The end of the year is quickly approaching, and with all the holiday excitement and spending time with your loved ones, you might be forgetting one thing – to schedule your dental appointment! Dental insurance doesn’t roll over to the next year. So if you don’t use your 2021 dental insurance benefits now, you lose them! The National Association of Dental Plans estimates that only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plans reach their plan’s annual maximum. Here’s a look at how to get the most out of your dental insurance at the end of the year. 

How Dental Insurance Works

Most dental insurances are geared towards preventative care and include coverage of routine services. This includes regular dental check-ups, dental cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments. Even though you have certain services and benefits available to you throughout the year, the coverage resets on January 1st. This means if you haven’t yet taken advantage of these covered services, your time is running out. 

The end of the year is the best time to look at what your dental insurance covers and schedule an appointment for any unused services right away. It may seem like making a dental appointment will not fit into your schedule with the business of the holiday season. But scheduling a routine check-up appointment now will not only save you money, but it can also prevent you from developing a more serious dental issue in the future. Getting regular dental cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments can help reduce plaque and bacteria and prevent tooth decay and other dental issues. 

Getting The Most From Your Dental Coverage

For most patients, the best way to maximize their dental plan is by scheduling twice-yearly dental exams. Here are some great ways to get the most out of your dental coverage before the end of the year:

• Preventative treatments: Most dental insurances cover two-yearly preventative visits like cleanings and dental exams. If you haven’t had both check-ups this year, now is the time to schedule one! 
• Utilize your yearly maximums: Insurances offer a specific yearly dollar amount up to which they agree to pay. The amount can vary but is usually around $1,000. If you haven’t used all of your allotted coverage, the end of the year is a great time to schedule some restorative services and utilize the unused money on those. 
• Be Proactive: If you have benefits left over for this calendar year and you don’t think you have any dental problems, it’s still a good idea to get a check-up. Early detection of issues like gum disease and cavities can make future treatments less invasive and less expensive! 
• Untreated dental issues: If you have any issues that you haven’t had time to address, don’t wait! Waiting for the next year to talk to your dentist can mean wasting unused benefits and possibly making the problem worse!

Shelby Dental Center in Calera, Alabama Here for You All Year Round 

Your dental insurance coverage doesn’t roll over to the next year. Now’s the time to schedule your last appointment with those unused benefits. If you have any questions about your dental plan or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today!