*Updated September 2023

If you’re a self-employed individual, you know how important it is to stay healthy. An unplanned illness, such as a dental emergency, can take a serious toll on your business. Maintaining a healthy smile via preventive care helps you avoid needing complex treatment down the line.

Discover how to maintain oral health and financial well-being with dental benefits for self-employed individuals.

Why have dental benefits when you’re self-employed?

Preventing and detecting oral health problems before they become serious is important for everyone, but especially self-employed people. Why? Because any time lost due to unplanned treatments can impact their business.

A study from the journal “Preventing Chronic Disease” estimates that 92.4 million hours of work are lost each year due to unplanned or emergency dental visits.

Self-employed individuals know how valuable each hour of work is. Because dental insurance focuses on prevention, investing in dental benefits for self-employed individuals can help them stay healthy and limit emergency visits to the dentist’s office.

Additionally, a good smile and clean teeth may affect relationships with their clients. A consumer study conducted by Beall Research & Training of Chicago found that people with a good smile “appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy to others.”

How to choose dental benefits for self-employed 

To choose a dental plan that’s a good fit, it’s important to do the following:

Evaluate the needs

Are you expecting a change in your family, like a new baby? What’s the current state of your oral health? Do you expect to need to see a dentist more than twice each year? These are all things that one should consider when picking out dental benefits for self-employed individuals.

Consider the costs

Research the monthly premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses associated with the plan. Ensure that the costs fit within your budget without compromising on quality care.

Plan coverage and benefits 

Assess the extent of coverage the dental insurance plan provides. Look for plans that cover preventive services (like cleanings and exams), basic procedures (such as fillings), and major treatments (like crowns or root canals).

Waiting periods

Be aware of any waiting periods before specific services become eligible for coverage. Some plans may require waiting periods, especially for more extensive treatments.

In-network providers

Check the list of dentists included in the plan’s network. Make sure there are nearby providers you can easily access for routine check-ups and treatments.

Plan renewal and cancellation 

Understand the renewal and cancellation terms and be aware of any potential changes to coverage in subsequent years.

If you’re ready to learn more about dental benefits for self-employed individuals, Delta Dental of Wisconsin is here to help! Contact our team or learn more about our individual plans.