This is a question I am often asked by my patients, “Do I Need Dental Insurance?”   Unlike medical insurance, which started being offered in 1850 by the Franklin Health Insurance Company of Massachusetts, Dental Insurance is a fairly recent phenomenon. Dental insurance was first introduced in California in 1954, and quickly rose in popularity. By the 1970’s, these plans were widely available and usually provided a maximum annual coverage of about $1000 (which is still about the maximum today).  

I recommend patients to do their math.  If you have a $1000.00 dollars of dental benefits per policy period, pending your treatment meets all dental policies restrictions, which is usually around 150 pages long.  Once you pay your monthly premium, meet your deductible, and then your insurance may pick up a percentage of your procedure. Again, this is pending your policies restrictions. So how much have you spent or saved having a dental policy?

In 30 years of practice I have chosen to be an Out of Network dentist.  Let me explain why.  When a dentist chooses to become an In Network dentist he agrees to do his dental work at a reduced rate and to only discuss treatment with patients that is coved under their dental plan. Why would a dentist do this?  There are many reasons why a dentist would reduce his fees but in doing this he is forced to make up this loss in other areas! My practice is based on treating patients concerns and dental needs according to the standard of The ADA Dental Code of Ethics, anything besides this would be considered malpractice!

Kind regards,

Dr. Richard J. Rogers

 Facts You Should Know About Dental  Insurance

  • Last Year 75 Billion Spent On Dental Insurance In The United States. Of this, less Than 60% Spent On Actual Dental Services.
  • Dental Providers Basically Is Someone Who Has Contracted With The Dental Insurance Company To Take Lower Fees And Use Cheaper Methods Or Materials.  Whether That’s In Your Best Intrest Or Not. 
  • Also He/She Is Contractually Obligated To The Insurance Companies Putting Cost Ahead Of Patients Care. 
  • Choose Your Dentist Based On Referrals From Family, Friends, Acquaintances Who Have No Vested Interest.  Not A Referral From An Insurance Company That Has Their Bottom Line As The Main Concern.
  • In Network Dentist Only Sign These Contracts Because They Are Having A Hard Time Getting Patients In The Chair. 
  • Insurance Compainies And Providers Are Making Business-Profit Centric Decisions.    We Are Making Patient Health Centric Decisions.
  • Dr. Rogers Strives To Be An Honest And Ethical Dentist That Will Be Your Partner In Health For A Lifetime. 
  • He Is Always Looking For What He Can Do To Keep Your Oral Health Stable And Healthy.  He Is Not Looking At What He Can Get From Your Dental Insurance.
  • Dental Insurance And Medical Insurance Are Polar Opposites.  The More You Need Your Medical Insurance The More Valuable It Is To You.  
  • With Dental Insurance The More You Need It The Less It Is Worth To You.   Must Cap Off At 1,500.00-2,00.00. 
  • In Network Dentist Tend To Try And Find More Work Since They Are Compensated So Poorly.  More X-Rays, Fillings And Expensive Deep Cleaning That Aren’t Covered By Insurance So Dentist Can Charge What They Want And Make Up The Difference. 
  • Dr. Rogers Has Chosen To Not Sign Any Contracts To Be In The Category Of A Dental Provider, Throughout His Dental Career.  
  • Dr. Rogers Does Not Contract With Any  Dental Insurance  Companies Because They Do Not Have His Patients Best Interests In Mind. He Wants To Have The Freedom That Allows Him And His Patients To Choose The Best Course Of Treatment.