Dental benefits expire at the start of the new year and any remaining balance from the previous year goes back to the insurance company. Rather than letting your available benefits go to waste, plan to visit your dentist for any treatments or dental care you may need before the end of the year. Use the guide below to make the most of your benefits and get closer to reaching your annual maximum.

A Guide to Using Dental Benefits Before the Year Ends

1. Make an Appointment for a Routine Cleaning & Exam

If you haven’t scheduled a second checkup this year, make sure to get it in before the end of December. Ask the dentist if there are any additional preventative treatments you could get that would be covered by insurance. 

Even if your first routine appointment was within the last six months, you might still be able to fit in one more teeth cleaning and exam. Most dental plans cover preventative visits every six months, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some are waiving this waiting period. Be sure to check with the dental provider.

2. Schedule Treatments Towards the End of the Year

During the appointment, the dentist may recommend certain procedures to treat dental issues or pain. If you need dental surgery, try to schedule it before 2021 is over. 

Your insurance plan should partially cover the costs of procedures like root canals, gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures. These are the types of treatments that will place you closer to the maximum.

3. Split Expensive Treatments Between Calendar Years

If you need treatment that would exceed the maximum, ask the dentist if you could split it between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. Many complex procedures, such as root canals, crowns, and bridges, require more than one appointment. You may be able to time these visits in a way that allows you to utilize your benefits for both years while limiting out-of-pocket costs.
 

If you have unused benefits from your dental plan, schedule a visit with Splendental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. This locally-owned practice offers affordable, patient-centered care to patients in Northwest Columbus, OH, Upper Arlington, Dublin, and Hilliard. Their office uses cutting-edge treatments and state-of-the-art technology to provide a full range of dental services, including routine exams and cleanings, teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, Invisalign®, and digital X-rays. Call (614) 588-0678 today or visit their website to book a dentist appointment.