It’s estimated that 69% of adults from 35 to 44 years old have lost at least one permanent tooth. When a person loses a tooth — whether because of a severe cavity, mouth injury, or another issue — a dentist can replace it with a dental implant, bridge, crown, or dentures. These procedures are considered “major” by most dental insurance companies, meaning they’re more costly (both for them and the member) than a routine cleaning or even a filling.
Under a dental plan with a missing tooth clause, insurance won’t cover the cost of the replacement procedure if the tooth was extracted or fell out before the current coverage began for the member. To put it in health insurance terms, it’s similar to a pre-existing condition. Members who have a plan with a missing tooth clause would then have to pay for the procedure out of pocket, which can create a financial challenge.
At Total Benefit Solutions we work with dental insurers that do not utilize the missing tooth clause like Beam Dental. Ask us today to provide a quote for beam Dental for your small employer group and we can work together to determine if it’s a good fit for your dental insurance.