Whats the difference between a dental plan and a dental insurance ?!

Whats the difference between a dental plan and a dental insurance ?

Dental insurance simply means you have a program where you get help paying for dental work. Usually, you pay premiums to have the program, but you may not have to pay anything, as it may be covered by your employer, or it may be that you are on someone else's insurance as a dependent.

A dental plan is the actual description of benefits that you get with your dental insurance, and it varies from company to company, or even inside of the same company. For instance, some dental plans pay for two cleanings each year, and you don't pay anything for those. Other plans have you pay a small fee for each cleaning. Some plans will charge you a set fee (called a co-pay), like $35, for each cavity you have filled in the calendar year. Other plans will pay on a percentage basis, with the plan paying 80% of all charges, and you paying the other 20%.

So, insurance is just that, insurance, where you have a program which helps cover dental expenses. The actual dental plan is the benefits you are allowed by your insurance company. Since they vary widely, you should probably find out just what is covered on your dental plan before you go to the dentist. You need to know what you will be paying so you can make informed decisions about your care.