I pay through the nose every month for dental insurance.
And after every visit to the dentist, I get a big bill -- seems like the service I just received either isn't covered, or else I haven't yet met my deductible.
It's great. /s
FWIW, I suspect I don't pay much more for my dental needs than those who pay dental insurance plus deductibles. There are two factors: first there's a discount because I pay by check the day of the visit (all I had to do is ask) and second, since I'm paying I'd opt to yank a tooth rather than get root canals or crowns.
The problem I had was finding a good dentist. Mygosh, one wanted me to open a bank line of credit before he'd begin work, even though I was paying. Another refused to pull a tooth rather than do thousands of dollars of repair on it. etc