Hint: It's Not a Private Jet. But It Doesn’t Have to Be a Train Wreck Either.

Dentistry, my friends, is like the middle child at Thanksgiving dinner. Vital to the family. Full of potential. Hugely loved by the ones paying attention. And yet somehow—somehow—forgotten when the big kids (read: medical, pharma, government) start handing out extra mashed potatoes (read: funding and political favors).

The Insurance Industry: Committed...to Themselves

Let’s start with the elephant in the operatory. Insurance companies have spent the last few decades showing us exactly who they are — and spoiler alert — they are not angling to pay dentists more or expand patient benefits.

In fact, the trend has been the opposite:

Premiums rise.

Maximum benefits remain laughably frozen in 1982.

Coverage percentages shrink.

Downgrades and denials? Growing faster than a 3rd molar in a teenager.

If you think the cavalry is coming from insurance companies to suddenly boost reimbursements or eliminate patient out-of-pocket costs, I have a lovely bridge to sell you (great ocean views, slightly underwater).

Where Will Dental Insurance Be in 5, 10, 20, 30 Years?

(Grab your crystal ball—or your safety goggles.)

5 years:

Insurance will likely continue tightening the screws. More managed care, more networks, and even greater pressure on reimbursements. Hybrid insurance models (think DHMO/DPPO crossovers) may become more popular, making it even harder for dentists to predict reimbursement.

10 years:

There’s a real chance we’ll see more government involvement, especially if healthcare reform continues pushing to cap out-of-pocket costs on a national scale. Some dental benefits may get absorbed into broader health insurance packages — but be careful: That usually means more red tape, not fewer headaches.

20 years:

If trends continue (and depending on how hard the dental community fights back), the distinction between in-network and out-of-network could start fading. Patients may start demanding portable dental benefits the same way they shop for car insurance — pick your dentist, pick your plan. That's IF enough lobbying happens.

30+ years:

Could we finally circle back to the golden era of indemnity plans — where insurance companies didn’t care which dentist you saw and simply reimbursed a percentage based on a set fee schedule?

Maybe.

Especially if Fair Health initiatives expand and more government attention is placed on dental access equity. (More on Fair Health in a sec.)

Otherwise? Get ready for further corporatization of dentistry where massive groups negotiate insurance directly and squeeze out the little guys unless independent dentists rally like the Rebel Alliance in Star Wars.

Who Even Cares? (Answer: You Should.)

Look, here’s the raw truth:

Dentists need to get paid.

Teams that support quality care (your assistants, hygienists, office managers) need to get paid.

Patients need to be able to afford it without selling a kidney on Craigslist.

Right now, only insurance companies seem to be winning this game. And that’s not sustainable for anyone — not even them, if patients stop seeking dental care entirely because of cost barriers.

The Hero in This Story: Fair Health

If you haven't heard of Fair Health, let’s correct that immediately.

Fair Health is an independent, nonprofit organization created after a massive class action lawsuit exposed how insurers were underpaying out-of-network claims using shady, internally generated data (surprise, surprise).

Thanks to that lawsuit, Fair Health now provides a database of actual market rates for healthcare services—including dentistry.

This resource forces insurance companies to base their reimbursements on reality, not their own creative fiction novels about “reasonable and customary fees.”

Translation:

When a patient goes out-of-network and insurance tries to shortchange them, Fair Health gives them—and YOU—a way to push back with real data.

Fair Health brought balance back to a universe that was spiraling into complete insurance company anarchy. (Insert Star Wars music here.)

Why Is Dentistry Still the Red-Headed Stepchild?

It’s a fair question.

Medical gets the love (and government mandates).

Pharma gets the billions (and media attention).

Dental? Dental gets "Hey, brush and floss, good luck out there."

Part of the reason is simple: Dentists haven’t historically flexed their political muscles.

We are a fiercely independent, entrepreneurial bunch. That's great — but it’s time to realize that real change often starts in legislative bodies, not just operatories.

Look at insulin: After years of outrageous pricing, enough public pressure (and political shame) forced major reforms to cap insulin costs.

Imagine if dentistry united the same way.

Dentistry’s Future: Choose Your Own Adventure

The future isn’t written yet. Here’s how dentists can shape what’s next:

✅ Get involved with your state and national dental associations.

✅ Support Fair Health and similar initiatives.

✅ Get political — even if you just vote smartly or attend a town hall.

✅ Educate your patients. Patients who understand their insurance limitations are powerful advocates.

✅ Demand better. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it’s frustrating. But remember: insurance companies count on your exhaustion. Stay loud.

Quick Recap:

Insurance companies aren’t planning to be more generous anytime soon.

Government reform is creeping into healthcare and may (if dentistry fights) extend to dental benefits.

Fair Health has helped restore fairness for out-of-network patients.

Dentistry’s political influence is way smaller than it should be—and we can change that.

The future can be bright if dentists rally together, educate patients, and demand better.

Final Thought:

Dentists don’t need to sit at the kid’s table forever.

But to graduate to the adult table — you know, the one with stuffing, wine, and political clout — we have to show up.

Let's make the next 5, 10, 20, 30 years something to smile about — insurance companies be warned.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com