Patient tool · Dental & orthodontic
Dental membership plan vs pay-as-you-go
See whether an in-office dental membership plan beats paying full fees for your expected care.
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Adjust the numbers, then press Calculate.
Assumptions
- Membership plans are offered by individual practices; they are not insurance and have no annual maximum. Fees and discounts vary by office.
Many dental practices offer in-office membership plans as an alternative to dental insurance. You pay a yearly fee that covers routine cleanings and exams, plus a discount on other treatment. This calculator shows whether a membership saves you money compared with paying the office's regular fees.
How it works
Enter the number of people on the plan, the membership fee, how many cleaning visits are included and the discount on other treatment. Then enter how many cleaning visits each person usually has, the regular price of a cleaning visit (exam, cleaning and X-rays), and any other treatment you expect.
- Pay-as-you-go is the regular price of every visit plus your other treatment.
- Membership is the fee, plus any visits beyond what's included at the discounted price, plus your other treatment at the discounted price.
The calculator also shows the break-even: how much other treatment you'd need for the membership to pay for itself, if the cleanings alone don't.
Example
One person's membership costs $360 a year, includes two cleaning visits and gives 15% off other treatment. A cleaning visit normally costs $225, and they expect $600 of other work.
- Pay-as-you-go: 2 × $225 + $600 = $1,050.
- Membership: $360 + ($600 × 85%) = $870.
The membership saves about $180. With no other treatment, it still saves $90, because the two included visits are worth $450.
Compare with insurance too
If you have dental insurance through work, compare your premium and coverage as well. Membership plans tend to work best for people without insurance or who visit one practice regularly. Ask the office for its plan details in writing, including what happens if you leave the practice partway through the year.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is a membership plan the same as insurance?
No. It's an agreement with one practice: you pay a yearly or monthly fee for set services and a discount on others. There are no claims, deductibles or annual maximums, but it only works at that office.
Can I use an HSA or FSA for the membership fee?
Treatment costs are generally eligible. Whether the membership fee itself qualifies can depend on the plan, so check with your account administrator.
What if I need a lot of work?
The discount on other treatment matters more as your treatment costs rise. Enter your expected treatment to see how it changes the result.
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