If you’ve ever had dental insurance and still been shocked by a big bill, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most confusing parts of personal finance and healthcare, and honestly, the frustration makes sense.
The issue isn’t that dental plans are useless. It’s that they’re labeled as something they’re not.
What Insurance Is Supposed to Do
Real insurance exists to protect you from financial devastation.
Car insurance covers major accidents.
Home insurance covers fires and storms.
Health insurance steps in when the bills get scary.
You pay a predictable monthly amount, so an unexpected, expensive event doesn’t wreck your finances.
That’s the transfer of risk. That’s insurance.
Dental Plans Don’t Work That Way
Most dental plans come with an annual maximum, usually around $1,000–$2,000. Surprisingly, that number hasn’t really changed in decades.
Once you hit that maximum, the plan is done helping…and the rest is on you.
If you need a crown, a root canal, or multiple procedures in the same year, you can burn through that “coverage” fast. True insurance doesn’t stop paying once expenses get expensive.
It’s Built for Maintenance, Not Emergencies
Dental plans work well when it comes to predictable care:
That’s important stuff. Preventive care matters.
But it’s also expected care. You’re essentially prepaying for routine services at a discounted rate, not insuring against financial devastation.
When major work shows up, the plan usually covers:
- 50% at best
- After waiting periods
- With frequency limits
- And a long list of exclusions
That’s not how we believe insurance should work.
