Her Situation: Mary is in her 50s. For several years now she has been postponing necessary dental care because of the economy. Lately, the economy is improving, and it is now time for her to take care of her dental problems. Because she has had to postpone treatment, many of the conditions in her mouth have progressed. She came back into the office complaining of discomfort in one of the teeth previously identified for treatment. She has a number of old large silver amalgam fillings in her mouth that are failing because of new cavities and cracks in the teeth. Her needs include a total of five crowns, several new white fillings and treatment for gum disease. Treatment costs for the necessary dental care were estimated to be $8760. She had an existing insurance policy. In addition, she has been unhappy with her smile for years and is considering cosmetic dental procedures for her upper front teeth in addition to the other necessary treatment to restore her dental health. Costs for the cosmetic procedures (new crowns and cosmetic gum contouring), is estimated to be $7200. This brings the total cost of her necessary and elective cosmetic dental care to $15,960.

Her solution: Unfortunately, her insurance has a yearly maximum benefit of $1000 - a drop in the bucket compared to her total treatment costs. It was suggested that she use Direct Dental Savings to offset much of the cost of care. Let’s look at the numbers. With her dental insurance, her out-of-pocket expenses would be $14,960 ($15,960 -$1000 contributed by her insurance). Her insurance will not cover payment for any of the cosmetic dentistry. With Direct Dental Savings she will save 30% of the $8760 (necessary care) and 20% of the $7200 (elective cosmetic treatment) or $2628 plus $1440 for a total of $4068. So by using Direct Dental Savings, she is able to save over $4000 on a combination of necessary and cosmetic dental care. Can’t do that with her insurance!

Bottom Line: Direct Dental Savings saved Mary $4068 or $3068 more than her insurance!

Her Situation: She is in her mid-30s. She has had irregular dental care over the past 12 to 15 years since she has been away from her parents and out on her own. She takes pretty good care of her mouth and presents to the office with increasing pain and sensitivity on a particular tooth. After examination, it was determined that she has a very large cavity in one specific tooth that is affecting the nerve inside the tooth and has eaten away a large portion of the tooth structure. In addition, she has a number of other cavities, which need to be taken care of to restore health. Unfortunately, the problematic tooth is going to need a root canal, buildup and crown for restoration. Total estimated cost for all her treatment (problem tooth plus several other fillings) will be approximately $2942. In addition, Jane feels guilty that she has not taken regular care of her teeth and wants to establish a regular dental care program so that she is not faced with problems like this in the future. Fortunately, for her, other than the one bad tooth and several other fillings, her mouth is in good shape. She should be able to maintain dental health with a twice a year cleaning and checkup routine.

Her solution: She was aware that she needed dental care, so she had purchased insurance through her employer. Unfortunately, when her insurance coverage was analyzed, several (but significant) limitations were found in her insurance policy. Since she had recently purchased the insurance, the insurance company stipulated a mandatory one-year waiting period before they would pay for major dental care (in her case this meant the root canal, buildup and crown she needed to restore the one bad tooth-the largest portion of her treatment costs). In addition, it was determined that her insurance policy did not pay for procedures based upon the dentist’s actual fees, rather, payment would be made based upon a maximum schedule of fee allowances stipulated by the insurance company. It was discovered that this schedule of fee allowances was significantly lower than the average fees charged by dentists in the geographic area where she was seeking treatment (approximately 45% lower). In other words, this meant that even if she waited until her insurance would pay for major treatment, the insurance company payment would be significantly less than the percentage stipulated since the insurance company’s allowable fee maximum was approximately half of the common dental charge. Further, since Jane was serious about restoring her dental health and maintaining regular cleanings, she realized that all of the reimbursements from her insurance company towards routine annual cleanings, checkups and x-rays would be deducted from her annual maximum insurance payment allowance. Jane was frustrated over her insurance situation and asked for advice. It was suggested she consider the Direct Dental Savings plan for several reasons. First, she would be able to take advantage of significant savings on her treatment immediately. Direct Dental Savings has no waiting period. Second, the savings (discount) is calculated based upon the dentist’s actual fees charged (not some arbitrarily calculated reduced fee schedule). Third, Direct Dental Savings includes free regular cleanings, checkup exams and x-rays. Since Direct Dental Savings has no annual maximum benefit, the discounts on annual care are not deducted from an annual maximum benefit. Finally, Direct Dental Savings would allow Jane to save more money even if the insurance was fully in effect.

Bottom Line: In Jane’s situation, Direct Dental Savings was a superior choice for many reasons!

His Situation: He presented to the office with several failing teeth. It was determined that three teeth could not be saved and were in need of extraction. After extensive discussion regarding treatment options, it was decided that of the three teeth only two would be replaced with dental implants. Consequently, he was in need of three extractions and wanted to have two of these teeth replaced with dental implants. Total cost of care was approximately $10,200. Because of his particular situation, the two dental implants are both going to need custom fabricated implant abutments (posts) in order to give him the best functional and cosmetic result. Custom implant abutments are more costly than the prefabricated abutments supplied with some dental implants; however, in many situations a custom abutment allows for improved cosmetic and functional results which many dentists feel improves the success rate and long-term predictability of the restoration. He had dental insurance.

His Solution: Unfortunately, after checking with his insurance company, dental implants were not covered. Dental implants are a common treatment exclusion from dental insurance plans. This situation was a no-brainer. The Direct Dental Savings plan was suggested in order to save him significant costs involved with his care. Dental implants and cosmetic dentistry are both included in the savings (discount) offered by the Direct Dental Savings plan. With Direct Dental Savings, he could save 20% of the $10,200 for a total saving of $2040.

Bottom Line: He was able to save a significant amount of money with the Direct Dental Savings plan where his insurance would contribute absolutely nothing!

Her Situation: She has been a patient in the office for several years. Her mouth is generally in good to very good condition, and she is not in need of any immediate mandatory dental care at this time. However, she is aware that we have been watching several teeth that will need future restorations (possibly crowns). For right now, all she needs is twice a year routine cleanings, checkups and checkup x-rays at an appropriate interval. She is very prevention oriented and understands the benefit of fluoride treatment at all of her cleaning appointments. Over the past several years, she has been in the office on two occasions regarding specific emergency concerns. She has had dental insurance for some years but is annoyed that her dental insurance seems to cover less and less each year.

Her Solution: After checking her insurance coverage, several insurance limitations were discovered. First, her insurance company would not pay anything for the application of fluoride in adults. Second, the insurance company stipulated that they would pay for her cleanings and checkups exams at 80%. However, the insurance company’s reimbursement was based upon their maximum fee schedule allowance-which happened to be significantly lower than the average fees charged by dentists in that geographic area for cleanings and checkups exams. Consequently, this meant that her reimbursements for her cleanings and checkup exams were not 80% of actual fees charged but 80% of a much lower maximum allowable fee schedule stipulated by her insurance company. This actually calculated to approximately a 60% reimbursement for cleaning and checkup exams. It was suggested she consider Direct Dental Savings. With the Direct Dental Savings plan, she was able to receive two free cleanings with free fluoride applications, two free checkup exams, her annual checkup x-rays and one free emergency exam with an x-ray per year.

Bottom Line: She was able to save more with Direct Dental Savings than her insurance plan with fewer hassles, less confusion and no funny math.

His Situation: He has had trouble with his teeth all of his life. He has lost multiple teeth in both his upper and lower jaws and now wears partial dentures. Because of infrequent dental care and continuing problems, he now needs to have the remaining teeth in his upper jaw extracted and a maxillary (upper) complete denture. Total treatment costs with the extractions, surgery necessary to reshape the bone in his upper jaw and placement of the initial maxillary denture are approximately $3400. In addition, because of his particular situation, he anticipates that he will need to have the same treatment done in the lower jaw within the next six months. He wanted to complete the dentures one at a time. However, he will be facing similar treatment cost in the near future for the lower denture.

His Solution: He does not have any dental insurance at the present time. He has been looking at policies but is very confused about all the different options. He remarked that it is not clear what he will be able to save with the insurance policies, and even if they cover his treatment, he will be faced with costs well beyond what the insurance maximum allowed. It was suggested he consider the Direct Dental Savings plan. With the Direct Dental Savings plan he will save 30% off of the total treatment cost of his maxillary denture treatment (extractions, surgery and the denture). This $1020 savings would max out most dental insurance plans leaving nothing left for treatment of his lower arch. However, since he is anticipating treatment of his mandibular arch soon, with the Direct Dental Savings plan, he will save 30% off of the cost of that treatment as well. Remember, Direct Dental Savings has no annual maximum benefit limitation.

Bottom Line: He is far better off with Direct Dental Savings!

Her Situation: She moved several years ago from up north. She has been very busy with the transition, trying to stay on her feet with the economy and financial concerns and unfortunately has not had the time for routine dental care. She is now trying to establish with a local dentist because she has noticed sore tender gums and occasional bleeding when she brushes or flosses her teeth. Examination revealed moderate to advanced periodontal disease affecting many of her teeth. Her teeth are in generally good condition, but she has a significant gum problem. Unfortunately, it is anticipated that she will need a full round of both nonsurgical and surgical periodontal (gum) treatment in order to keep her teeth, restore health and stop the ongoing deterioration of her gums and jawbone. It is estimated that her treatment costs will be approximately $5960 over the next six months.

Her Solution: She had lost her dental insurance when she moved. She has been looking into dental insurance policies but realizes that many insurance policies have a one-year waiting period for periodontal surgery as they consider it major care. She is upset, concerned about her dental health and keeping her teeth and uncertain about her options. The Direct Dental Savings plan was suggested. With Direct Dental Savings, there is no waiting period, no annual maximum, she can begin treatment immediately, and she will save approximately 30% of her total treatment costs.

Bottom Line: She will save 30% of $5960 = $1788 with the Direct Dental Savings plan! She couldn’t do that with any of the insurance plans she examined.

Her Situation: She had recently noticed that one of her old fixed bridges (originally completed about 20 years ago) seemed loose. She was unhappy with her previous dentist and in talking with some of her friends had been referred to the office for evaluation. Examination revealed that an old three-unit fixed bridge was now loose on one of the teeth holding or anchoring it in her mouth. Her best course of action would be to have the old three-unit bridge removed, clean the decay out, repair the damaged tooth and replace the three unit bridge with a new one. The total cost estimate was $3762. She had no dental insurance.

Her Solution: It was suggested that she purchase the Direct Dental Savings plan. The plan would save her 30% of the $3762 =$1128.60. She had asked about whether it would be worthwhile for her to check into insurance policies. As an office, we firmly believe that the more information someone has about any situation the better off they will be. After several weeks, she had called the office explaining that she checked into many policies and because of one limitation or another, none of them could save her as much money as the Direct Dental Savings plan and most of the insurance policies had a long waiting period before they would pay anything on the bridge because it was considered major dental work.

Bottom Line: After checking many options, she decided that the Direct Dental Savings plan was by far her best choice because it would save her the most money and allow her to start treatment immediately! In addition, the Direct Dental Savings plan allowed her to get two cleanings, two fluoride applications, two check-up exams and appropriate yearly x-rays for free during the year – over and above the cost savings on her bridge.

His Situation: He is a local professional with a wife and three teenage children. His annual dental premiums for insurance were approximately $1460 for the family. Worse yet, he has noticed over the past several years that coverage on his insurance seems to be lower. His perception is that the percentage the insurance company pays on routine fillings for his children, the family’s routine annual checkup cleanings and x-rays, and on a crown his wife recently needed has been reduced. He feels like his dental insurance premiums are going up every year, and the actual dollar reimbursement rate on any treatment has been going down. He is also frustrated that the insurance company is now stipulating that he must see a dentist from the list the insurance company provides, or it will cost him even more money. He tried that once, and didn’t like the dentist or the office. He doesn’t want everyone in his family to have to change dentists when they have confidence and trust in their current dentist. He is very frustrated and feels like he has been taken advantage of by the insurance company. He asked for advice.

His Solution: The Direct Dental Savings plan was suggested. Total annual membership costs for his family (he and his wife + three teenage children) were $1428. Even though there was only a slight difference in the annual premium/membership costs, with Direct Dental Savings all of the family’s annual cleanings, fluoride applications, checkup exams and x-rays were free. There was no additional copayment necessary for each person’s routine care like his insurance plan required. This meant that he would save over $300 on his family’s routine yearly dental care by eliminating the copayments. He would have no additional out of pocket expense for any annual routine care with Direct Dental Savings and if any of his family members need treatment, he will save 30% off all dental care completed in the office.

Bottom Line: He was very pleased to have the option of Direct Dental Savings!