What is a Managed Dental Care?

As the name itself depicts, Managed Dental Care manages both the dental care of the customers and the dentists who provide the services to its customers. It mostly provides preventive dental care services to its customers at very low prices. Managed dental care is generally favored by most of the small scale companies as it provides majority of the services at very less premium. And also the benefits involved are more when compared to that of the other private dental insurances.

What are the advantages of Managed Dental Care?

Majority of the people are opting these plans instead of private insurances because of its advantages. The advantages include:

- The prime reason for its preference is its low premium. Only by paying a very small amount, anyone can become a part of these plans. The premiums of the general traditional insurances are more than these plans. Hence, majority of the people are getting attracted to these plans.

- These plans are advantageous for the small business owners. They can provide dental plans to their employees within a less budget.

- Dental coverage is offered to the customers in the least expensive way. Even the dental treatments are provided at very low costs.

- These plans mostly provide coverage on preventive dental services. These services include Oral Examinations, Prophylaxis (cleaning), Fluoride treatments and sealants, Oral cancer screenings, Blood pressure screenings, evaluations of jaw joint problems, etc.

- In most of the cases, these plans are not dependent on the deductibles.

- Members need not worry about the paper work and claims. Paper work and claims are sent to the company directly by the dentist. The balance amount is then paid by the company. The member has to just show his membership card and ID number to the dentist.

- Apart from the premium, a member will have to pay some amount as co-payment for most of the services.

What are the disadvantages of Managed Dental Care?

- A member must choose a dentist only from their dental network. No discounts will be offered, if he prefers visiting a dentist who is outside the network.

- Sometimes, a member may face difficulties in finding a dentist in his locality. So he has to travel to some other place to find a dentist from the network.

- A waiting period is imposed on most of the dental procedures.

What are the types of Managed Dental Care plans?

Managed dental care plans are of three types. A member can choose any of these plans according to his necessity.

Dental health maintenance organizations (DHMO) insurance plans:

- A dentist must be selected only from the company’s dental network.

- No coverage will be provided if a dentist from outside the network is selected.

- Customers are offered discounts by the dentists within the network. A pre payment is given to these dentists by the company.

Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Insurance Plans:

- A member can visit any dentist within the network or outside the network.
- The costs are more when treated by a dentist outside the network than the ones inside the network.
- No claims are to be filed.
- Need no referrals to visit a specialist.

Dental Point of Service (POS) Insurance Plans:

- Even in this plan a member can visit any dentist within the network or outside the network and the costs are more when treated by a dentist outside the network than the ones inside the network.

- The type of dental care professional must be decided by the customer in the initial stages itself. He can also change the professional if he is not satisfied with him.