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How to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits

Since medical insurance and dental insurance are two entirely different things, you have to pay a monthly premium for each one. The good news? Dental insurance helps make professional dental care an affordable option. So, if you need a standard checkup or a complex procedure, you don’t have to worry about it breaking the bank! Because dental coverage is a monthly investment, it makes sense that you’d want to make the most of it while you still have it. That said, here are a few simple ways you can maximize your dental insurance benefits.

Avoid Costly Dental Work with Preventive Care

Maintaining good oral health requires more than just brushing and flossing. It’s crucial to visit your dentist bi-annually for preventive services as it allows them to detect, prevent, and treat oral health problems before they turn into complications. Because preventive care is a crucial part of overall health, most dental insurance plans will cover it entirely or at little cost to you. That said, make sure you attend all your oral examinations, professional teeth cleanings, and routine X-rays for the year while you still can! By doing so, you can keep your smile healthy and avoid needing costly dental work down the line.

Review Your Dental Insurance Coverage

Most dental insurance plans will only cover preventive dental care. However, you may be able to use your benefits for other types of dental work, such as fillings and dental crowns. Since both of those services can be considered restorative or medically necessary, your insurance may pay for a percentage of the cost. Of course, every policy is unique, so make sure you review the details of your specific plan to understand what’s covered.

Schedule Major Procedures in Advance

It may come as no surprise that major treatments and procedures often require multiple appointments to complete. Therefore, it’s a good idea to schedule them in advance so you can get the most out of your coverage. If you need dental work that exceeds your annual maximum, you can ask your dental team to schedule part of it this year and the rest next year. That way, you can use two annual maximums instead of just one. By using this strategy, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses significantly.

Find Out When Your Benefits Expire

Even though every dental insurance policy is unique, most tend to operate on a calendar-year basis. At the beginning of each year, you’re given an annual maximum (the most your plan will pay for approved services). If you fail to use it by the end of the year, your benefits expire and, in most cases, won’t roll over into the new year. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to schedule any outstanding dental treatments before the year ends.

Have you made the most out of your dental insurance? If not, don’t worry – there’s still time to do so. By following the tips outlined above, you can easily maximize your dental insurance benefits!

About the Author

Dr. Aaron Neale is passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve their happiest, healthiest smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, Dr. Neale and his team at Blackwell Dentistry are more than happy to answer them for you. You can reach Dr. Neale via his website or call (580) 262-8420.