Written By Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®
Updated on February 3, 2025
If you’re thinking about buying a disability insurance policy through the American Dental Association, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Dentists represent a very large percentage of all disability insurance premiums nationwide, and your risk of disability is significantly higher than in many other professions. In fact, according to the ADA’s own website, 1 in 4 dentists will experience a disability that lasts long enough to make a claim. That’s why having the best dentist disability coverage matters.
Below, I break down the pros and cons of ADA disability insurance. I hope you find them helpful as you make your decision about what’s right for you and your family.
What is a dentist disability insurance policy for?
Disability insurance has one primary job: To replace your income if an injury or illness prevents you from practicing dentistry. It pays out if you can’t perform procedures anymore, so you and your family do not suffer financially when you’re already dealing with the limitations of disability.
The biggest cons of the ADA disability insurance policy have to do with if you want to rely on it for many years or if the insurance market shifts negatively. Understanding these risks can help you decide whether it’s the right option for your future.
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Pros of ADA disability insurance
ADA disability insurance offers several advantages for dentists, making it a solid option to consider. Here are some of the best parts of ADA disability insurance for dentists:
- Own occupation coverage: If an injury or illness prevents you from practicing dentistry, you’ll still receive benefits — even if you can do something else and transition into another profession.
- Residual benefits: If you are partially disabled, you can get some benefits as you recover and gradually ramp back up to speed.
- Long-term protection: Coverage lasts until age 67, providing financial security for extended disabilities.
- Group cost savings: Sometimes, the rate you get on a policy with group pricing could be cheaper than an individually underwritten policy, although this is far from guaranteed. It’s worth comparing costs before deciding.
- Mental health coverage: Some policies require you to purchase an additional rider for benefits due to conditions such as depression or anxiety. The ADA policy includes some benefits for these conditions, although for a short period of time. That said, most insurance companies that offer payments for disability due to mental/nervous conditions significantly limit how long the payout lasts.
Cons of ADA disability insurance
While ADA disability insurance has its advantages, it’s not perfect. Here are some of the negatives of ADA disability insurance:
- Policy changes possible: Many association plans do not have guarantees for things like premiums, benefits, or other terms in your policy. If key aspects of your insurance policy can change mid-way through your career, what is the benefit of the coverage?
- Coverage isn’t always renewable: if an association or group changes the insurance provider of their group policy, your policy could be canceled or modified. It’s critical to go with a guaranteed renewable policy that’s non-cancellable. The individual insurance market offers these options.
- Requires ADA membership: Forget to renew your membership? Your coverage could lapse. Overlooking your membership dues could mean losing your safety net when you need it most.
- Premiums increase over time: The ADA disability policy allows the insurance company to increase disability insurance rates as you get older. Some insurance companies offer you the ability to pay the same fixed premium over time, which could be a big advantage.
- Must maintain employment: ADA’s policy requires you to work at least 1,000 hours in a calendar year to keep your coverage active. If you take time off (whether to raise a child or for other reasons), your coverage could end because you didn’t work a heavy enough clinic schedule.
Compare ADA disability insurance to individual coverage for the best dentist disability insurance deal
No dentist should ever feel pressured to choose just one policy option. The smartest approach if you’re considering a disability insurance policy is to shop your options before making a decision.
Start by comparing group coverage, like the ADA’s plan, to a high-quality, individually underwritten policy from an independent agency. While group plans can sometimes offer lower rates, pricing isn’t the only factor to consider — policy terms matter just as much.
Once you have your options in front of you, weigh both cost and coverage. If the insurance is cheaper but the terms aren’t as good, buying coverage might not protect you as much as you think it does.
Get started by requesting a quote for your dentist disability insurance below.
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