Seeing the dentist is important for you and your ohana’s overall health, and it’s recommended that appointments be scheduled for every 6 months.
Having dental coverage can help cover appointment costs, but it’s important to understand that certain plans work better with certain dentists – specifically, dentists who are in-network.
To help clarify any network confusion, refer to these FAQs:
1. Do my benefits work at any dentist office?
Not necessarily. Dental coverage is maximized when you visit a dentist in a provider’s network; otherwise your plan may not cover treatments if a dentist is out-of-network.
2. What does it mean for a dentist to be “in network?”
An in-network provider is one that is under contract with a dental benefits company for reimbursement at a negotiated rate. This means that the dentist agrees to never charge patients more than the fees determined by the contract.
3. What’s the benefit of seeing a network dentist?
Rates are negotiated between the benefits company and dentist to provide the lowest cost possible to the patient. Conversely, because out-of-network dentists are not under contact, they can charge patients at any rate. This could mean higher out-of-pocket costs for you as a patient.
Bonus: Most dental plans almost, if not completely, cover preventative services like your 6-month cleaning. This is not guaranteed if you visit an out-of-network dentist.
4. How can I find a network dentist?
Good news! 95% of the dentists in Hawaii are in our network. And if you happen to visit the mainland, Delta Dental has the largest provider network in the country with nearly 145,000 participating dentists. Use our dentist search to find a network dentist closest to you.
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[…] of preventive services you need and follow through with making appointments. You should visit the dentist at least once a year for cleanings and checkups. If you find out you’ll need additional dental work, like fillings or […]