Oct
Dental insurance provides an excellent opportunity to keep your teeth and gums healthy. By preventing issues, like tooth decay, from developing in the first place, you reduce your long-term costs for care. Unfortunately, one-third of adults do not see their dentist in Orlando twice a year despite the American Dental Association recommending semi-annual appointments for a cleaning and checkup. If you are among those who delay seeing their dentist until after a problem arises, you are placing your oral health at risk. Not to mention, you are not using your dental benefits, throwing thousands of dollars down the drain every year.
By paying your monthly premiums, you have access to comprehensive dental benefits to save money on the services you need. Depending on your specific policy, you can see your dentist twice a year for no out-of-pocket expense. Routine visits allow your dentist to detect issues early to provide quick intervention. Although many feel cleanings and checkups are unnecessary, they provide a cost-saving opportunity. Every $1 spent on preventive care can save you $8 to $50 on emergency and restorative services.
In addition to preventive dentistry, you are also given a yearly allowance. After paying your annual deductible, your insurance policy can cover as much as 80% of restorative treatments. You can quickly treat dental complications, like cavities and gum disease while minimizing the amount you must pay.
To make the most of your insurance, it is recommended you choose a dentist who is in-network. This means they have pre-negotiated rates with your insurance company to lower the cost of their services, but you can still choose one that is out-of-network. You can use your insurance, but you will need to pay the difference between the dentist’s fees and your allowable coverage.
It is estimated less than 3% of Americans meet or exceed their dental benefits every year. If you are among those who do not use them all, you are losing money. At the end of the year, your benefits expire. They do not carry over for accumulation. You will also waste the money you have paid in premiums and deductibles while missing a key opportunity to reduce your long-term costs by keeping your smile healthy.
As the end of the year approaches, take the time to visit your dentist to maximize the value of your policy. If you have any out-of-pocket expenses, CareCredit allows you to pay the balance using low monthly payments that accommodate your budget.
Don’t have insurance? Don’t worry. Open enrollment is just around the corner. You can harness the savings power of dental insurance by picking a policy that is right for you.
Dr. John Russo strives to provide affordable dental care to the community. He is in-network with many leading insurance carriers to keep the cost of services within your budget. If you have remaining benefits, do not let them expire. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.