Nobody likes going to the dentist to begin with, but doing so doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Many individual policies today incorporate a dental rider to help keep your smile bright.

-Typically, what do individual dental policies cover? The majority of dental polices today promote individuals to tend to their preventive needs. What does this mean? Insurance companies more often or than not will cover the two yearly dental cleanings and annual X-rays at 100%.

-How do individual dental policies cover basic services; i.e., cavities and extractions? When basic services need to be performed, a separate calendar year deductible ranging from $25-$75 dollars applies. After the deductible, any basic services will be covered at a negotiated discounted price. These discounts will vary between insurance carrier and dental provider. Other companies may pay a set fee for a service; for example, an insurance company may contribute $100 towards an extraction, but the individual will be responsible for the remaining balance.

-Can individuals add a dental policy to their insurance plan at anytime? This option will vary between carriers. Although you may not be able to add a dental rider at any time, some providers allow you to keep you dental insurance even after dropping their health coverage.