Whether your are 18 years old and just starting out in college or are an older student furthering your education, congratulations on taking such an important step toward preparing for your future. Besides studying and exams, students have other worries as well. One of them being where to find an affordable dental insurance plan. Whether you are looking for individual coverage or a family plan, there are ways to find cheap but quality student dental insurance.
1) ISO. The ISO, or the International Student Organization, is a great option for international students looking for student dental coverage. For people who live in other countries, but are studying at universities or colleges in the United States, the ISO is a great place to turn to to find an affordable plan.
2) A school offered capitation plan. This is a dental plan offered by the school itself that covers basic dental needs. While plans differ from school to school, it is not unusual for these plans to require that you see a set list of dentists. Often, the school will allow you to roll the cost of the plan into your tuition and if you are receiving financial aid or are on scholarship, the fee can be taken care of so you don’t have to come out of pocket.
3) Dental insurance scheme. Another form of student dental insurance that is offered by the school itself is a dental insurance scheme. This plan is offered by a private insurance company but in agreement with the school. Because insurance companies can afford to give discounts for group coverage, the fact that many students participate makes securing this type of coverage cheap.
4) Discount dental plans. Sometimes, if you are not anticipating needing much dental work at all, these discounted dental plans can be a much more affordable way to go. Unlike insurance, you don’t pay premiums. You pay a nominal annual fee and get access to a list of dentists that will do basic work at greatly discounted prices. Another great thing about these programs is that they also offer great discounts on major dental procedures in case of emergency.