Helpful Terms About Dental Care

The world of dental insurance can be confusing. To help you make sense of it, here’s a quick guide to some of the most commonly used terms.

• Deductible is the amount of your yearly medical bills that you are responsible for paying. Your insurance policy typically covers the remainder.
• Dental insurance is medical insurance that specifically covers visits to the dentist and medical procedures needed to keep your teeth healthy.
• Dental plans are membership-based programs that offer discounts on dental procedures. Dental plans are not the same as dental insurance.
• EPO or Exclusive Provider Organization is a dental insurance plan that will not cover any charges for services by dentists outside its network.
• Geriatric dentists specialize in dental care for senior citizens and the elderly.
Group dental insurance lets a group of associated people save on their premiums by pooling their purchasing power to buy one master policy.
• HMO or Health Maintenance Organization is another kind of dental plan that will not cover any charges for services by dentists outside its network.
• Major care is any extensive dental procedure. Typical examples of major care include root canals, crowns, and bridges.
• Network refers to the list of dentists approved by an EPO or PPO insurance plan.
• Orthodontics is the area of dental care specializing in treating misaligned teeth and other abnormalities.
• Open Plans are insurance plans that allow the policyholder to choose any dentist for their care.
• Pediatric dentists specialize in the dental care of young children.
• PPO or Preferred Provider Organization is a dental insurance plan that offers savings as an incentive to use dentists within its network.
• Premiums are the monthly cost paid to maintain coverage by an insurance plan.
• Preventive care is dental care that focuses on preventing tooth and mouth problems. Check-ups and cleanings are examples of preventive care.
• Restorative care is dental care that treats simple dental problems to maintain good oral health. Fillings are an example of restorative care.
• Waiting periods are required by some insurance plans before they will cover certain kinds of restorative and major care.
• Yearly maximums are the amount of money a dental insurance policy will pay out annually. Once this maximum is met, the policyholder is responsible for the rest of the dental expenses.

Want to find out more about your dental plan options? Use our easy online form to find plans that are a good match for you.