Understanding the difference between dental insurance and dental discount plans

When deciding how to protect your smile and budget for future dental costs, it’s important to understand the difference between dental insurance and dental discount plans. These two types of plans may both help lower your dental expenses, but they work in fundamentally different ways.

Dental insurance and dental discount programs share the same goal, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for dental care, but they achieve it through very different structures.

How dental insurance works

Dental insurance operates much like health insurance. You pay a monthly premium, and in return, the plan helps cover a percentage of your dental care costs. Most plans include deductibles, annual maximums, and coverage tiers based on the type of care you receive.

Typical coverage looks like this:

• 100% of preventive care (checkups, cleanings, X-rays)

• 80% of basic care (fillings, extractions)

• 50% of major care (crowns, bridges, dentures)

Once your deductible is met, your insurance pays its share directly to the dentist. Some services may have waiting periods, but preventive care often starts right away, helping you keep up with regular cleanings and exams without delay.

How dental discount plans work

Dental discount plans (also called dental savings plans) are not insurance. Instead of paying premiums, members pay an annual or monthly membership fee to access discounted rates from participating dentists.

When you visit the dentist, you pay the discounted price directly to the provider at the time of service. There are:

• No deductibles or annual limits

• No claims process

• Immediate access to care

However, there’s no financial coverage or reimbursement, you’re responsible for 100% of the discounted cost. Discount plans typically have smaller networks and don’t help with large or unexpected expenses.

Think of it like a membership club: you get access to lower rates, but the plan doesn’t share in your costs.

Which is right for you?

If you want ongoing protection, predictable coverage, and help managing both routine and unexpected dental costs, a dental insurance plan generally offers more long-term value.

A dental discount plan might make sense if you:

• Need immediate dental care

• Only plan to visit the dentist for basic cleanings or exams

• Want a simple, pay-as-you-go approach

But if you’re looking for comprehensive coverage and peace of mind, dental insurance provides the stronger safety net. Below you can see the two options side by side.

Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Individual Plan options

If full dental benefits feels like the right choice for you, Delta Dental of Tennessee offers three individual and family plans designed to fit different budgets, coverage needs, and care priorities.

• Essential Advantage®
  Perfect for individuals who want to start with the basics. This plan covers 100% of preventive care and offers increasing benefits each year you stay enrolled. There are no waiting periods for most services, making it a great entry point for consistent dental care.

• Superior Advantage®
  A step up in coverage, the Superior Advantage plan includes higher annual maximums and broader coverage for restorative and major services. It’s ideal for individuals who want extra protection and value the rewards of long-term membership.

• Brighter Advantage®
  The most comprehensive option, Brighter Advantage adds coverage for cosmetic and orthodontic treatments like whitening and veneers. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in both functional and aesthetic dental benefits.

All three Delta Dental of Tennessee plans include:

• Access to one of the largest PPO networks in the state

• Simple online account management

• The option to add affordable vision coverage

Choosing the right option

When comparing your dental coverage options, ask yourself what matters most; immediate savings or lasting protection.

A dental discount plan can lower same-day costs but won’t protect you from unexpected expenses.
A Delta Dental of Tennessee benefits plan helps you prepare for both routine and major dental needs, with reliable coverage that grows with you over time.

For most Tennesseans, Delta Dental’s three individual plans strike the ideal balance between affordability, comprehensive coverage, and peace of mind, so you can focus on keeping your smile healthy for years to come.