Maybe you have a dental insurance plan, but it doesn’t cover certain services like orthodontics (that’s a type of treatment, like braces, that helps with tooth alignment and bite-related issues). Or maybe your employer doesn’t even offer dental insurance benefits.
Whatever your personal situation might be, a dental discount product could be an appropriate complement or alternative to dental insurance. (You might also see this referred to as a “dental discount program.”) And if you’re looking for savings on more than dental services — maybe you could use discounts on vision and hearing materials and prescription drugs, too — a dental discount product could be an even better idea.
Below, learn how to save with a dental discount product or find out more now.
What is a dental discount product, and how is it different from dental insurance?
First things first: Dental discount products are NOT the same as dental insurance plans. You won’t pay a monthly insurance premium, and an insurer won’t pay for covered dental services after you reach a deductible or pay copays. That’s what would happen if you have a dental insurance plan.
Think of dental discount products like a membership-based club — you know, like the ones where you get your favorite food brands at a discounted price at checkout once you flash your club card. With dental discount products, you’ll pay a monthly or annual membership fee to get access to discounted rates on certain dental services at participating providers. These services could include:
- Crowns
- Dental X-rays
- Dentures
- Oral exams
- Oral surgery, like removing impacted teeth (where available)
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric dentistry (where available)
- Root canals
- Teeth cleanings
- Teeth whitening or veneers
Another big difference between dental discount products and dental insurance: With a dental discount product, you’ll pay for dental services up front at the time of your dental appointment. Unlike dental insurance, there are no claims or reimbursement processes.
Dental discount programs also don’t have:
- Annual maximums
- Claims
- Copays
- Deductibles
- Limits to the number of times you can use the discounts
- Medical questions to answer before you can subscribe
7 ways to save using a dental discount product
Whether you have dental insurance or not, you can find ways to save with a dental discount product. Here are 7 ways to save by using it:
1. They may fit your budget. Dental discount products often come with a low monthly or annual fee, making them a cost-effective option for many people.
2. They can save you money on common dental services. While actual savings may vary based on where you live, you can save on dental services such as routine cleanings, X-rays and fillings.
3. They often have large networks. You will often have access to participating providers nationwide. With a wide network of dentists, you may be able to find a provider near you who offers discounted rates.
A dental discount product may offer discounted rates on dental services that your dental insurance doesn’t cover, like braces or teeth whitening. Explore more to see if it's a good fit for you.
4. They don’t have annual limits or maximums. Remember, you can use your dental discount card as often as you need, without worrying about maxing out on your benefits. But it’s worth noting that if you have dental insurance and a dental discount card, you can’t use both on the same service. For example, some dental insurance plans might fully cover routine teeth cleanings, meaning there would be no additional cost to you. But if you were to use your dental discount product for a routine cleaning, you’d have to pay the discounted rate for the service at the time of your appointment.
5. They offer discounts on preventive services, like oral exams, X-rays and cleanings. With dental discount products, you can get common preventive dental services at participating dentists, like routine oral exams, X-rays and cleanings, at a discounted rate. Those can help a dentist catch things like cavities or even more serious health conditions like diabetes or oral cancer early on.
6. They may offer discounts on non-dental services. Dental discount products may offer more than just discounts on dental services. You may also save on the following with participating providers:
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Hearing aids
- Laser vision correction surgery
- Prescription drugs
7. It can be an alternative to dental insurance. While a dental discount product isn’t the same as dental insurance, there could be some benefits to getting one:
- It could be a better option for your budget than paying a monthly insurance premium.
- It could serve as an alternative if you’re self-employed or your employer doesn’t offer dental insurance.
- It might offer dental services an insurance plan doesn’t cover, like veneers and teeth whitening (cosmetics) or braces (orthodontics).
An important thing to keep in mind, though: If you have a dental emergency that requires immediate attention and isn’t offered through your dental discount program, you might have to pay for it entirely out of pocket. That could get expensive quickly without dental insurance.
How can I get a dental discount product?
It’s common for a health insurance company to offer a dental discount product through a third party called a Discount Medical Plan Organization (DMPO). You can usually complete a short enrollment process online and pay a monthly or annual membership fee as well as a one-time processing fee (usually $30 or less). Once you’re enrolled, you will get access to the discounts and savings offered. Typically, you are given a short window of time to review the product (usually 30 days). It’s important to read the materials and make sure you understand how to use the product and it’s what you’re looking for. If you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within this period and receive a refund of the membership fees. However, in most states, the one-time processing fee is not refundable.
A dental discount product can give you access to all sorts of savings. You can often get discounts on hearing aids, glasses, contact lenses and more. Explore more or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Part Number: 52386-X-0725
Source:
UnitedHealthOne. “Dental Savings Complete.” Retrieved from https://www.uhone.com/dental-discount-card Accessed June 16, 2025.
