Like medical insurance, dental insurance protects you and your family from unexpected dental expenses, and helps keep you healthy by making regular checkups and treatments more affordable.   Coverage is available for a specific premium, and you are able to select the best plan design to fit your needs; there are a few differences between dental plans that you should be aware of when applying for dental insurance:

• Network: which dentists are available to you "in network" and "out of network"
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Claims: how are your dental treatments paid for?

Most dental plans operate with a network of dentists.  The dentists "in network" will provide services at pre-determined rates and typically process your claims for you.  "In network" dentists that have joined the dental plan, usually offer services at a lower cost than "out of network" dentists.  These dentists vary from plan and carrier; if you have a dentist that you prefer, be sure to search the plans directory to see if he/she is "in network."   (PPO, DPO, DHMO, Prepaid Dental Plan)

There are other dental plans that do not operate with a network.  Typically you will need to pay for your treatment in full and upfront, process your own claims, and wait for the carrier to reimburse you.  The advantage to choosing one of these plans though is that you can see any dentist you prefer, regardless of the network they have contracted with.  (Most Indemnity or Fee-for-Service Plans).