5 Dental Insurance Tips to Pay Less for Your Next Dentist Visit

🔎 Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. Money Vice is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented on this site are opinions and are presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisorsThe information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.

1. Get All Your Free Cleanings Each Year

Skipping your free dental cleanings is like paying for a gym membership you never use.

Your insurance already covers those visits, but a ton of people forget to book them.

That’s like leaving free money sitting on the table. And who does that on purpose?

Cleanings keep small issues from turning into big, wallet-draining problems later on.

Think of it as a car tune-up for your mouth. Cheaper now, or pay way more later.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Call your dentist before your plan resets, ask for your free cleaning appointments, and set reminders on your phone to never miss them.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


2. Learn What Your Plan Really Covers

You’d be surprised how many people pay for dental insurance without ever reading it.

Every plan has its own “fine print”. And that fine print is where your savings hide.

Some plans cover fillings or X-rays fully, while others only chip in a few bucks.

Knowing what’s included means you can plan instead of getting hit with surprise bills.

Because let’s be real, no one likes that awkward moment when the receptionist says, “That’ll be $200 more.”

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your insurance provider’s site, check the “Coverage” or “Benefits” section, and write down exactly what’s free, discounted, or excluded.

3. Plan Multiple Treatments Together to Save

Ever needed two dental procedures but spaced them out? Yeah, that’s a rookie move.

When you schedule treatments close together, you can use your annual max benefits before they reset.

Dental insurance usually runs on a “use it or lose it” system, and once the year ends, it’s gone.

Bundling appointments also saves you time, gas, and that lovely numb-mouth feeling twice.

You’re already there, might as well get everything done while the insurance clock’s still ticking.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Ask your dentist which procedures you can safely combine this year, then schedule them before your annual coverage resets (usually December 31).

Bonus Tip: Find Hidden Discounts That Most People Miss

You already know how smart it is to bundle your dental treatments. But here’s where you can level up.

Most people don’t realize there are discount plans that work alongside insurance to shrink those leftover costs even more.

It’s like finding a secret menu at your favorite restaurant. The perks were there all along, just waiting for you to ask.

With platforms like DentalPlans.com, you can join a discount network that gives you 10–60% off on things your insurance doesn’t cover (yep, even cosmetic work).

Thousands of people use it every year to save big, especially when their insurance maxes out before the year ends. And honestly, who doesn’t love paying less for the same care?

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Go to DentalPlans.com, enter your zip code, and compare plans that fit your needs. Most start saving you money on your next visit immediately.

4. Always Choose Dentists in Your Network

Out-of-network dentists can charge like they’re selling luxury real estate.

Insurance companies negotiate lower rates with in-network dentists, and that’s where you score big savings.

Even small cleanings or fillings can cost double when you go out of network.

It’s like ordering an Uber and realizing you accidentally booked “Uber Black.”

Same ride, fancier price tag. And totally avoidable.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use your insurance company’s “Find a Dentist” tool online to pick one that’s in-network before booking your next appointment.

5. Use Extra Discounts to Pay Less at the Dentist

Here’s a fun fact: you can still stack extra discounts on top of insurance.

Many providers offer dental savings programs and loyalty perks for medical expenses.

Even better, you can use pre-tax money through FSA or HSA accounts to cover what insurance doesn’t.

That’s basically like getting a 20% off coupon just for being smart with your money.

So yeah, there’s no reason to pay full price when you’ve got all these hacks waiting.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Sign up for all savings programs and loyalty perks you can find for dental products, or use your FSA card when paying for treatments to save extra cash.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


And that’s it!

Never forget it… 

🍔 A Bigger Bank Account Is Waiting For You!

😉 Dale!

Photo of author

Claudio Garcia

Hi! I’m the founder of Money Vice and a passionate personal finance enthusiast. I started this site to help people across America save more with the least difficulty, get rid of debt, and to start putting their money to work (in the easiest way possible).