Most U.S. consumers (72 percent) are looking for ways to save money on their dental expenses, according to a new WellPoint survey. Three-quarters of survey respondents agreed it's important to have dental insurance to maintain good oral health, and two-thirds say without insurance they are less likely to visit the dentist. More than half of the survey respondents (52 percent) said they save money by using dental networks. Here are some other survey findings:

• More than half of the survey respondents wanted to have their dental bills paid (52 percent), followed by whiter teeth (42 percent), no cavities (37 percent), healthier gums (33 percent), and straighter teeth (24 percent).
• Nearly half of those surveyed (45 percent) said their dental network helps them save money in lower out-of-pocket expenses.
• Some 38 percent said that having an extensive dental network means greater access to providers, more access to dental specialists (38 percent), more services covered in-network (38 percent), and convenience of having a dentist nearby (36 percent).

Rough economic times have resulted in nearly 10 million Americans losing their dental insurance benefits in the past few years. Plus, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, the average out-of-pocket cost of a root canal for an uninsured patient is $1,201, as opposed to $593 for individuals with insurance.

Unless the plan is subsidized by the company you work for, dental insurance plans are expensive. What's more, unless you have a major procedure done, high deductibles and co-pays most likely mean that you pay more for insurance than you save. This means you pay for expensive insurance and expensive procedures, and is why alternative dental savings plans, or discount plans, are a reasonable option. Unlike traditional dental insurance where you pay a deductible/co-pay and the rest is paid by the insurance company (at a discounted rate), with a dental savings plan you pay the discounted rate at time of service—nothing additional is paid by the discount dental plan network. 

The way this works is that the discount dental plan network works with local dentists to negotiate a discounted rate on services for its customers so that you save money. The annual membership fee you pay grants you access to the discounted rates negotiated. This is how dental savings plans can be considerably less expensive than dental insurance plans. Plus, since you don't have to reach a deductible to receive the savings, you can start saving money on dental procedures right away. Of course, not all dentists participate in dental discount plans, so it's important to do your homework to make sure your dentist is part of the group that offers a discount with the program.

Naturally, for those who can afford dental insurance and can use the benefits without penalty, there are some very good carriers in the market that provide good coverage such as Delta, Cigna and MetLife. Keep in mind most Americans get their dental insurance through their employer. And, for the most part, the cost is purely voluntary. Very few companies provide employer paid dental as a health care benefit. Yet, if it works for you, buy it and use it until you reach your maximum for the year.

Here are four ways to save money on dental care this year:

1. Aetna Dental Access. This discount dental plan through Aetna provides plan members      with discounts of 15 percent to 50 percent on most dental procedures, from cleanings and root canals to braces, at more than 100,000 participating locations across the country.
2. Careington Dental Plan.  With this dental plan, plan members can save 20 percent to 60 percent at more than 122,000 access points nationwide. Plus, you won't just save on dental procedures, like dentures and veneers; you'll also receive prescription, vision and lasik savings.
3. Free clinics/health centers. These community programs offer discounted or free      dental care to the public based on an individual's ability to pay.
4. Dental schools. Local dental colleges offer dental care to the public by supervised students for free or at discounted rates.

Are you interested in saving money for your family in 2012? Are you a business owner that is looking for less expensive health options for your employees? Are you a broker looking to supplement income from vanishing commissions? Consider these options for your family, your organization, or your client. After all, at the end of the day, saving money, creating value, providing access to affordable health care, and delivering workable solutions to expensive health care is in everyone's best interest.