It’s the end of the year! You’re probably going to spend a whole lot of time planning for and celebrating Christmas – the best holiday of the year, despite what the Halloween-lovers claim. But before you get too wrapped up in cookie recipes and gift wrapping, take a moment to think about your oral health. It is the greatest gift you can give yourself, after all.
If your dental insurance plan runs on the calendar year (as opposed to a fiscal year), then you have many good reasons to make a dental appointment before January 1st. You won’t just potentially stop a dental problem before it develops into a worse one. You will also save money – an incredibly useful thing to have during the holiday season!
Unused Benefits Don’t Roll Over
Dental benefits are like a poorly trained Labrador retriever: neither one will roll over. The dental insurance annual maximum is typically more than four figures. It also resets at the end of each 12-month benefit period. In other words, if you need dental work in December but wait until January to schedule an appointment, last year’s benefit is already gone. There is no financial advantage to having unused benefits!
Deductibles Reset at the End of Each Year
Your deductible is the amount of money you pay to your dentist before your dental plan takes effect. The amount you must pay as a deductible depends on your plan and whether your dentist is within your insurance provider’s network. Regardless of these variables, your deductible will reset at the beginning of the year. If you already paid your deductible earlier this year, you’ll have to pay it again before receiving dental care next year.
Fees Might Increase Next Year
Dentists commonly increase their fees annually in order to keep up with inflation and rising operating costs. Rising dental fees may increase your copay as well, which is why you will probably wind up spending less money for dental care you receive this year as opposed to next.
You Deserve the Benefits You Already Pay For
Dental plans typically cover 100% of the cost of preventative care. Even if you don’t need a dental filling or a root canal, you should still see a dentist every six months for routine cleaning. Dental cleanings are crucial to detecting gum disease, oral cancer and other problems before they progress and become more difficult to treat.
There Is No Benefit to Delaying Treatment
Dental issues rarely resolve themselves. If you have a cavity right now, a filling may be all that’s required to fix it. But if you let it go, you risk tooth damage, infection, and eventual loss of the entire tooth. If you are experiencing any symptoms of dental issues, next year isn’t the time to seek help. Right now is!
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Don’t delay the dental care you need to experience your best health. If you live in or near Logan, Utah, then we welcome you to schedule an appointment at All About Teeth today. Close out this year the right way – by taking care of your one and only smile!
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