The holiday season is upon us once again, which means you’re juggling several responsibilities in preparation for it. Your dentist says there is another very pressing issue that warrants your attention, though – your oral health. Are you getting the most out of your dental insurance? If not, then you’ll learn about a simple activity that will make a huge difference.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
In most cases, dental insurance is reserved for procedures that have a direct effect on your oral health. Disbursement is determined based on the following three categories:
- Preventive Care – Dental insurance companies champion any preventive care efforts, which is why they will typically pay 80 to 100% of the cost of these types of visits. The services provided can include teeth cleaning, examination and X-rays.
- Basic Care – For more involved procedures like cavity fillings, dental crown placement or dentures, the average coverage is 50 to 80%.
- Major Care – Usually, your dental insurance will cover 20 to 70% of the cost of procedures like root canals, orthodontic treatment and sedation.
How to Maximize Your Coverage
The average cost of dental insurance for an individual policy is around $350 annually, providing a maximum coverage of between $1,000 and $1,500. Unfortunately, less than three percent of those with dental insurance will meet the yearly maximum, which amounts to money and care being left on the table.
As the end of the year approaches, though, you have an opportunity to get more value from your current coverage by visiting your dentist for preventive care. As the above outline of the disbursement of coverage shows, preventive care is where you can receive the greatest value from your dental insurance.
Avoiding a Complex Problem
A prevalent issue that affects nearly 80% of adult Americans is gum disease. One of the main contributors to the condition is negligence, as bacteria that could easily be removed are allowed to accumulate and lead to decay.
Simply visiting your dentist on a regular basis can prevent related problems such as receding gum line or tooth loss that can come about when gum disease is ignored. But it all starts with taking the first step to reach out to your dentist to schedule a visit before December 31st.
Therefore, your current coverage won’t be wasted, and you can fully enjoy the best in oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Karl Arakelian earned his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Since entering the dental field, he has remained a lifelong learner by taking over a thousand hours of continuing education. Dr. Arakelian combines his years of experience with the latest dental concepts to ensure his patients receive the absolute best in care at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.
