Maximum Benefit

• Review each dental insurance plan you're choosing from to determine the maximum amount the plan will pay annually. Once the maximum payout has been distributed, you will no longer benefit from your dental insurance plan until a new year begins. For many dental insurance companies, the maximum amount a plan will pay annually is $1,000. By shopping around, you may find a plan that offers a higher annual payout.
  
  

Deductible

• Review the deductible. The deductible is the amount you must pay, in addition to your premiums, before your dental benefits kick in. If you don't want a lot of out-of-pocket expenses before benefits kick in, choose a plan that has a low deductible or no deductible.
  
  

Network Coverage

• Determine whether the dental insurance company requires you to visit dentists that are exclusively within the plan's network. If you are allowed to visit only in-network dentists, review the list of dentist in the network. By doing so, you can ensure that there are plenty of dentists for you to choose from.
  
  

Types of Coverage

• Review the insurance plans to determine what types of coverage the plans provide. For example, a suitable plan should include "preventive" dental care to cover the costs of maintaining the health of your teeth. A suitable plan should include "restorative" care to cover dental work such as extractions and fillings. If you want coverage that includes major dental work, such as implants and dentures, be sure the plan includes "major" coverage. If you intend to get dental work done for cosmetic purposes, look for a plan with "cosmetic" coverage.
  
  

UCR Fees

• UCR (Usual, Customary, Reasonable) fees indicate the maximum amount the dental insurance company will pay for certain procedures regardless of what the dental office charges. If you intend to visit only in-network dentist offices, the office will generally accept the UCR fee that is paid by the plan. However, this protocol will vary by dentist office. If a dentist's office does not accept the insurance plan's UCR fee, you will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket.
  
  

Waiting Periods

• Look at the waiting period clause to determine if there is a required waiting period for you to get dental work done. This waiting period clause ensures that the dental insurance company does not pay for dental work that is needed prior to the purchase of your plan. Depending upon the insurance plan, a waiting period may not be required.