Each dental care plan includes three basic services including preventive dental care services, basic dental care services as well as major dental care services. Generally, every dental insurance policy covers most of the preventive services, fewer basic services and the least amount of major services. This is why the kind of dental care service that you are opting for in your plan is crucial as you need one that provides you the best value for your money and at the same time takes care of your oral health. People who have healthy gums and teeth and practice good oral hygiene do not need a plan that covers more than preventive and basic services. However, people with a history of oral health problems need greater insurance coverage for their procedures which is why they must include both basic and major dental care services in their plan.
It is important to gain a thorough understanding of the difference between basic and major dental care services. Essential information like what are the services covered and the benefits provided must be learnt before opting for a dental care plan.The type of insurance policy you are opting for also requires a bit of research. There are plans which cover a significant part of the amount that is to be paid to the healthcare provider as well as policies which require co-payment from the recipient of services itself.
The key difference between basic and major dental care services is as follows:
- Basic dental care services
Basic dental services are those wherein the treatments and procedures are quite routine and straightforward. They are also simple to perform and do not require the dentist to rent or purchase significant lab equipment.
- Insurance policies compatible with basic dental care services
Most PPO insurance plans cover the services included in basic dental service at a rate of about 70 to 80 percent of the cost. However, these benefits are only available when plan owners have met their deductibles.
On the other hand, HMO plans require copayment when these services are received by a patient with a basic plan.
Basic Dental Services Include : Emergency care for pain relief, amalgam fillings, composite fillings (white fillings), sedative fillings, routine tooth extractions, periodontal scaling and root planing, re-cementing dental crowns as prefabricated stainless steel crowns, non-routine x rays.
- Why are Basic Dental Care Services Important
Oral health experts emphasize on the fact that basic services are as important as early diagnosis and prevention. This is because if there is a dental problem that you have spotted early on, it is important to fix it so that it doesn’t grow into a bigger one.
If you delay the treatment and think the pain will subside and go away on its own, then you will only be compounding your problems. In order to not increase both the suffering and cost of a more extensive procedure later on, it is a good idea to opt for a dental care plan wherein the basic dental care services are included.
- Major Dental Care Services
Major dental services are the ones wherein the treatments and procedures are more extensive and elaborate with the service provider incurring dental laboratory expense. The treatment is done by specialists who have mastered a particular area within the vast field of dentistry.
Insurance policies compatible with major services
Patients with an indemnity or PPO insurance policy can be compensated for 50 percent of the amount for their procedure provided they have met their deductibles. Insurance policies come with a maximum benefits limit as well which sets a cap on the maximum amount your insurance company will pay.
Similar to basic services, major dental services also require copayment.
Major Dental Services Include: Onlays and inlays, bridgework, dental crown, tooth implants, wisdom teeth removal, complex oral surgery, sedation and anesthesia, partial denture removal, complete dentures, denture relines and rebases, orthodontic treatment denture repair.
- Why are the Major Dental Services important ?
Major dental care is important to help alleviate your pain with costly procedures like dental crown and wisdom teeth removal covered in your insurance plan. Oral health problems that persist for a long time can be devastating for you and your loved ones, which is why it is important to have a dental care plan that includes major dental services to stay orally healthy even in old age.
