When it comes to oral health, two cornerstones are the regular brushing and flossing routine and the biannual visit to the dentist. These are incredibly important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, catching issues that may need treatment before they escalate, and preventing complications down the road.
Dental insurance provides many patients with a way to receive preventative care at little to no cost. It is a vital tool that helps people protect their oral health and can make achieving optimal dental health easier. However, many people fail to fully utilize their coverage or miss appointments altogether. This can result in unused benefits that expire at the end of the year. By understanding a few key details about dental insurance, individuals can work with their dentist to ensure that all of their benefits are utilized.
Many dental insurance plans come with a annual maximum, which is the amount that your insurance will cover within a calendar year. While this limit does not apply to all dental insurance policies, it is a common feature. When an individual’s insurance plan reaches its annual maximum, any remaining expenses will be the responsibility of the patient. As such, it is important for all individuals to schedule necessary treatments before their maximum is reached.
One of the best ways to do this is by making sure that any planned dental treatments are scheduled before your annual maximum expires. This can be done by discussing a treatment plan with your dentist in advance and scheduling any necessary appointments before the end of the year. During these appointments, you can review the status of your yearly maximum as well as discuss any recommended future procedures.
Another way to maximize dental insurance is by focusing on scheduling treatments that have the greatest impact on a patient’s long-term oral health. This can be accomplished by discussing your options with your dental team, determining what procedures you need to address the most significant problems and identifying any elective procedures that would enhance dental aesthetics or functionality.
It is also helpful to consider working with a cosmetic dentist and orthodontist in tandem when possible. By fostering relationships with these other professionals, you can refer patients to one another and help them get the most out of their dental insurance. This will not only benefit the patient but can also be a great marketing tool for your dental practice.
As the new year approaches, it is important for all patients to make an effort to maximize their dental insurance. By educating themselves about their dental coverage and scheduling essential treatment before the end of the year, they can ensure that all of their unused benefits are used. By working with a trusted dental practice, they can also make sure that their annual maximum is met and that they are able to schedule any necessary treatments before it is too late. For more helpful dental health tips, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Karen Rosen, DDS, a Torrance dentist. We look forward to helping you keep your smile in tip-top shape. We serve patients in Torrance and surrounding communities.
