How to save | Preventive dental care
Conventional wisdom says prevention is often more effecient than addressing health problems after they arise. But is this
really true and does it apply to preventive dental care procedures at your dentist's office? Here is some evidence suggesting
prevention is in fact the best medicine when it comes to saving money. See the links for original sources.
Economic benefits of preventive dental care
Dental insurance companies have substantial data regarding dental care costs and strong financial incentives for
suscribers to save on dental costs. If preventive dental care were more expensive than restorative dental care, one would
expect dental insurance plan structure to encourage restorative care over preventive care (e.g. no coverage for regular exams, but
generous coverage for fillings and emergency visits). In reality, dental insurance benefits are structured to encourage
preventive care over restorative care. It is not uncommon for a dental insurance plan to cover 100% of preventive care multiple times
per year. AARP Delta Dental insurance plans now cover
three preventive dental visits per year.
America's Oral Health Report by Delta Dental
- Every $1 spent on prevention saves $4 in treatment (but see below for a more dramatic estimate).
- Dental preventive care, early detection, and treatment save the U.S. $4 billion annually.
American Dental Education Association
- Every $1 spent on prevention saves as much as $50 in restorative and emergency treatment.
- Oral cancer treatment costs 60% less when caught in the earliest stages.
Children's Dental Health Project
- Low income children who first visit the dentist by age one spend $263 versus $447 over a five year period.
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Dental sealants prevent cavities and reduce associated dental treatment costs, especially among high-risk children.
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