Dental care can be expensive, yet it is important and can’t be ignored or neglected. If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how mind-numbing and annoying the pain can be. That is why many have chosen to opt for a significantly cheaper choice—to sign up for a health share dental program instead of dental insurance. 

To briefly remind you, health shares are based on a community of members sharing medical costs (as long as the requirements are met, such as paying the monthly contribution). 

In this article, we will review three of the best health share dental program so that you can easily compare them and see what works the best for you.  

The best health share dental programs

1) OneShare Health

OneShare Health is a healthcare organization that has origins in the Anabaptist faith. This health care sharing ministry (HCSM) offers dental care in two of its membership options: Classic and Catastrophic. 

The Classic membership covers a wide range of services, with a focus on preventive healthcare and the reduction of hospitalization costs. This program has three different options: Basic, Enhanced, and Crown. The difference is in the coverage of certain services. You can see the differences here. 

The members also get a discount on dental and vision medical services, diabetic care/supplies, and more, hearing care, LASIK, preventive screening and prescriptions.   

2) Altrua HealthShare 

Altrua HealthShare offers four different membership options: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond. These programs differ in their personal responsibility and monthly contribution amounts, and the benefits that they provide. 

The Ruby program is the cheapest, for only $105 per person. The second cheapest is Sapphire, for $140 to $345 per person, depending on the member’s age. Next is the Emerald program, for $250 to $415 per person. Finally, the Diamond package—the most luxurious option—costs from $280 to $485 per person, depending on age.  If you would like to know more about the pricing and what is included in each of the packages, visit their price list here.  

Among other benefits, the members of Altrua HealthShare are offered 20%-50% discounts on most dental procedures. They also offer the Altrua SmileShare program, which they tout as “America’s Only DentalShare,” which brings together a community dedicated to sharing one another’s dental costs. It is a great way to cut down costs and get the most out of the money that you are paying for dental care!

3) Liberty HealthShare

Liberty HealthShare offers three main programs: Liberty Essential, Liberty Connect, and Liberty Unite. To be eligible for sharing medical costs, you must pay an annual unshared amount (Between $1,000 and $12,000 depending on the program type and household size). Liberty members can benefit from dental savings offered by Careington, “one of the most recognized professional dental networks in the nation.” 

Tips for choosing a health share with a dental program

1) Consult your needs and medical history

If you have a high chance of getting an inherited dental anomaly (such as hypodontia and enamel defects), make sure that the program you sign up for would cover the treatment. Also, consider what your expectations are from the plan. Do you intend to be covered for routine check-ups, surgeries, and emergencies? Will you need dentures or braces? Do you wear them already? These are all the things you should consider when signing up.

2) Read the guidelines carefully

This rule is important for anything that you sign up for. Ending up at the dentist’s because of a nasty emergency could ruin your day, but finding our that your dental plan doesn’t cover it (and you thought it did) is even worse. Read the fine print, too, and ask questions if something isn’t clear. Some health shares are also restricted to certain states, so pay attention to that, too.

3) Pay attention to the requirements

Some health shares have strict rules pertaining to their beliefs or expectations. Some will require you to not smoke, drink, or have extramarital sex; some others only accept members that are single or in a traditional marriage. 

Conclusion

Your dental health is important, so do your research before you decide to sign up for a program. After you’re done, smile with relief!