HMO dental insurance is one of the two types of managed care dental plans, the other being PPO insurance. These two varieties of dental insurance are currently the most commonly purchased types, and they're often offered by employers as a benefit to their employees.

With this type of plan, you choose a dentist from among a list of HMO dental providers. If you're considering HMO vs. PPO dental insurance, know that there are both advantages and disadvantages to the former.

Advantages of HMO Dental Insurance

Because of the way HMO dental insurance plans are structured, plans include benefits such as:

• Low-cost premiums: HMO dental insurance is one of the least expensive types of dental insurance plans, partially because of how dentists in the network are paid. Typically, each dentist receives a fixed amount of money per month, per patient, which keeps expenses down. Most HMO dental providers allow for free checkups, cleanings and X-rays. Restorative or major procedures are covered at variable rates, depending on your plan.
• Patient treatment guaranteed: When a dentist joins an HMO network, she's obligated to treat patients holding that particular HMO dental insurance plan. In other words, a patient can't be turned away for necessary dental treatment.

Disadvantages of HMO Dental Insurance

If you're considering this type of dental insurance, be aware of its disadvantages, as well:

• Fewer choices among providers: You have to choose a dentist from a list of specific HMO dental providers; if you see a dentist not included in this list, your benefits won't be paid. This is a main difference between HMO vs. PPO plans. In addition, due to the way dentists are paid in an HMO situation, some dentists are reluctant to join these networks.
• Longer waiting times: Patients who have HMO dental insurance sometimes find that it can take longer to get an appointment for HMO vs. PPO plans--leading to delays in necessary treatment.