According to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, approximately 68.5 million adults in the United States do not have dental insurance. In addition, the American Dental Association reports that 12.7% of Americans did not obtain needed dental care in 2023 due to the costs — far outpacing those who did not obtain needed prescriptions or medical care.
As these statistics illustrate, a significant proportion of Americans aren’t getting the dental care they need to maintain good oral health — and this can have lasting consequences, allowing dental health issues to worsen and even contribute to other health challenges.
Fortunately, resources like Altogether Dental can help those without dental insurance. As Nick Iacono, General Manager of Altogether Dental explains, this dental discount membership can instantly help with several key challenges facing those without dental coverage.
1. Low Monthly Costs
First, Altogether Dental helps eliminate barriers to receiving dental care thanks to the low monthly membership fee for its plans. “Our plans cost $7.50 per month for individuals, $11.00 for two people and $15 per month for families,” Iacono says.
“This is significantly less expensive than the monthly premiums for dental insurance, which often range from $20-$50 per month for an individual, and can reach as high as $150 per month for families. The first step to ensuring greater access to dental care is lowering the monthly premiums that individuals must pay.”
Iacono believes lower membership fees offer greater access to dental care for individuals and families. The membership itself is designed to be a low risk investment for members, with free cancellation at any time should that be desired.
2. Discounts On All Dental Procedures
Unsurprisingly, the top benefit provided by an Altogether Dental plan is the discounted services available for all dental procedures, from periodic oral exams to comprehensive orthodontic treatments.
“The discounts typically range from 15 to 50% per procedure,” Iacono says.
“The exact discount amount will vary based on factors like the type of procedure being performed, your provider and where you live. But what doesn’t change is the fact that you will be able to receive discounted dental services for any procedure from a dentist within our network. Depending on the type of procedures your family needs, this could result in hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars in savings over the course of the year.”
To further simplify receiving dental care, the fees for discounted dental services are paid directly to the dentist, rather than going through a separate billing process with Altogether Dental. This streamlined process helps make receiving dental care more manageable.
3. No Exclusions or Limits
Another aspect of the Altogether Dental membership that Iacono believes is especially valuable is how it differs from typical insurance coverage regarding deductibles, limits, exclusions and waiting periods.
“An Altogether Dental membership has no deductible, limits or exclusions,” he explains. “Some dental insurance policies have annual limits for how much they will cover during a given year. With Altogether Dental, there is no such limit to receiving discounted care, which can be especially helpful if you go through a period where you need a lot of dental care. No exclusions means that every dental procedure is eligible for a discount, even if you have a pre-existing condition. And with no deductible or waiting period, you can start taking advantage of discounted rates on procedures right away.”
Traditional dental insurance benefits often only provide coverage up to around $1,500 for complex treatments like root canals, which can limit their usefulness. In addition, many plans require a six to 12 month waiting period for major work — whereas with Altogether Dental, members can book a procedure immediately.
4. A Large Network
Finally, Altogether Dental’s large network of participating dentists helps ensure that individuals across the country can take advantage of this membership program to receive the care they need.
“We partner with the Aetna Dental Access Network, which gives Altogether Dental members access to over 42,000 general and specialty care dentists,” Iacono says. “When you find a participating dentist in your area, you simply let them know that you are an Altogether Dental member when you reach out to book an appointment. This will allow you to receive your services at our discounted rate.”
Notably, members can ask what the discounted rate will be before going in for their appointment, allowing them to financially prepare for the cost of a procedure or potentially look for a more affordable dentist.
A Worthwhile Alternative to Dental Insurance
With its low monthly costs, available discounts for all dental treatments (including those often excluded by insurers) and a large network of participating dentists, Altogether Dental serves as a viable alternative for those who do not have dental insurance. Even those who do have dental insurance can obtain an Altogether Dental membership, allowing them to save more when discounted procedures will result in greater savings than using their insurance benefits.
By helping mitigate the costs of dental care, this distinct dental discount membership program is poised to ensure that dental health becomes the priority it deserves to be for all Americans.