Regular dental exams catch not just cavities but early signs of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Most major-medical plans exclude routine dental entirely. Cost without insurance: comprehensive exam + cleaning ($120–$200), filling up to $200, root canal ~$1,000, crown ~$1,500, full braces $3,000–$9,000. Four service tiers: Type 1 Preventive (90–100% covered, no waiting period), Type 2 Basic (fillings, extractions, 70–90% covered, 6-month wait), Type 3 Major (crowns, dentures, 50–70%, 6–12-month wait), Type 4 Orthodontics (braces, 50% to lifetime max, usually for dependents under 19). Annual maximums $1,000–$2,500. Sample savings: family of four, one cleaning per adult, two fillings, one crown — insurer pays $1,860, client pays $680, $540 annual premium — net $140 saved before the major work next year.