If your dentist is contracted with one or more dental plans – PPO, HMO, or Discount – you are fortunate indeed. Check out the plan's benefits to be sure it will offer the services you are seeking.

  If your dentist says, "I'm not in any plan; just get a PPO that lets you see any dentist," it may not be worth it when you add up the cost of the plan. A PPO dental plan will pay considerably less for services when you use a non-network dentist.

  If you don't have a regular dentist, the best value will be to choose one of the HMO dental plans and find a dentist in that plan. Obtain a list of primary care dentists in your area and call the offices of the ones that interest you. Confirm that they still participate in the plan, and ask what the first visit will include (exam, x-rays, cleaning, etc.), and what your cost will be with the plan. You may have to "interview" more than one dentist to find the one that you prefer.

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