With the media attention to dental health over the past couple of years linking the buildup of plaque to heart disease it surprises me that the average American only goes to the dentist 0.6 times per year; especially since its standard knowledge that everyone should have their teeth cleaned and checked every six months.  So, why don't people go to the dentist?

Some will honestly answer that they are scared of dentists or don't like pain but, considering the potential consequences of having to undergo dental surgery due to neglect, these are the folks who should be the most eager to endure a relatively painless oral exam twice a year.   Certainly, the pain of a root canal should balance out the slight discomfort of a prophylaxis.  Plus, many dentist also perform screens for oral cancer and take blood pressure as part of their twice a year screening service, certainly painless procedures that could be of great benefit.

Many will answer that they can't afford it.  Yes, if you don't have dental insurance that routine, six-month checkup with x rays could cost in excess of $150 per person and with the current economic situation one might well argue that that money is necessarily spent on a trip to the grocery store.  Quite true, so how about budgeting, say, fifteen to twenty dollars a month into a special account for dental?  At least you could cover one visit per year.   Even better, why not buy dental insurance on your own?   Many health insurance companies now offer individual/family dental insurance that rival group dental plans with prices in that $15 to $20 range (family coverage in the $60 to $70 range).   Plus, not only do these plans provide that visit every six months at no charge, they also cover other services such as fillings and even that root canal.  If you do the math you'll pay less in premium for a dental insurance plan than you would on your own for just two preventive visits.  

Hold it, you should be saying right now.   That makes no economic sense for the insurance company---aren't they losing money on a deal like that?  Go back to my earlier statement about the average American going less than once per year.   That study was done on people who have insurance.  My advice is, if you plan to look after your teeth dental insurance should be a no-brainer; you can beat the system and get more value back than you paid for.

I do have a word of caution for when you go shopping for a dental plan.  Make sure you are buying dental insurance and not a discount plan.   There are many discount programs available that give you access to a network at reduced rates but if you buy that type of program you will still have to pay something for each visit.  With the cost of a true dental plan being so affordable it's well worth it to go in every six months and pay nothing for that visit.