Our Philosophy on Dental Insurance

Americans have definite beliefs and ideas about insurance. When our automobile is damaged and we meet our deductible insurance pays for the entire repair. When we have surgery and we meet our deductible, insurance pays the full bill. However, this is not what we see relative to dental “insurance”. What we see is it is more of an “assistance”.

You should not think of your dental insurance as a “benefit”, because it is not insurance in the true sense of the word, and it will not cover the major portion of most expenses for restorative procedures. When dental co-payment plans began in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, they allowed the same maximum payments (of $1,000.00 for example) per year as allowed today. Considering an annual inflation rate of 6%, in insurance companies adjusted their benefits annually to compensate for inflation only, the benefit today would amount to at least $3,600. In this system, the only winner is the insurance company.

In addition to the inflationary cost increase since the 1970’s, please consider the cost of providing care according to rigid infection control requirements now in place due to AIDS and Hepatitis concerns. Adding the expense of disposable supplies, mask, gloves, eye wear, regulation attire and laundry for the staff, mandatory continuing education in disease control, and numerous other related expenses, you can quickly see that it is impossible to deliver high quality care for the fees your insurance company would have you expect.

Our office does not diagnose, render treatment, or establish fees according to any insurance tables or allowances. Office fees are based on the care, skill and judgment of the professionals delivering the services, and by the cost of operating a dental office dedicated to excellence.

Most importantly, remember that we work 100% for you, not for your insurance company. We refuse to compromise our standards by offering anything less than the complete care you deserve. Your insurance company is a for-profit organization, which makes money by collection premiums and paying out as little as possible in claims. They have not examined your mouth and do not take personal interest in your dental health. You should expect your insurance to cover 30%-50% of the total fee for comprehensive dental services provided in a private practice such as ours.

We will always discuss with you optimum dentistry as well as cost and time involved. This is different from what your policy is intended to cover, which is the least expensive, professionally acceptable, service available. You must ultimately make the decision. We will discuss the total cost of treatment and what assistance you can expect from your “insurance”. You are the only one who can decide to what extent a third party will influence how you will care for something as important as your teeth and mouth.

Craig W. Herre, DDS

Scott B. Herre, DDS

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