Brushing and flossing aren’t enough to keep your smile healthy. The American Dental Association also recommends a cleaning and checkup every 6 months. Dental insurance makes dentistry affordable; however, 35% of adults haven’t seen a dentist in the last year. The cost of care is a leading reason people delay seeing a dentist, despite having insurance. It’s a common belief that dental care is too expensive, even with insurance coverage, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Your dental insurance is designed to lower your oral health expenses. Here are 3 ways you can save money using your monthly investment.
1. Schedule a Cleaning and Checkup
Cleanings and checkups aren’t a luxury, they are a necessity to keep your mouth healthy. Preventive appointments focus on stopping common oral health issues from occurring in the first place, like tooth decay and gum disease. As a result, you’re less likely to need costly treatments later. Research has found that you can save up to $50 on restorative and emergency services for every $1 spent on prevention. Your dental insurance makes it easy to safeguard your teeth and gums because preventive care is covered 100%. You can get the cleaning and checkup you need after a copayment.
2. Don’t Delay Dental Work
Dental emergencies are more common than you might think. 1 in 6 Americans has a dental emergency annually. Although they can be caused by various factors, untreated dental issues are often the culprit. If you delay fillings or other treatments because money is tight, you’re opening the door to a costly dental emergency.
You can save money and your smile using your dental insurance. Your policy can pay up to 80% of the costs of common restorative procedures after meeting your deductible. You can use your allowance to treat issues while they are still small to prevent a dental emergency later. Although you can still use your coverage for emergency services, major treatments are only covered by 50%.
3. Use It Before You Lose It
Your dental benefits don’t last forever. They expire at the end of the year. Even if you never visit the dentist, you won’t be reimbursed for your premiums, and your annual allowance won’t carry over into the new year. Any money you’ve paid toward your deductible will be lost. With less than 3% of Americans meeting or exceeding their annual limits, you could throw hundreds to thousands of dollars down the drain.
You pay for your dental insurance every month, so why not use it? Your dentist will help you maximize your benefits to achieve optimal oral health for minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
About Dr. Charles R. Fana, Jr.
Dr. Fana achieved his dental degree from the University of Louisville and continued his education in general dentistry at the University Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL. He regularly pursues continuing education to offer the most advanced treatments. Dr. Fana accepts many dental insurances to keep his services affordable. If you have benefits you’re about to lose, contact our office today to request an appointment.
