I need to understand how dental insurance works. I have a dental insurance PPO plan through my job, but it could be better. I am considering removing it and getting just the medical. Why have insurance if you have to pay the dentist?

Reply: Medical insurance has a cost paid out by the insured too. Dental insurance is designed to make dental care more affordable, not necessarily free. You may not think dental care without insurance is so bad, but to give you an example of how even in preventive care, dental insurance is worth the cost of having it. Say all you need is preventative care. Without insurance, preventive care costs (Office visits, Bite-wing X-rays, Oral Exam, and Basic Cleaning) can range around $200 – $400, keeping in mind most low-cost HMOs plan range from $8.00 to $20.00 a month with preventive care typical being free. More extensive dental care services become expensive when you don’t have dental insurance.