Supplemental dental insurance helps cover out-of-pocket expenses toward dental care that are not covered by your current dental or health insurance plan. It is not a substitute for dental insurance, as it only helps defray extra costs. Many employer-provided dental insurance plans as well as student health dental health insurance plans do not provide for the complete coverage of the costs involved in routine dental care. These costs add up if they are continually paid for out of pocket. That's where supplemental dental insurance can help.

Types of Supplemental Dental Insurance
There are two main types of supplemental dental insurance plans: discounted dental plans and Preferred Provider Network (PPO) plans. Both types depending on where you are located in the country typically cost less than $200 for a family or individual plan.

In both plans, typical dental expenses are provided at a discounted rate to all members of the group. For example, a typical check-up visit that would cost about $45 would be free to a member, or a root canal treatment that would cost about $650 would be available to a member for about $200 less.

With discount PPOs you'll have access to a network of dentists within the network and shop for services and discounts that apply to you.

Benefits
The main benefit of a supplemental dental insurance plan is to reduce costs. For those who already have some form of dental insurance, it will probably bring their out-of-pocket expenses to zero. Even for those with no dental insurance, it may be a good idea to get a supplemental dental plan to help reduce the costs of routine dental care. Use the link in the Resources section below to search for a supplemental dental plan in your area.

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