Whether you’re looking for a dental plan or already have one, one of the most important factors you can consider is your dentist network. Which network provides the greatest savings? How many dentists are involved? Are fees negotiated?

You can compare network sizes, utilization rates and the money saved – but the effective discount, which measures savings on claims both in and out of the network – is the most accurate way to measure the value of your dental plan.

One of the largest factors behind what kind of discount your dental benefits plan offers you is the size of its network – how many dentists are a part of their plans. But how they count those dentists matters.

You brush twice a day, floss regularly, and your teeth don’t hurt – why would you need dental insurance?

The health of our teeth, gums and mouth are all connected to the health of the rest of our bodies. Dentists cand catch oral health problems early, before they potentially become painful or costly – and they can check for early signs and symptoms that may be linked to certain health conditions.

Choosing a plan can be tough. We lay out the basics to help you decide:

Baby's first smile. Baby's first step, Baby's first words. When you have a baby, you keep track of a lot of "firsts". But just as important as those first steps is making sure your protect your babies first teeth. To keep that little smile healthy, be sure not to miss these firsts.

24 everyday things that are more expensive than dental insurance.

2016 is wrapping up and it’s time to start looking forward to next year. If you purchased a dental benefits plan on the MNsure.org or Healthcare.gov state exchange anytime in 2016, your plans will reset on January 1. Here’s what you should know: