Waiting Period: some dental benefits begin as soon as the effective date of your plan. Others have 3 months waiting before you can use any dental services. Some major services could be available on the 2nd or 3rd year after enrollment. It is important to carefully review the features of your plan.

Coinsurance: Dental insurance plans typically do not pay 100% of eligible expenses. You may have to co-pay a percentage of your eligible expenses in excess of your deductible. The coinsurance is typically 10% - 30% of an eligible expense, but may be higher (e.g., 50% of major restorative dental services or orthodontic treatments.)

Maximums: Many plans also have dollar limits on the amount of benefits that will be paid for certain services in a specific period. Sometimes a maximum applied to the total benefits that will be paid during a year or during the covered person's lifetime.

Predetermination of Benefits: For large expenses, such as major dental restorations, your plan may ask you to obtain a predetermination or estimate of the benefits payable from your insurance company before you receive treatment. The predetermination of benefits will tell you how much the plan will pay.

Claims: Most of the plans provide you with a benefit card which allows the dentist to submit the bill to your insurance company directly. Some plans or dentists require you to pay at time of service and submit your receipts for reimbursement