Many types of insurance are there for unexpected events. Dental coverage works a little differently because its value often shows up in the habits it helps maintain over time. This is especially noticeable with routine dental care.
Routine Care Changes the Equation
Research shows that individuals with dental insurance are significantly more likely to visit the dentist each year. According to a 2024 study from the American Dental Association, the difference is clear:
- Adults ages 19–64 with dental insurance: 53% visit annually*
- Adults ages 19–64 without dental insurance: 15% visit annually*
Among those 65 and older, the gap becomes even more pronounced:
- Insured individuals: 74% visit annually*
- Uninsured individuals: around 25% visit annually*
This data highlights an important pattern: those with dental insurance are significantly more likely to stay consistent with preventive dental care.
Consistency Matters
Preventive dental care is designed to catch issues early. Routine visits can help identify concerns such as gum disease, tooth decay, or other conditions that may not present immediate symptoms. Over time, smaller issues can progress into more involved treatments that require greater attention and expense.
Research also continues to reinforce the connection between dental health and overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been associated with a range of other health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, pregnancy and birth complications, and certain types of cancer.
Dental insurance doesn’t just help manage costs—it also makes it easier to maintain healthy habits and stay consistent with routine care.
Making Dental Care Easier to Maintain
Having a dental plan in place can help remove some of the barriers that may lead to delayed visits. We recognize that with a busy physician schedule, finding time to secure coverage is not always easy. TMA Insurance Trust helps TMA members simplify dental insurance by offering a cost-effective MetLife dental plan with guaranteed acceptance, exclusive savings, and simple enrollment.
If you’d like more details or are ready to enroll in a plan, a TMA Insurance Trust advisor is available to help Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. Click below or call 800-880-8181.
MetLife Dental Plan for TMA Members
- Guaranteed acceptance with no medical exams required
- Affordable premiums, low copays, and coverage for preventive and restorative care
- 35% to 50% savings1 on hundreds of dental procedures
- Access to 133,000 plan dentists across 475,000 locations nationwide2
- Full in-network coverage for routine preventive care3
- The flexibility to keep your current dentist and still receive benefits
- Enrollment that’s quick and convenient
