The end of the year is approaching, and the best time to look into using your dental benefits before they are gone is now. If you’re an insured dental, you’ve probably heard the phrase “use it or lose it.” Most dental plans have this provision, which only implies that unused benefits do not roll over to the next year. At Dover Family Dentistry, we’d like to assist you in maximizing your value under your coverage, protecting your health, and saving you dollars. Here’s a brief checklist to help guide you in scheduling dental care this year:

Understand Your Dental Insurance Timeline

Among the most important planning steps is finding out your dental insurance timeline. Dental plans typically reset annually, and that is why they start on the first day of the new year. If you haven’t exhausted your benefits by 31st December, they expire.

For example, many dental plans cover two cleanings annually, but if you don’t schedule your visits, you’re allowing those benefits to expire. The trick is to understand your benefits and your clock. Take a few minutes to review your dental coverage and see what’s covered and when it expires. Don’t allow another year to pass without availing yourself of the care you’ve already paid for.

Schedule Your Preventive Care Visits

Preventive care is the least expensive way to maintain your oral health, and it’s usually completely covered by dental insurance. Procedures such as teeth cleaning, exams, and X-rays are usually covered under most policies, and some insurance companies pay for these services without any out-of-pocket cost.

It is the perfect time to schedule those routine cleanings and exams before the year’s end. Don’t forget that these visits prevent more extensive dental problems down the road, such as cavities, gum disease, and even more serious problems that can result in expensive treatments. Routine visits at Dover Family Dentistry keep your smile in tip-top shape while you maximize your dental benefits.

Take advantage of unused benefits

As the year draws to a close, you may have remaining benefits still in your plan. They can be crowns, fillings, or teeth whitening, based on what your policy includes. Most dental insurance policies allow you to use your unused benefits on required treatments like fillings or even cosmetic treatment.

If you’ve been holding out to go in for treatments, now’s the time to do it. The “use it or lose it” rule is there, so if you wait until January, those benefits will be lost. Scheduling an appointment now enables you to address minor issues before they turn into big ones. Even if you don’t need a lot of work, schedule an appointment for a check-up or a cleaning so your benefits aren’t wasted.

Plan Big Treatments

If you have big dental treatments, including a root canal or crown, planning is crucial. Sometimes these treatments take two calendar years, and that means you can potentially apply benefits from both years to help offset expenses. For instance, you might start a procedure in December and finish it in January, using benefits from one year to offset some of the expense and benefits from another year to offset some of the expense.

We at Dover Family Dentistry are more than happy to walk you through the process and assist in maximizing your dental benefits. Contact us about how to schedule more extensive procedures in a way that will provide you with the greatest benefits. 

Avoid the Year-End Rush

At the end of the year, most people rush to get appointments, and it becomes even more challenging to find vacancies. Scheduling in advance with your visits will save you from falling into the end-of-year rush and help you receive the care that you need at a time best suited to you. Delaying might mean losing the opportunity to use your benefits.

Booking your appointment in advance will also take the stress off your mind, as it will have your dental maintenance done for the year. And it’s a great way to start the new year off with a healthy grin!

The “use it or lose it” policy is an invitation to use your dental insurance before it is up for renewal. By scheduling your preventive maintenance visits, you use your benefits for care you require, get the most from your dental benefits, and save money.

Don’t let unused benefits slip away from you – call us today to make your appointment before year’s end!