UFT Dental Insurance is designed specifically for members of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and their families. It helps cover the costs of dental care, making it easier to maintain good oral health. This insurance supports preventive care, treatment of common dental problems like gum inflammation and gum disease, and more complex dental procedures. With UFT Dental Insurance, members can access quality dental services at reduced costs or sometimes with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Types of UFT Dental Insurance Plans
The UFT Welfare Fund offers two main types of dental insurance plans:
Scheduled Benefit Plan: This is a fee-for-service plan where members can choose to receive dental care from a panel of participating dentists or any dentist of their choice. If a panel dentist is used, many routine procedures such as cleanings are free or low cost. For non-panel dentists, members are reimbursed based on a schedule of covered dental expenses but may have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Dentcare (Dental HMO): This is a no-cost dental Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. Members select a primary dentist from a large network of providers. All necessary dental work is covered with no co-pays or claims to file. This plan eliminates unexpected costs for covered services and includes no additional fees for common treatments like porcelain crowns or composite fillings.
Additionally, the UFT offers a Direct Access Dental Plan for family members not eligible for regular Welfare Fund benefits. This plan provides access to discounted dental care through a panel of dentists at a low annual cost.
Advantages of UFT Dental Insurance
Comprehensive Coverage: Both plans cover preventive care such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, which help prevent gum inflammation and gum disease.
Cost Savings: The Scheduled Benefit Plan offers free or low-cost routine procedures with panel dentists, and Dentcare eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for covered services.
Large Network: The Scheduled Benefit Plan has over 2,000 participating dentists in New York and more than 700 in Florida. Dentcare has over 4,000 providers in the tri-state area.
Flexibility: Members can see any dentist under the Scheduled Benefit Plan, though costs are lower with panel dentists.
Improved Benefits: Recent updates have increased the number of participating dentists and improved reimbursements for many dental procedures.
Coverage of UFT Dental Insurance
UFT Dental Insurance covers a wide range of dental services:
Preventive Care: Includes routine cleanings (every three months for adults), exams (every six months with a small co-pay), fluoride treatments, and sealants to protect teeth.
Basic Restorative Care: Fillings, extractions, root canals, and treatment for gum disease and gum inflammation.
Major Restorative Care: Crowns, dentures, bridges, and orthodontic appliances with some co-pays.
Specialized Treatments: Orthodontics like braces or Invisalign may be covered depending on the plan. Dentcare covers porcelain crowns and composite fillings at no extra cost.
Emergency Care: Dentcare reimburses up to $50 for pain relief if a member has a dental emergency while traveling, but ongoing treatment must be done through Dentcare providers.
Related Costs of UFT Dental Insurance
Scheduled Benefit Plan: Many routine services are free or low cost with panel dentists. Exams have a $15 co-pay, while more complex procedures like root canals or crowns may have co-pays up to $150. Orthodontic appliances may require a $200 co-pay. Using non-panel dentists may result in higher out-of-pocket costs because members pay the difference between the dentist’s charge and the plan’s scheduled reimbursement.
Dentcare: There are no co-pays or claims to file for covered services. Members avoid unexpected costs, making budgeting for dental care easier. However, coverage is limited to Dentcare providers, and out-of-network services are not reimbursed.
Direct Access Dental Plan: This plan has a low annual fee ($36 for individuals, $48 for families) and offers discounted rates with participating dentists for family members not covered by the main plans.
Advantages and Disadvantages of UFT Dental Insurance
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Comprehensive coverage including preventive and major dental care | Scheduled Benefit Plan may involve out-of-pocket costs if using non-panel dentists |
| Large network of participating dentists | Dentcare limits you to a network, no reimbursement for out-of-network care |
| No co-pays for many routine services with panel dentists | Dentcare does not cover pediatric dentists, which may be a concern for families with young children |
| Recent improvements have expanded benefits and dentist options | Dentcare emergency coverage while traveling is limited to $50 for pain relief only |
| Direct Access Plan offers affordable dental care for non-covered family members | Orthodontic and specialized treatments may require co-pays or have limited coverage |
Conclusion
UFT Dental Insurance offers valuable dental coverage tailored to the needs of educators and their families. With options like the Scheduled Benefit Plan and Dentcare HMO, members can choose the plan that best fits their preferences for flexibility and cost. The insurance covers essential dental care, including prevention of gum inflammation and treatment of gum disease, helping maintain overall oral health. While each plan has its pros and cons, the UFT dental benefits provide strong support for managing dental care expenses and accessing quality dental services.
