DentalPlans.com Offers Americans Open Enrollment All Yearlong

PLANTATION, FL--(Marketwired - April 04, 2014) - With open-enrollment closed for the Affordable Health Care marketplace, millions of Americans are still left without dental insurance, including adults, children, and seniors. So where can the one-third of Americans that still need affordable dental care options go to get access to affordable dental care?

Dental savings plans are an easy to use, cost effective, and affordable alternative to dental insurance, designed for individuals, families and groups looking to save money on their dental care needs. Members pay a low annual fee for access to a network of participating dentists, who have agreed to charge less for their services for plan members. As a plan member you simply show your membership card when visiting any of the 140,000+ participating dentists (more than 75 percent of the practicing dentists in America) to receive dental procedures at a reduced price that's up to 10 to 60 percent off. Services may include annual cleanings, x-rays, crowns, root canals, and even cosmetic and orthodontic procedures, which are not typically covered by insurance. And depending on the plan you choose, savings on vision and prescriptions are available as well.

The benefits of a dental savings plan includes savings up to 60 percent off what you would pay without a savings plan or insurance, no waiting to use your plan, no forms to file, no health restrictions, no limit on how often you can use your plan, and open enrollment all year long. Even if you already have dental insurance, the dental savings plans may be used along with your dental insurance for more savings, once your annual maximums have been met. The savings can be significant. For example:

Example savings:
Plan: Careington Care 500 Series
Scenario: Two Adults and Two Dependent Children
Annual Family Membership Fee: $189.95

		Typical Dentist Fee		Sample Reduced Fee		Total Savings
Routine 6 Month Check-up		$73/person		$19/person		$216 for four
Adult Teeth Cleaning		$122/adult		$39/adult		$166 for two
Child Teeth Cleaning		$84/child		$31/child		$106 for two
Four Bitewing X-Rays		$80/person		$26/person		$216 for four
Total Savings						$704*

Using the Careington Care 500 Series plan, which costs a low annual fee of $189.95, a family of four could save $626 on their annual ADA recommended treatments alone. That's $436 in savings, when including the cost of the plan. And the savings can really add up when considering additional dental care that may be needed for you and your family, like sealants for children's teeth, crowns, braces, and more.

Dental care is critical to a person's overall health. Adult dental issues are linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, poor pregnancy outcomes, and dementia. And tooth decay is the number one childhood illness, causing malnourishment, infections, and surgery leading to problems eating, speaking, and learning, according to the National Children's Oral Health Foundation.

The ACA fell short in covering this gap for Americans when it comes to their dental care. As an alternative, dental savings plans have become a more popular choice for Americans. According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), sweeping changes in dental coverage will result in approximately 30 to 40 million people entering the dental benefits market and another 10 to 20 million people will either lose or change their current benefits plan.

"Quality dental care should be accessible and affordable to everyone," says Jennifer Stoll, president of DentalPlans.com. "Oral and vision care are an essential part of a person's overall health and well-being and lack of coverage can really impact your quality of life."

DentalPlans.com has been providing dental savings plans since 1999. The company offers an extensive selection of comprehensive dental savings plans from the nation's most trusted networks, like Aetna and Careington, and more than 140,000 dentists to choose from nationwide. Participating dental specialists include orthodontists, oral surgeons, periodontitis, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and general dentists. DentalPlans.com also offers savings plans for vision, hearing, chiropractic, and pharmaceutical services.

About DentalPlans.com
DentalPlans.com has successfully been operating as a private exchange since 1999, as the leading marketplace of dental savings plans. Similar to a membership at a warehouse club, consumers pay an annual fee and get access to reduced rates on dental services and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontia, as well as vision and pharmacy. Members can choose from more than 30 different plans from trusted healthcare brands, like Aetna, Careington, Signature Wellness, and UNI-CARE, and have access to more than 140,000 dentists in combined networks nationwide. DentalPlans.com has affordable plans to fit any need and budget. And, depending on the plan you choose, consumers save 10 to 60 percent off services. Visitors of DentalPlans.com can compare plans by ZIP code or procedure, view sample savings and find a nearby dentist. DentalPlans.com is committed to making you smile, by making access to quality oral healthcare affordable and available to everyone nationwide. It's one of the reasons the company has been on the Inc. 5000 list, 3 years standing. To connect with DentalPlans.com, visit us at www.dentalplans.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dentalplans.

*Individual plans vary.
*Regular cost is based on the national average of the 80th percentile usual and customary rates as detailed in the 2013 FairHealth Report in the Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago and New York City metropolitan statistical areas.
*These fees represent the average of the assigned Careington Care 500 Series fees in the Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago and New York City metropolitan statistical areas.
Prices subject to change.

1. Source: BenefitsPro, Dental plans find cavities in exchange stats, by Allison Bell, Feb. 21, 2014