How do you go about finding a dental insurance plan that works the best for dental care needs? Below are a few tips that may help you with your search and get you going down the right path.

* Estimate your current and future dental needs. Consider whether you or a family member will need major dental work or oral surgery. Or maybe you just want basic, preventive care like regular checkups and cleanings.  Having a idea of your dental care needs will help you avoid plans with waiting periods if you need major services now or within the near future.

* Find a plan your dentist accepts. If you have a particular dentist you would like to continue seeing, then it is important to check and see that she or he is a provider of the dental insurance plan you are considering, or that you are buying a dental insurance plan that lets you choose any dentist you wish to go to.

* Consider your budget and how much you are comfortable paying. Decide whether you would prefer to pay premiums and co-pays over time, or pay the full amounts to the dentist all at once.