If you’re like most people, you probably get very busy once the holiday season starts. Between year-end requirements at work, holiday parties, and gift-giving, life tends to feel rushed. Sometimes, without meaning to, you may even neglect some important things because of the holiday frenzy. One thing that people frequently neglect is their dental care, as they fail to use their dental benefits before they expire on the last day of the year.
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Millions of people with dental insurance welcome the New Year with a fresh supply of dental benefits. You may delay making your appointments in January because December seems so far away, but time has a way of sneaking up on you. Do not waste your dental benefits by letting them expire on December 31.
Whether you pay for your dental plan out of pocket, or you receive the benefits through your employer, it’s important that you understand how the benefits work. Dental benefits are not something that can be rolled over to the next year when unused. Make sure that you go through your dental benefit documents carefully before the end of the year so that you can get the most out of the premiums you pay.
You can make the most out of your dental insurance coverage by doing the following:
- Prevention is always better than preparation – Most dental plans offer 100 % coverage for preventive visits. The typical dental insurance plan allows you to see your dentist twice a year. Most dental plans also cover services that are aimed at preventing dental problems in the first place. For instance, yearly cleanings can help prevent gum disease, gingivitis, and plaque build-up. There are also ways to turn around tooth decay if your dentist catches the cavities early on in their development.
- Make your appointment early – Schedule your appointments with the dentist early on in the year. That way, you won’t let the time get away from you. Try to avoid postponing dental visits until the end of the year because offices frequently get bombarded with appointment requests as the year comes to a close. If you schedule your appointments early on in the year, you have a greater chance of reaching your deductible, which will make future dental work significantly cheaper.
- Work with your dentist for your dental needs – During your dental visit, discuss with your dentist the procedures that need to be done in order to bring your oral health to the optimal level. Schedule whatever is necessary, such as deep cleaning, filling, or other dental work. By keeping your dental maintenance on a regular schedule, you won’t be caught by surprise if future work is needed.
Do not lose your dental benefits to procrastination. You are paying the monthly premiums so that your teeth will be taken care of, so why not maximize your benefits? Thinking of dental health as negotiable is a dangerous philosophy. There are very few things more important than keeping your teeth and mouth healthy and happy. Make sure that you are making (and keeping) regular dental visits to keep your teeth beautiful and healthy for life.