End of the Year Dental Benefits
It’s almost the end of 2013, and we’re nearing the sugar-filled holiday known as Halloween. Besides eating all of that candy in moderation (it is possible), another thing you should do is make an appointment with your dentist! It may not be the most exciting way to spend your Monday afternoon, but you could potentially save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before you ring in the new year of 2014. Although some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most (possibly yours) run on a calendar year. If it does, check out these five reasons to schedule a check-up for your pearly whites.
- Yearly Maximum — This is the maximum amount of money that your dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one year. Although the maximum varies between insurance companies, the average is around $1,000 a year, for each person underneath the plan. This renews each year (on the first of January if your plan follows a calendar year), providing another $1,000 for the next 12 months. If you have unused benefits from the previous year, they won’t rollover to 2014. So, get your money’s worth and schedule an appointment!
- Deductible — This is a term for the amount of money you have to pay your dentist—out of pocket—before your insurance company will pay to take care of your teeth. Again, the amount varies between insurance companies and their plans, and could be costly if you choose an out-of-network dentist. Luckily, the average deductible for a dental insurance plan falls around $50 each year. If you’ve already paid your deductible for this year and still don’t believe you need to see the dentist, think again: your deductible will start again next year.
- Premiums — If you are paying the premiums for your dental insurance each month out of the year, you should take advantage of your benefits. Even if you don’t have a cavity and aren’t in need of a root canal, be sure to regularly schedule your dental cleanings. These cleanings, when maintained, help prevent and can detect early signs of cavities, gingivitis, oral cancer, and other dental issues.
- Don’t Avoid your Problems —If you decide to delay treatment for what might be a simple cavity, you risk a more extensive and expensive treatment down the line. You may think that your simple toothache is nothing of consequence, when it’s actually a cavity waiting to worsen into a root canal.
Depending on your insurance and the yearly plan it follows, you will be better off scheduling an appointment with an Orlando dentist you can trust, like the ones here at Winter Garden Smiles. Visit our website or call an Orlando dentist today at 407-614-5955 to schedule a check-up for your teeth, and take advantage of your end of the year benefits.
