The Value of Dental Insurance vs. Paying Out-of-Pocket
Posted on August 22, 2022 in Insurance
.png)
*Updated June 2025
Last year, 91 percent of adults say they consider a dental checkup as important as a yearly physical, according to the 2024 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report.
But surprisingly, only about of people actually have dental insurance. If most agree that dental visits are important, why do so many people skip out on getting coverage?
One reason might be that people aren’t sure what dental insurance actually covers, or that they assume it’s not worth the cost. Some believe it’s only useful for big procedures and they’d rather just pay out-of-pocket when something comes up. But that kind of thinking can end up being more expensive in the long run.
Common myths about dental insurance
Let’s debunk a few of the common myths that keep people from enrolling in dental insurance.
- It’s too expensive – Dental insurance isn’t necessarily expensive. In fact, many plans are budget-friendly and cover routine preventive care like cleanings and check-ups. These exams are valuable and can catch issues early to help avoid more costly treatments later.
- It’s only for major issues - Those who believe paying out-of-pocket for regular exams is easier may not realize that an unexpected dental procedure can be costly. According to GoodRx, a dental cleaning without insurance can cost between $75 to $200. A root canal can cost between $700 to $2,100. Without coverage, even basic care can become a major unplanned expense.
Why have dental insurance?
When you realize all the benefits of coverage, it's easy to understand the true value of dental insurance:
Dental insurance keeps dental care affordable
Without dental insurance, you pay the full price for everything. With a Delta Dental of Iowa plan, you get access to discounted rates and coverage that helps lower out-of-pocket expenses. Preventive care, like check-ups and cleanings, is often covered at 100 percent, and insurance helps lower the cost of bigger procedures, too.
Dental insurance helps catch problems early
Because dental insurance focuses on preventive care, people with coverage are more likely to stay on top of regular visits. This helps dentists find and treat problems early on before they develop into more severe issues.
Dental insurance can save time
Between researching dentists, pricing services, and scheduling an appointment, booking a visit can feel like a hassle. Delta Dental of Iowa helps simplify things with easy online tools for members, including:
Offering dental insurance helps employees
If you’re an employer, offering dental benefits is one easy way to support your team’s health. Dental insurance is affordable, customizable, and supports employees. which can lead to greater productivity and less missed time from work.
Dental insurance is a good investment
Dental insurance does more than just lower your dental bills, it helps protect the health of you and your family. By lowering costs and encouraging routine checkups, dental coverage makes it easier to stay on top of preventive care and catch issues before they become more serious and costly.
Explore your options and find a plan that fits your needs and your budget today.