As the year draws to a close, it’s important to ensure you’re making the most of your dental insurance. Many people don’t realize that dental benefits typically reset at the beginning of each year, and any unused benefits won’t roll over. With a bit of planning, you can maximize your insurance and keep your smile healthy.

Here’s how to take full advantage of your dental coverage before the year ends.

About The Benefits of Your Insurance

The first step in making the most of your dental insurance is understanding your coverage. Dental plans often cover preventive care like cleanings and exams, as well as partial coverage for treatments like fillings, crowns, and orthodontic work. However, most plans have annual limits on how much they will cover in a given year.

If you’re unsure about what your plan covers or how much of your yearly maximum you’ve used, now is the time to review your policy. Contact your insurance provider or reach out to your dental office, such as Dr. C Kids Dentistry, to get a detailed breakdown of your remaining benefits.

Schedule Preventive Care

Routine cleanings and exams are typically covered by insurance. If you’ve been putting off scheduling a cleaning or check-up, it’s important to do so before the end of the year. Preventive care can help catch potential issues early on and avoid more costly treatments down the road.

Most dental plans have a use it or lose it policy when it comes to these benefits. This means if you don’t use your preventive care allowances by the end of the year, you won’t be able to carry them over into the next year. By scheduling your preventive care now, you can keep your oral health in check and make the most of your insurance.

Plan for Major Treatments

If you’ve been recommended for major treatments such as fillings, crowns, or even orthodontic work, now is the time to schedule them. Most dental plans will cover a portion of these treatments, but you may still have out-of-pocket expenses. By taking care of these treatments before the end of the year, you can maximize your remaining benefits and avoid starting the new year with hefty dental bills.

If your treatment requires multiple visits, such as orthodontic care at Dr. C Kids Dentistry, scheduling an initial consultation before the year ends could help you start the process sooner. This way, you can spread out the cost and benefits between this year and next, ensuring that you’re not missing out on any coverage.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!

The end of the year can be a busy time, and dental offices often fill up quickly as more patients try to use their benefits before they expire. To avoid missing out, schedule your appointments as soon as possible. Whether the procedure is a simple cleaning or a more involved one, planning ahead will ensure you fix an appointment that works with your availability.

At Dr. C Kids Dentistry, our team is here to help you understand your benefits and make the most of your insurance. Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of your oral health needs—by planning ahead, you can avoid stress and ensure you’re getting the full value of your insurance.

As the year comes to an end, it’s important to review your dental insurance and plan your treatments to avoid leaving benefits on the table. With a ‘use it or lose it’ policy common in most insurance plans, failing to schedule appointments before the year ends means you could be missing out on valuable coverage.

By understanding your benefits, scheduling preventive care, and planning any necessary treatments, you can make the most of your dental insurance and start the new year with a healthy smile. Contact Dr. C Kids Dentistry today to discuss your remaining benefits and book your appointments before the year runs out.