I guess Medicare assumes when you hit 65 you won't have any teeth, so they don't provide any dental coverage. I find this out after I bit into something that broke a tooth last week.

Has anyone bought any dental insurance that is reasonable, or do we just pay cash, and move on?

I remember a guy about a year younger than me in my company that had all his teeth pulled and replaced with implants. I thought he'd lost his mind. Maybe he was just thinking ahead.

Supplemental dental insurance is available, cost varies but between $30-40 monthly or the approximate cost of having your teeth cleaned and x-rays twice a year. Deductible varies and usually things like crowns are paid at 50%. Will vary by state.

I don't think we break even on ours...it's cheap but it doesn't cover much. Better to pay cash and have it over with.

I broke a tooth on a hunting trip just outside of Glasgow MT, went to a local dentist and paid him. It didn't cost that much and I didn't have to wait.

If you can find a one man dental office, sole proprietor kind of thing, you can sometimes work a cash only deal. wink, wink.

I've belonged to a barter association for the past 35 years. All of my families dental, eye exams, eye glasses are done on barter.
Most likely I'd choke if I had to pay for this.

Jim

I was checking AARP last night. Looks like for $50 a month I can get something, but it has significant limits, and deductibles. I think I'm going to take TomP's advice and go without. Looks like a few years without any dental expense (I've had one already) and you've saved enough to pay for the work.

wasbeeman's comment reminded me of an old African-American mechanic at a gas station in Rankin, Texas years ago. He had business cards made up that expressed his car mechanic skills, that he raised Spanish goats, and that he did dental work on the side. I actually knew someone that had the man make his dentures. The friend swore by them.

If by insurance you mean a plan that will protect you from unforseen expenses, there is no such thing as dental insurance. All of the plans are structured as employee benefits with very defined limits. They can help indigent employees get checkups and basic restorative work, but for major expenses you are on your own.

Not to mention that only about 1 in 10 dentists participate in most plans

Kensco, I'm sure you know, but AARP is an extremely anti-gun organization. I wont do business with them!