Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Interesting how many threads in the retirement forum have comments here and there about the importance of planing for dental care. We often don't think of dental care as being a major retirement expense, but I think it can be.
Regarding basic dental care after retirement, I've seen two attitudes in several different threads. On the one hand, I've seen plenty of posts from people who have let go of dental care after they retired on the theory that the dentist was charging their former employer's insurance for procedures they didn't really need and had no intention of paying for now that they were retired. On the other hand, I've seen posts warning people not to neglect gum care because it can lead to serious health problems.
So, let's talk about this toothy issue. Is dental care an important part of your retirement planning? Why or why not?
Was for me, all implants now at this point. i had constant teeth issues for 30 years straight. finally i bit the bullet ,spent the dough and did all implants .
Last edited by mathjak107; 08-21-2012 at 01:52 PM..
Was for me, all implants now at this point. i had constant teeth issues for 30 years straight. finally i bit the bullet ,spent the dough and did all implants .
That must have cost a fortune. Here in Arizona many people go to Mexico to get implants. About a third of the cost.
Currently, we have double coverage from our jobs. It's great from the standpoint of crown work as insurance pays about 95% of the cost. When we retire, we have the option to buy dental-vision-audio coverage. We can actually double cover as we currently do, but the added cost will more than pay for one crown so we'll only get individual coverage. While the insurance cost is more than routine dental care, we also will be using the vision coverage, so worst case, we'll break even.
It seems inevitable for most of us, yet we hear very little about setting aside retirement funds for it. And I hate to say it, but dentists charge an arm and a leg for their services. It's highway robbery but I admit I'm too nervous to try heading to another country for dental care. Especially after age 70 or so which seems to be when the problems really begin.
Unless things have changed in recent years, dental insurance will not pay for any portion of dental implants. It is considered cosmetic. They will however pay a portion for floppy dentures.
I've never understood why they only pay a portion for dentures. That's the sort of thing that ought to be covered 100%. What do they want poor people to do, carve wooden teeth for themselves? Sure, George Washington loved his but.... no thanks.
I've never understood why they only pay a portion for dentures. That's the sort of thing that ought to be covered 100%. What do they want poor people to do, carve wooden teeth for themselves? Sure, George Washington loved his but.... no thanks.
I know. It's like hearing aids. Apparently the only hearing aids that really work cost around $4000.00. I hope I never need one.
I never had good teeth but I always went to the dentist and I have one implant that I got two years ago. I used a payment plan since dentists around here all want immediate payment. GE Money Bank, I think was the name of it and all the dentists accept it around here. You arrange for either 6 months or one year to pay it off and if you don't miss a payment, you are not charged any interest at all. I've only used it for dental expenses but I think it's for any medical expense.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
