 Affordable dental plans and dental insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Save $$$ nationwide with our powerful dental plan platform.
We have listed below the questions we get from our members on a frequent basis. We have tried to provide comprehensive answers. If you can not find the answer to your question here or if an answer posted is unclear, please contact us. If you have questions related to specific dental benefits or dental procedure or diseases, we have information on our Dental Terminology or Dental Glossary pages.
Most Frequently Asked Questions(Click on a question for the answer)
Dental Plan Answers
What exactly is a discount or reduced fee dental plan?
Discount or reduced fee dental plans are designed for individuals, couples, and families (and they be private individuals, groups or commercial entities) looking to save money when visiting the dentist. The dentists and or special dentistry practitioners participating in discount dental plans have agreed to accept a lower fee, than they would normally charge, as payment in full for each service performed. Every discount dental plan comes with a membership card and a complete list of all dental procedures covered and what the discounted price will be. This is an pre-agreed fee for this particular service. Discount dental plans are sometimes known as referral plans due as they generate new patient referrals to dental practices.
Once enrolled in any of the available discount plans, you may visit any one of the participating provider of that plan and receive dental treatments at the agreed discounted fee. These discounted fees range from 10% to 60% lower than the normal dental charges. All you need to do is show your membership card when visiting any participating plan dentist and you will receive your dental services at discounted rates. The major bonus is that unlike insured dental benefits, there are no claim forms, no pre-existing condition checks and no paperwork hassles.
Back to Top
How much do I pay and who do I pay it to?
You will pay your dental plan membership fee according to the plan you choose. This you pay up front to your dental plan provider. It is important to choose your plan carefully! You will then pay the contracting dental practitioner the agreed discounted fees whenever you or a member of your family receive treatment.
Back to Top
How do I receive my Online Dental Plan Membership Package?
As soon as you have completed your online dental plan enrollment, you can download your Online Membership Package in the Member’s Area. You can print out your membership cards and complete fulfillment materials anywhere you have a computer with internet access! We suggest you take your dental plan membership card to a print shop and have it laminated so that it is protected. Your membership card is a valuable document and you should treat it like a bank card or a drivers licence. If you do not have access to a printer, we will be happy to mail your benefit package directly to your postal address. Please call our toll free number, 1-888-632-5353 for assistance.
Back to Top
How soon can I use my new dental plan?
Most dental plan memberships are activated within a few business days of when your payment is received and processed. On each dental plan detail page, you will find an "Activation Date" - this is the first day that you may begin using your benefits. Unlike traditional dental insurance, plan activation is extremely quick.
Back to Top
Is there a waiting period?
No! Unlike traditional dental insurance, there is no waiting period and there is no penalty for pre-existing conditions. You can go to the dentist or specialist just as soon as your plan has been activated.
Back to Top
Can I make monthly payments on my enrollment fee?
No. Sorry, the enrollment fee is an annual fee which must be paid in full upon enrollment to become an active member. All the dental plans are specifically designed to bring our consumers a quality benefit product at the lowest possible cost. Accepting payments on a monthly basis would increase the cost of processing, and would make our plans more expensive. This also makes the plans the most cost efficient plans available in the USA by reducing the incidence of bad debt.
Back to Top
Are there dentists or dental specialists available in my area?
When you consider that our network includes over 200000 dentists and dental specialists, there is a high probability that we have a practitioner near your home or place of work. Please use our search facility to find out what dentists or dental specialists are in your area. Our principal offers the largest combined network of dentists in the USA and has a network presence in all 50 states. What is more we have now expanded our dental plan network into Canada.
Back to Top
Who is a participating provider?
A participating provider is a dentist, or dental specialist including Oral Surgeons, Orthodontists, Pediatric Dentists, Endodontists, Periodontists and Prosthodontists who have agreed to participate in a discount dental plan and to provide dental services to plan members at significantly reduced prices. Participating providers may belong to a number of Dental Plans and offer a variety of service combinations. There is a description of what each dental specialist does here.
Back to Top
Am I stuck using a specific dentist or participating provider with my plan?
No. With our discount dental plans, you are not obligated to use a specific participating provider. You are free to use any participating dentist listed in the dental plan's network, regardless of the ZIP code, town, city or state. The only stipulation is that the specialist of your choice must be a participating provider. If you go to a dentist who is not a participating specialist in your particular plan you will not receive the discounts.
Back to Top
What steps are taken to ensure that the participating dentists are quality providers?
All of our participating providers are subject to a selective screening process to ensure that all are licensed practitioners and his or her qualifications meet the highest standards. The following steps are taken by our network providers to ensure that you receive top-notch care.
- The requesting dentist must complete an initial application to collect general office and provider data.
- Every dentist must comply with OSHA and CDC standards.
- Up-to-date current malpractice insurance and state license information is kept on file for each provider
Back to Top
Can I belong to more than one plan?
Yes! You can belong to more than one dental plan no problem! Take care that belonging to two plans does not entitle you to a double discount on a single treatment. Only one discount is available per treatment. Some members have double plans to get different discounts on different treatments for different members of their families.
Back to Top
What benefits/savings are offered for orthodontic work (Braces)?
In general, MOST orthodontic procedures, services and treatments, performed by an orthodontic specialist, are offered at 20% off the orthodontist’s usual and customary fees. (NOTE: this specialist discount may be 15%-25% on certain plans).
Back to Top
What benefits/savings are offered for cosmetic dentistry?
In general, MOST cosmetic dental procedures, services and treatments, when performed, are offered at a 25% discount off the dentist's usual and customary dental fee.
Back to Top
Are the discount dental plans offered the same as dental insurance?
No. The discount dental plans offered are not dental insurance. Most dental insurance plans are designed for large groups, organizations, or businesses. Discount dental plans are an innovative alternative to dental insurance, designed to suit the needs of individuals and families looking to save money on dental care. Typically, dental insurance is difficult to obtain unless provided by your workplace or employer. Discount dental plans are specially deigned to save people money that would not be able to acquire traditional dental insurance. Of course, this is not to say that our dental savings plans are not available to companies or groups. Companies and groups make use of savings plans as an innovative and cost effective alternative to dental insurance.
Back to Top
How are discount dental plans different from traditional insurance?
Discount dental plans are different from traditional dental insurance in several ways. First, discount dental plans are easy to enroll in by removing the hassles and waiting periods associated with traditional dental insurance. Unlike traditional dental insurance, our discount plans do not deny coverage based on a patient’s pre-existing dental conditions. There are no complicated claim forms with no submission deadlines required for usage. There are no insurance deductibles, excesses or minimum charges to worry about. Most importantly, there is no annual maximum benefit - you can use the plan as much and as often as needed.
Back to Top
How are discount dental plans similar to traditional dental insurance?
The network of providers that participate in the discount plans we offer are licensed professionals just like you would find on most traditional insurance plans. If you need the treatment the service is always available as long as your dental plan is current.
Back to Top
Do you have plans available in Canada and elsewhere outside the US?
Yes! We recently launched our first Canadian dental plan, Future Focus Direct. We are continuing to work diligently to expand our network. Please feel free to periodically check our website for updates.
Back to Top
If you can not find the answer to your question here
or if an answer posted is unclear, please contact us.
If you have questions related to benefit or procedure terminology, you are more likely to find the information you seek in the Dental Terminology section.
 
Enter your zip code in the form below to see what dental plans we have in your area! |
