That tooth is hurting again, but a look at the budget convinces you to wait just a little longer before seeing the dentist. Dental work is already expensive, and it seems like costs keep going up. According to the American Dental Association, the cost of dental care increased by $7 billion in 2024, which is up 4% from 2023.
Many American families have no dental care coverage. The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health estimates that about 72 million Americans have no dental insurance, which is three times more Americans than those who lack health insurance.
Because these families without dental insurance may also be in lower income brackets, the monthly premiums for insurance may be out of reach. For families asking what the best dental discount plan option looks like, dental discount plans, also called dental savings plans or dental discount programs, may be an affordable alternative to traditional insurance.
This guide will help you understand how a dental discount plan works, and whether it’s appropriate for your family’s needs.
What is the AmeriPlan Dental Discount Plan?
AmeriPlan’s Dental Plus Discount Plan is a nationwide program that can help families pay for a variety of dental care needs. Whether your family needs routine cleanings or major procedures, the plan offers immediate access to a network of over 100,000 providers across the country.
How the AmeriPlan Discount Dental Plan Works
A dental discount plan is not insurance. Rather than paying premiums and navigating coverage approvals, members pay a membership fee and receive a dental discount card (ID card), which they present to a participating dentist to access discounted prices.
For example, if a patient needs a root canal, the average fee is $1,201, with an additional $1,721 for a porcelain crown. With the AmeriPlan Dental Plus Discount Plan, that fee is reduced to $375 for the root canal (a savings of 68%), and $590 for the porcelain crown (a 65% discount). After payment, there is no further obligation.
Most dental discount plans activate within one to three business days, with some offering same-day emergency activation for patients who need urgent care right away.
What Makes AmeriPlan Different?
The AmeriPlan Dental Plus Discount is not a marketplace plan. What sets it apart from other dental coverage options is the simplicity and speed of the plan. It is a direct membership plan, and does not include any tax credits. There are no deductibles, no annual caps, and no waiting periods. The plan is simple to use and does not require the patient to file any additional paperwork with an insurance company.
The plan covers everyone in the household under a single membership fee. With over 100,000 participating providers nationwide, most families can find a network dentist close to home.
AmeriPlan members may also be able to bundle their dental plans with a telehealth and vision plan for additional savings on other healthcare services.
Services Included with AmeriPlan
A healthcare plan of any kind isn’t useful for a prospective patient until that patient knows what dental services are covered, and whether those services will benefit the patient and their family. Dental discount plans typically offer discounts ranging from 10% to 60% on a range of procedures, including preventive and major treatments. The range of services and discounts available can vary by plan and provider, so it’s important to review what’s included before making a decision.
Preventive Care
The AmeriPlan Dental Plus Plan covers these preventive services:
- Oral Exams
- Cleanings
- X-rays
While traditional dental insurance often covers preventive care at 100%, dental discount plans like AmeriPlan provide a percentage discount on these services, and you pay the reduced fee at the time of service.
These common dental procedures are also covered, such as:
- Routine Treatments: Extractions, fillings, sealants
- Major procedures: Root canals, crowns, dentures, some cosmetic procedures
One of the advantages of the AmeriPlan plan is transparent pricing. Knowing the price ahead of time can allow families to plan for involved or expensive procedures without surprises.
AmeriPlan also offers other healthcare services that patients can bundle with dental care for more savings, if necessary.
Why Choose AmeriPlan Dental Plus Plan for Your Family
AmeriPlan offers several advantages for families needing dental care.
- Affordable monthly pricing. Patients pay a set rate for the entire household. Whether one individual is covered, or six, or seven, the monthly rate is the same.
- Ease in budgeting. Because the monthly fee is set and the prices for procedures are available in advance, families can budget for basic and major care.
- Immediate access to care. Members can take advantage of coverage as soon as they pay their first membership fee. There’s no waiting period.
- Urgent needs can be treated immediately. Since there’s not a waiting period, members with dental emergencies can get care now.
- Pre-existing conditions are covered. Even if a patient has a long-standing dental issue, the discount plan still covers it.
- No paperwork. Other than the usual new patient paperwork, the patient will not have to file any other claims or forms in order to receive coverage.
- No age restrictions. Some insurance plans may or may not extend coverage, depending on the patient’s age. There are no age restrictions with AmeriPlan.
- No annual limits or annual maximums. Unlike traditional dental insurance, AmeriPlan does not impose annual maximums on benefits, so members can receive discounts on all services throughout the year without caps.
- No deductibles. Members save money on every visit, with no deductibles to meet before discounts apply.
How Much Can Families Save with AmeriPlan?
AmeriPlan offers a variety of discounts, depending on the procedure and provider. Dental discount plan members pay out-of-pocket for services at the time of treatment. These discounted rates may save families up to 82% on their dental bills.
The following examples show common procedures and how much members may save with the AmeriPlan Dental Plus Plan:
- Examinations: An initial office exam may run up to $150. AmeriPlan reduces that to $35. Periodic exams may be about $85. Patients pay $15 per exam with AmeriPlan.
- Cleanings: A cleaning can cost as much as $140, but patients pay $48 with AmeriPlan (a discount of 66%.)
- Orthodontic braces: Patients may pay $7,000 or more for braces for children or adults. The AmeriPlan fee schedule offers these services for $2,500-$2,600.
A family of four could save $260 just on routine exams, which pays the monthly membership fee several times over. Four cleanings would cost about $560 for out-of-pocket costs, while four cleanings at the discounted AmeriPlan rate would be $192, providing substantial savings.
AmeriPlan vs. Traditional Dental Insurance
Comparisons between a dental discount plan and a traditional dental insurance plan are helpful when choosing a plan for dental care. This list outlines some of those differences.
AmeriPlan Dental Plus Discount Plan
- Membership fee – Once the fee is paid, the whole household is covered.
- Instant savings – Savings start with the first appointment.
- No waiting period – This means emergency treatment is available now.
- Household coverage – One membership fee covers everyone living in the home, regardless of size.
Traditional Dental Insurance
- Monthly premiums – Families pay monthly premiums per family member, or a higher group rate than for a single patient.
- Deductibles – Some plans require deductibles before certain procedures are covered.
- Waiting period – Some dental insurance carriers require patients to wait for a certain amount of time (90 days is customary) to use their insurance.
- Coverage cap – Some plans cap coverage amounts (also known as annual maximums) per calendar year.
- Pre-approval – Some plans require a dentist to submit a care plan for a patient before approving coverage.
Pros and Cons of Dental Discount Plans
So what’s the catch? Not every discount plan is right for every family. When deciding when a dental discount plan is the right method of coverage for your family, consider these factors.
A dental discount plan works best for:
- Patients needing immediate care, or with pre-existing conditions
- Households on a budget or with a lower income
- Households with no employer benefits
Dental discount plans may have a limited number of dental specialists in their network, such as endodontists or oral surgeons. Availability of participating providers can also be more limited in rural areas, so families in those locations should check the network before enrolling. Whether dental savings plans are worth it depends on your family’s specific needs and location.
Traditional insurance may be a better choice for:
- Patients who already have a preferred dentist who is not in the discount plan network
- Those who need extensive oral surgery or procedures
Is AmeriPlan Right for My Family?
So what kind of coverage is best for your family? This checklist can help you make that decision.
- Is my current dentist in the AmeriPlan network? Check AmeriPlan to see a list of providers based on location, as discounts and services received can vary depending on the provider you choose.
- What will your family need in the upcoming year or so? Routine oral care? Are braces on the horizon? Oral surgery? Keep in mind that discounts will vary depending on the specific services received and the participating provider. Some extensive procedures may be better suited to traditional insurance depending on your coverage needs.
- Will your family use the plan enough to compensate for the monthly fee?
Making the Decision
The AmeriPlan Dental Discount Plan offers a straightforward, budget-friendly alternative to traditional insurance that’s especially beneficial for households on a tight budget. The plan includes clear-cut membership fees, immediate access to care, and discounts on many services, including extractions, fillings, and preventive treatments.
However, patients and families should remember that AmeriPlan isn’t insurance. It won’t cover some procedures or reimburse you after the fact. The value comes from upfront savings, clear pricing, and ease of use.
Review participating dentists in your area and estimate your potential savings. Taking the time to run the numbers can help you make a confident, informed decision about your family’s dental care.
How do I Enroll My Family in the AmeriPlan Discount Dental Plan?
Enrolling a patient or family in the AmeriPlan Discount Plan is simple. Visit AmeriPlan and click “Enroll Now”, or call AmeriPlan at (800) 647-8421 for more information.
Patients can choose how many members to add, complete their enrollment, pay the membership fee, and get their ID number. They can then easily schedule an appointment with a dentist in the network.
Explore the AmeriPlan Dental Discount Plan and see how much your family could save on dental care today.