Dental Insurance for kids, yay or nay

[auberge]

My dentist said he wanted to see my son at three. We are in open enrollment for insurance this month. I'm debating if I should get the insurance because the benefits aren't that great and its expensive. I'm wondering if I'm better off just increasing my FSA and paying out of pocket for this year.

What do you do?

[Deleted]

I added DD to our dental insurance, but it's only $9 more per month which I think is not bad.

[karinothing]

Ha, I just asked this like two weeks ago I ended up not getting it. Our health insurance offers preventable dental care. I took DS to the dentist and she said his teeth looked good and I could hold off a bit on adding him to my actual dental insurance. I will add him eventual incase he needs braces or whatever. The dental insurance also covers sealants which I don't think the health insurance does.

[Ashley&Scott]

I added M at birth, however it was cheap. ($5/mo)

Can you call the dentist & ask how much cleanings/preventive care visits cost?

[auberge]

I just met with the rep and its $117 a month to add my son to my dental insurance. Uh hell no

[countthestars]

That is insane!

[ijack]

at that price, no way!

[Ashley&Scott]

Yikes! I wouldn't pay that much either.

[SusanBAnthony]

We did not add them before age three. Now we have them on, but at the lowest plan. The plan basically pays for two cleanings a year, and not much of anything if there is an actual problem. I was fine with that, since the chances or needing more than a cavity or two filled is pretty low. I also would be fine with having them uninsured and just paying for two cleanings a year, though.

[SusanBAnthony]

Also, I took dd at age two, since I had read that some pedis recommend that.


Hahahahahahaha. What a waste of money. She opened her mouth for the cleaning lady, but locked her jaw shut for the dentist. He didn't get a single look. And she wasn't afraid going into it or anything.

[Deleted]

Dec 13, 2012 12:52:37 GMT -5 auberge said:

I just met with the rep and its $117 a month to add my son to my dental insurance. Uh hell no

Yeah, no thanks!

We have ok dental and it only cost $10 to have him on our plan. We just took him to a pediatric dentist yesterday (he was GREAT, let me know if you want the name.) The cleaning/checkup was fully covered and any issues are covered at 70%. For that it was worth it, but in your case, I'd just increase your FSA and pay cash.
You might get a discount that way?

[ilikedonuts]

$117/month? Holy shit!

DD has been on our plan since she was born, but with both DH's health and dental its either individual or family so it didn't cost anything extra to add her. (though it was funny having a dental card for a 2 week old)

[Deleted]

Is the rep mistaken? That sounds insane. Maybe it's really $117/year?