Having to go out and buy insurance for dental services is very common. Many employers don’t offer dental insurance as part of their benefits packages, so even if you work for a giant company, you may not have the dental coverage you need.

That’s why individual dental insurance plans are so popular!

However, you probably don’t know a whole lot about insurance – and you probably don’t know what separates a good dental plan from a bad one. If that’s the case, make sure you understand these 4 things before you sign up for any dental plan insurance:

1.The difference between an HMO and a PPO

You’ll hear all kinds of different abbreviations when you shop for individual dental insurance, but the two most common are HMO and PPO. Both types of coverage come with some great benefits. The key is to know what each one means, and understand how each one can help you. You may discover that one fits your specific needs better than the other

2.What deductibles mean

When most people sign up for individual dental insurance, they think that the insurance company is going to pay for all of their services and treatment. However, that’s not always the case. Many dental plans come with a deductible – or, an amount that you have to pay out first, before the insurance company starts paying for anything.

If, for example, your deductible is $1,000, you have to pay that money yourself, before your insurance benefits kick in. Lots of individual dental insurance plans can come with very low premiums because they come with high deductibles. So, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you know what your deductible is – and whether you feel comfortable with it.

3.Whether the basics are covered

Most people need insurance for dental purposes that are very basic – like routine check-ups, teeth cleanings, and x-rays. If you don’t have major dental issues – and you’re just looking for dental insurance that can help you pay for the basics – make sure they’re all covered. The last thing you want is to find out that your dental plan insurance doesn’t cover “preventative” or “routine” services!

4.How your family fits into the mix
Chances are if you don’t have any dental coverage, then neither does anyone else in your family. You might be able to get a reduced rate by getting a family plan, instead of individual dental insurance. Or, it might be more affordable to simply add the members of your family onto your dental plan insurance later. Just remember that there are a few options for getting family coverage, so investigate all of them before you make a decision!