We get a lot of calls from Arizona residents needing dental insurance that are unsure of what to purchase.
There are a number of things to consider when searching.
1. Do you currently have a dentist you like and want to keep?
This is the most important step. Many dental plans include a network and do not cover out-of-network services. If you have a dentist you like and want to keep, find out what dental insurance plans he accepts. If he or she says none, there are still dental insurance plans that will pay for out-of-network procedures, but you might try negotiating with your dentist’s office first. You may find that the costs balance out and you don’t need dental insurance. Once you’ve determined which insurance your dentist accepts, you can then search our Arizona Dental Plans page for the plan and apply.
2. Do you need major work done right away?
With auto insurance and health insurance, if you wait to purchase after you need it, your need usually won’t be covered. However, with dental insurance, there are two types of plans – true Dental Insurance and Dental Discount Plans. With true Dental Insurance, you’ll usually have to wait 12 months before anything major is covered. At that point it’s usually covered at 50% after you pay your deductible. With a Dental Discount Plan, you’ll have no waiting period for major services, no deductible, and a lower monthly premium or rate. If you need dental work done right away, do not look to true Dental Insurance Plans. Look at the the Dental Discount Plans, such as EDS and the TDA Copay Plan, on our Arizona Dental Plans page.
I just want to start seeing a dentist.
In this case, the most important thing you can do is find a dentist you want to use. There are three ways to do this.
- Get recommendations from people. Friends, family, coworkers, your health insurance broker – ask around. Then go back to step 1.
- Search the internet and read reviews.
- Use the Dental Provider Network search links at the bottom of each plan’s listing on our Arizona Dental Insurance Plans page for the plan(s) you’re interested in. Locate a dentist in your area, and research that dentist in particular.
Once you’ve found the dentist you want to use, you can then purchase the plan using one of the links on our Arizona Dental Insurance Plans page.
Of course, you can always do it the backwards way that I did: purchase a dental discount plan; find a dentist in the network; make appointment and be horrified by the facilities; select new dentist based on recommendation from family; be content with new dentist. 
Seeing as how the average patient with traditional dental insurance pays something like 50% out-of-pocket for dental procedures while those with a discount plan usually end up paying something like 70% out-of-pocket, at as little as $7 per month discount plans are usually the best bet.
Typically, Arizona Indemnity plans offer a broader selection of dental care providers than managed-care plans. With an indemnity plan, the carrier pays for covered services only after it receives a bill, which means that you may have to pay up front and then obtain reimbursement from your insurance carrier later.
Good article; your advice holds true for everyone, not just in Arizona. Unexpected dental work can very quickly add up into thousands of dollars, it’s important to get health insurance coverage that covers dental care.