
Wilson
Windham
Windsor
Wingdale
Winthrop
Witherbee
Wolcott
Woodbourne
Woodbury
Woodgate
Woodhaven
Woodhull
Woodmere
Woodridge
Woodside
Woodstock
Worcester
Wurtsboro
Wyandanch
Wynantskill
Yaphank
Yonkers
York
Yorkshire
Yorktown Heights
Yorkville
Youngstown
Youngsville
Yulan
 

or... you can select a different state from the list below
to find Dental Plans in that state.

 

Traditional dental insurance is often perceived as the best way to pay for dental expenses. And while dental insurance is an excellent option when sponsored by your employer, it may not be very cost effective when you are paying for it.

Most individual dental insurance plans require you to satisfy waiting periods and deductibles before having major and sometimes even minor restorative work done. Discount dental plans help make maintaining good oral health a lot more affordable. And, with no waiting periods or complicated coverage procedures, dental discount plans are about as simple as you can get.

How do discount dental plans work? As we become aware about our oral health, there has been a demand for affordable dental care. Discount dental plans are the newest option for those without coverage. These dental discount plans are much cheaper than traditional dental insurance, and also offer almost equal coverage for all dental work, even cosmetic procedures not covered by standard indemnity dental plans.

The catch is that dental discount plans are not really insurance at all. They work more like club memberships, where the cost of membership (your "premium") earns a steep discount on any club service (dental work) you buy. The discount normally applies to all dental office services performed by an approved "plan" dentist, but no procedure is covered completely.

What are the ins and outs of discount dental plans? When it comes to dental discount plans, the good news is afford ability, breadth of services, and immediate coverage. The bad news is greater financial risk and responsibility on your part.

Although the monthly cost of most discount dental plans is very low compared to the price of a traditional dental insurance or indemnity insurance policy, there's more allover financial risk with a dental discount plan. No care is totally covered, so an expensive procedure will mean a big out-of-pocket expense, even with the dental plan. And even when undergoing a low-cost service (like cleaning), you'll still be expected to pick up a part of the cost.

However, on the plus side, discount dental plans are effective immediately - so are many procedures you need now will be covered as soon as you buy the dental discount plan. Traditional indemnity and/or insurance dental plans usually impose a waiting period of between 6 and 18 months for any major procedure. The last "pro" is that all good dental discount plans should come with a money-back guarantee.

Indemnity Plans

This type of dental plan pays the dental office (dentist) on a traditional fee-for-service basis. A monthly premium is paid by the client and/or the employer to an insurance company, which then reimburses the dental office (dentist) for the services rendered. An insurance company usually pays between 50% - 80% of the dental office (dentist) fees for a covered procedures; the remaining 20% - 50% is paid by the client.

These plans often have a pre-determined or set deductible amount which varies from plan to plan. Indemnity plans also can limit the amount of services covered within a given year and pay the dentist based on a variety of fee schedules. Some typical features of these plans:

  • High deductibles before coverage begins (well-designed plans don't apply the deductible to preventive services)

  • Probationary periods on certain procedures that last up to a year

  • Annual dollar limit on benefits

  • Chose your own dentist

  • Your average monthly cost: $15 to $25

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Dental HMOs

These insurance plans, also known as "capitation plans," operate like their medical HMO cousins. This type of dental plan provides a comprehensive dental care to enrolled patients through designated provider office (dentist). A Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) is a common example of a capitation plan. The dentist is paid on a per capita (per person) basis rather than for actual treatment provided.

Participating dentists receive a fixes monthly fee based on the number of patients assigned to the office. In addition to premiums, client co-payments may be required for each visit. Some typical features of these plans:

  • Monthly premiums (some require you to prepay a year's worth)

  • Co-payments for office visits

  • Free preventive or routine care

  • You must select from an approved network of dentists

  • May have an initial enrollment fee

  • Annual dollar cap

  • Your average monthly cost: $5 to $15

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Preferred Provider Organizations

Another true insurance plan, a Preferred provider organizations ( PPO) falls somewhere between an indemnity plan and a dental HMO. This plan allows a particular group of patients to receive dental care from a defined panel of dentists. The participating dentist agrees to charge less than usual fees to this specific patient base, providing savings for the plan purchaser.

If the patient chooses to see a dentist who is not designated as a "preferred provider," that patient may be required to pay a greater share of the fee-for-service.  A group of dentists agrees to provide services at a deeply discounted rate, giving you substantial savings — as long as you stay in their network. Unlike the more restrictive DHMO, though, you can go out of network and still receive some benefits. Some typical features of these plans:

  • Monthly premiums

  • Annual dollar cap

  • You must stay within the approved network of dentists or pay higher deductibles and co-payments

  • Your average monthly cost: $20-25

  • Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Dental Discount

This type of dental plan is not insurance. The managing organizations have negotiated with local dental offices to establish a set price for a particular dental procedure and offer deep discounts (some up to 70%) off the regular ADA pricing code.

This plan has several advantages over traditional dental insurance plans, namely, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This allows a patient to receive immediate coverage for work without meeting any waiting period requirements.

Direct Reimbursement Plans

A dental care plan now coming into vogue is the direct reimbursement plan. This is a self-funded benefit plan — not insurance — in which an employer pays for dental care with its own funds, rather than paying premiums to an insurance company or third-party administrator.

You, the patient, pay the full amount directly to the dentist, then get a receipt detailing services rendered and the cost, which you show to your employer. The employer reimburses you for part or all of the dental costs, depending on your specific benefits.

Your company might reimburse 100 percent of your first $100 of dental expenses and then 80 percent of the next $500, and 50 percent of the next $2,000, with a total annual maximum benefit of $1,500. Or it might reimburse only 50 percent of your first $1,000, resulting in a $500 yearly cap.

Some typical features of a direct reimbursement plan:

  • Neither you nor your employer pay monthly premiums

  • Freedom to choose any dentist

  • Typical employer cost: depends on the number of employees and benefit caps

  • Benefits usually capped at $500 to $2,000 annually.

Dental care is quite different than medical care. Major illness can strike at any time and the costs can be enormous. Most dental disease is preventable and treatment is predictable. Regular checkups and professional cleaning can help maintain your oral health and so dental benefits are written to encourage patients to seek preventative care in order to prevent more serious dental problems.

What do you look for in choosing a plan?

Does the plan give you the freedom to choose your own dentist or are you restricted to a panel of dentists selected by the insurance company? If you have a family dentist with whom you are satisfied, consider the effects changing dentists will have on the quality or quantity of care you receive. Because regular visits to the dentist reduce the likelihood of developing serious dental disease, it's best to have and maintain an established relationship with a dentist you trust

Who controls treatment decisions--you and your dentist or the dental plan? Many plans require dentists to follow treatment plans that rely on a Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT) approach. If there are multiple treatment options for a specific condition, the plan will pay for the less expensive treatment option.

If you choose a treatment option that may better suit your individual needs and your long-term oral health, you will be responsible for paying the difference in costs. It's important to know who makes the treatment decisions under your plan. These cost control measures may have an impact on the quality of care you'll receive.

Does the plan cover diagnostic, preventive and emergency services? If so, to what extent? Most dental plans provide coverage for selected diagnostic services, preventive care and emergency treatment that are basic for maintaining good oral health.

But the extent or frequency of the services covered by some plans may be limited. Depending upon your individual oral health needs, you may be required to pay the dentist directly for a portion of this basic care. Find out how much treatment is allowed in any given year without cost to you, and how much you will have to pay for yourself.

  • Initial Oral Examination----once per dentist

  • Recall Examinations----twice per year

  • Complete x-ray survey----once every three years

  • Cavity-detecting bite-wing x-rays----once per year

  • Prophylaxis or teeth cleaning----twice per year

  • Topical Fluoride treatment----twice per year

  • Sealants----for those under age 18

What routine corrective treatment is covered by the dental plan? What share of the costs will be yours? While preventive care lessens the risk of serious dental disease, additional treatment may be required to ensure optimal health. A broad range of treatment can be defined as routine. Most plans cover 70 percent to 80 percent of such treatment. Patients are responsible for the remaining costs. Examples of routine care include:

  • Restorative care - amalgam and composite resin fillings and stainless steel crowns on primary teeth

  • Endodontics - treatment of root canals and removal of tooth nerves

  • Oral Surgery - tooth removal (not including bony impaction) and minor surgical procedures such as tissue biopsy and drainage of minor oral infections.

  • Periodontics - treatment of uncomplicated periodontal disease including scaling, root planning and management of acute infections or lesions

  • Prosthodontics--repair and/or relining or reseating of existing dentures and bridges.

What major dental care is covered by the plan? What percentage of these costs will you be required to pay? Since dental benefits encourage you to get preventive care, which often eliminates the need for major dental work, most plans are not generous when it comes to paying for major dental work, most plans cover less than 50 percent of the cost of major treatment.

Most plans limit the benefits--both in number of procedures and dollar amount--that are covered in a given year. Be aware of these restrictions when choosing your plan and as you and your dentist develop treatment best suited for you. Major dental care includes:

  • Restorative care--gold restorations and individual crowns

  • Oral Surgery--removal of impacted teeth and complex oral surgery procedures.

  • Periodontics--treatment of complicated periodontal disease requiring surgery involving bones, underlying tissues or bone grafts.

  • Orthodontics--treatment including retainers, braces and/or diagnostic materials.

  • Dental Implants--either surgical placement or restoration

  • Prosthodontics--fixed bridges, partial dentures and removable or fixed dentures.

Will the plan allow referrals to specialists? Will my dentist and I be able to choose the specialist? Some plans limit referrals to specialists. Your dentist may be required to refer you to a limited selection of specialists who have contracted with the plan's third party. You also may be required to get permission from the plan administrator before being referred to a specialist. If you choose a plan with these limitations, make sure qualified specialists are available in your area. Look for a plan with a broad selection of different types of specialists.

If you have children, you may prefer a plan that allows a pediatric dentist to be your child's primary care dentist. Since specialized treatment is generally more costly than routine care, some plans discourage the use of specialists. While many general practitioners are qualified to perform some specialized services, complex procedures often require the skills of a dentist with special training. Discuss the options with your dentist before deciding who is best qualified to deliver treatment.

Can you see the dentist when you need to, and schedule appointment times convenient for you? Dentists participating in closed panel or capitation plans may have select hours to see plan patients. They may schedule appointments for these patients on given days, or at specified hours of the day, restricting your access.

Some dentist's fees for seeing you on weekends or during emergencies are high than those the plan allows. You may be required to pay additional costs yourself. If you select these types of plans, have a clear understanding of your dentist's policies as well as the plan's dentist-to-patient ratio. It's the best way to ensure your access to care is not unduly restricted and that you are not surprised by higher fees the plan does not cover.

Insurance companies do their best to ensure that their policyholders understand their plans and benefits, but it is up to an individual to make sure that they are making informed choices. The differences in the various plans you can choose from are:

  • The type of third party funding the plan.

  • Methods of selecting a dentist.

  • Compensation of the dentist's services to you.

  • The calculations of benefits and payments.

Understanding these differences will enable you to make an informed decision when selecting a dental plan that is best for you or your family.