HOW TO KEEP YOUR GRIN LOOKING GREAT WHILE SAVING SOME GREEN

According to Delta Dental, a dental insurance firm, good oral health contributes significantly to an individual's overall health and well-being. Obesity, diabetes, and other diseases are all prevented in some manner by regular dental care. As a result, about 75% of Americans have dental health insurance. Bringing it home to Nigeria, receiving dental treatment can be quite pricey. Even the most basic cleaning may cost you a lot of money. Having adequate dental insurance will make the difference between delaying vital oral healthcare or surviving with gum disease or a mouthful of cavities.

What exactly is dental insurance?

Dental insurance, as the name implies, is a form of coverage meant to address the expense of dental care. Policyholders often pay premiums to gain access to coverage unless it is provided for free, as is common with employer-sponsored plans. The dental health benefits package under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is so limited that many procedures that could be reimbursed for tooth caries treatment are not. All of this will undoubtedly have an impact on the fair supply of dental caries treatment services, limiting access for low-income populations.

The Association of Private Dental Practitioners of Nigeria has urged the federal government to include dental health as primary care in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) rather than secondary care, which it claims makes it less accessible to Nigerians.

During the association’s Second Annual General Meeting in Lagos, in July 2017, the president in person of Dr. Ebere Nwauzor stated that the NHIS was built in such a way that it was unfavorable to Nigerians in need of dental care. Further stating that if dental care is classified as primary care, an average Nigerian with a toothache may go to a dental facility in his or her town and receive care even if they do not have money, as long as they are on the plan.

Getting coverage through your company is usually the most cost-effective alternative. However, it is feasible to purchase dental insurance on your own and receive a better rate. And there are three popular ways to obtain dental health insurance:

- As part of a medical insurance package

- As an independent policy

- As add-ons to health insurance policies

The recurring question is, Who is the best insurance company to consider or choose to run your dental insurance?

There are several dental insurance companies from which to choose. There are both pricey and inexpensive ones. It is critical to compare insurance companies and dentists.

Different dental coverage companies charge various prices for coverage and offer a wide range of plan terms as part of their insurance packages. This notion also relates to dentists and how much they charge for their services. Some dental health insurance firms in Nigeria include Reliable HMO, AXA Mansard Health Insurance, AVON Healthcare, Hygeia Health Insurance and so on.

It is in your best interest to be proactive in looking around for the most suitable coverage and oral health provider to ensure you are obtaining the best bargain on insurance coverage and dental services.

Many people who pay for dental insurance simply do not understand or use all of the advantages that come with their plan. In order to understand dental insurance plans, you must ask: 

What are the fees associated with my plan's deductible?

My dental insurance plan covers what treatments?

Does my dental insurance have any restrictions or maximums?

What dental clinics accept my insurance?

Your insurance provider will answer many of these questions.

Nonetheless, you can get dental care without dental insurance. It is not necessary to have dental insurance in order to obtain care, although it can help with the costs of preventative care. In actuality, insurance coverage or lack thereof shouldn't ever be a barrier to a patient receiving the treatment they require to maintain healthy teeth and gums and ward against decay and illness.

Tarinabo Sounyo